RFDesign RFD TX User manual

www.rfdesign.com.au
RFD TX Module
User’s Manual
RFDesign Pty Ltd
7/1 Stockwell Place
Archerfield, QLD 4108
rfdesign.com.au

RFD TX Module User Manual
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Table of contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Product Description ................................................................................................................2
1.2 Getting to know the product ..................................................................................................2
2 RC –TX Module Compatibility ........................................................................................................4
3 Getting Started................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Radio Controller Configuration...............................................................................................5
3.2 TX Module Configuration........................................................................................................5
3.2.1 Configuration Webpage..................................................................................................6
3.2.2 WiFi Configuration ..........................................................................................................6
3.2.3 TX Module Internal RFD900x Modem settings.............................................................11
3.3 Vehicle Modem.....................................................................................................................17
4 Ground control station software ..................................................................................................18
5 Antenna Recommendation...........................................................................................................19
6 Technical Specifications ................................................................................................................20
6.1 TX Module Power Consumption...........................................................................................20
6.2 Modem Specification............................................................................................................20
6.3 WiFi Specifications................................................................................................................21
6.4 Radio Controller Interface.....................................................................................................22
6.5 Physical Dimensions..............................................................................................................22
7 Useful Links ...................................................................................................................................23
8 Revision History ............................................................................................................................24

RFD TX Module User Manual
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1Introduction
1.1 Product Description
The RFD TX Module has been designed to work in conjunction with the Taranis X9D Radio Controller
(RC) from FrSky and other compatible controllers. The RFD TX Module transmits the PPM stream from
the controller to the vehicle via the RF Design long range telemetry modems while also receiving
telemetry data received from the aircraft which can be broadcast to a computer or smart device
through the TX Module’s built in WiFi module.
1.2 Getting to know the product
Figure 2 - TX Module Part Description
Figure 1 - Typical Application Diagram.
*Components not to scale

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Table 1 - TX Module Description
#
Description /Note
1
Antenna
connectors
For further information about the antennas, refer to section 5 in this document
or to the RFD 900x Modem datasheet linked in section 7.
2
Heat sink
The heatsink, visible through the top cover is required for proper operation and
should not be covered while the unit is in use.
3
Status LEDs
Red
Blinks slowly a few times - indicates establishing link to a WiFi client.
Blinks rapidly for some time - flashing the modem firmware
Solid - device initialisation has completed
Green
Blinking –RFD modem looking for a link
Solid –RFD modem bound to another modem
4
Button
Press 5 times within 5 seconds to reset all WiFi settings to default values.
5
Tabs
To lock the TX Module into the radio control socket.
6
RC and
TX Module
Interface. ∗
a
PPM
Sends RC data into TX Module.
b
+6 V
6V supply positive terminal (not used by the module)
c
+Bat
Positive battery terminal (supply for the module)**
d
GND
Ground
e
-
Not connected
∗Interface between RC and TX Module is done through a female 0.1”pitch connector.
** See Table 2 below for module supply ratings and section 6.1 for the relation between battery voltage and
current draw with different battery types.
Table 2 - TX Module Supply Ratings
Parameter
Minimum
Maximum
Units
Supply Voltage (+Bat relative to GND)
+5
+18
V
Operating Current Draw
N/A
1.2*
A
∗Rating for TX Module with RFD modem set for maximum 1W transmit power measured at 5V supply.

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2RC –TX Module Compatibility
The TX Module has been designed to fit into the rear expansion bay of an FrSky Taranis X9D Plus.
However, it might be compatible with other transmitters. To ensure compatibility, check that the
dimensions of the slot and the pin configuration of the connector at the back of your RC match those
specified for the module in this section and Table 1. For detailed information on the TX Module
dimensions refer to section 6.5.
Figure 3 - RC External RF module slot dimensions.

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3Getting Started
The RFD TX Module has five elements requiring configuration before operating.
-Radio Controller (RC) configuration
-TX Module Wi-Fi access configuration
-TX Module RFD900x Radio Configuration
-Vehicle (paired) RFD 900x modem configuration
-Ground Control Station (GCS) configuration
3.1 Radio Controller Configuration
a) Enable PPM mode on radio controller
The TARANIS X9D PLUS radio controller (RC) is used as a guide to describe this section. For specific
instructions on activating this mode on other RCs refer to the manufacture’s manual for the device.
Please check for transmitter - RFD TX Module compatibility and ensure it supports the same interface
pinout specified in Table 1 and physical dimensions described in section 2 and section 6.5.
For a TARANIS X9D PLUS switch on the RC and choose the vehicle you intend to operate. Navigate to
the Model Setup submenu and scroll down until you find the External RF configuration section, as
shown in figure 4, then choose “Mode PPM” to enable external PPM stream for the TX Module.
Figure 4 - PPM mode configuration on TARANIS X9D PLUS RC.
3.2 TX Module Configuration
With the RC switched off, remove the rear protective cover from the radio controller and insert the
TX Module. Ensure the TX Module is inserted fully into the opening and the two tabs have locked the
in place.
Switch on and observe the TX Module’s LEDs. The red LED will blink and then go solid during the
power up sequence, as per Table 1, and the green LED will indicate the state of the modem link.
The communication settings for both the WiFi and RFD telemetry links are described below.

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3.2.1 Configuration Webpage
Figure 6 Configuration home page
The configuration home page provides basic information on the RF Design TX module, such as
software versions and MAC and IP addresses, as well as links to the various configuration pages. It can
be accessed by directly addressing the IP address of the module, by default in access point (AP) mode
this is 192.168.4.1, in a web browser. Alternatively, it can be accessed by the address http://TXMOD-
XX-XX-XX.local where the Xs are the same as the Xs in the access point network name i.e. the last 6
digits of the MAC address. It should be noted that this will require the installation of some support
software for correct operation, for detail please see section 3.2.2 d) TX module as station.
3.2.2 WiFi Configuration
An active WiFi connection is used to configure the TX Module. On first power up, the TX Module will
default to Access point mode, with SSID of the format ‘TXMOD-XX-XX-XX’, where the XX are unique
hexadecimal characters relating to the unit MAC address.
a) Connect to TX Module Access Point
Use your computer or smart device to search for and connect to the access point WiFi network
generated by the TX Module (use ‘txmod123’as default password). It may be necessary to disable
mobile data on tablets and phones to force the browser to use the TX Module network.

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Figure 7 - Network settings. A) Windows 8.1. B) Android.
b) First run wizard
The easiest way to set up your TX Module for its initial use is with the First Run Wizard from the
home page. See figure 6.
The wizard, see figure 8, will guide you through several steps for getting your module configured for
use.
Figure 8 - First run wizard
c) Change Network Settings

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To change the SSID or password, open a web browser and enter the module’s IP address by default in
AP mode http://192.168.4.1/ This will display the TX Module configuration. To change the WiFi
settings click on ‘Edit WiFi/Network Setup’ to access the WiFi setup interface of figure 9.
Figure 9 -WiFi settings configuration page.

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Table 2 - WiFi Settings Description
Parameter
Description
WiFi mode
This sets the module to act as an access point (default) or as a station on an existing
access point, such as a home network.
AP SSID
Is the SSID used for creating the access point.
AP
Password
This is the password that will be used for the access point. It must be a minimum of
8 character long
WiFi
Channel
Allows the user to set the channel as per the WiFi 802.11 standard definitions this
can be used as needed to prevent interference or meet the requirements of the
network that the module is joining. The default is channel 11 a part of the most
commonly used channel set of 1, 6 and 11.
StationSSID
The SSID of the network that the TX Module should attempt to join.
Station
Password
The password of the network that the TX Module should attempt to join.
Station IP
The static IP address to assign the TX Module when joining the network. (Note this
may require appropriate settings to be made on the network router. Once assigned
as a station the landing page for the TX Module settings becomes the Station IP
address that was assigned.)
Station
Gateway
The Gateway IP address of the network that the TX Module should attempt to join.
Station
Subnet
The Subnet Mask of the network that the TX Module should attempt to join as a
station.
Host Port
This is the UDP host port number. This is the port that you will direct a connection
to in UDP mode
Client Port
This is the UDP client port number.
Baudrate
Baudrate of the serial link with the modem. It must match the modem serial speed
setting to allow the two to communicate.
After changing the desired settings, press save. To finalise the changes power cycle the transmitter.
Note that changes to the network settings may result in you needing to change the WiFi connection
that you use in order to connect to the module e.g. selecting the new WiFi name or force the system
to forget an old password then enter the new one.
d) TX Module as a station
To use the TX Module on an existing WiFi network to provide telemetry data to a GCS while still
allowing access to the internet, for example to download maps, there are a couple of possible
implementations.
Basic users
For Windows and Linux users this will require the installation of some support software Bonjour
Services from Apple for Windows (https://support.apple.com/kb/DL999?locale=en_US) and Avahi for
Linux. Windows users may also need to use to use Chrome (or Chrome based) browser as this has
good support for the Apple software.
Once this has been installed connect to the TX Module in default AP mode go to WiFi settings and
choose ‘Station’ in ‘WiFi Mode’, set the correct SSID (in StationSSID) and password of the network in