RoyalWay-tech Rlink User manual

Rlink 16-chan UHF long range radio system
Quick Start Guide v1.1.2
Revision history：
2013.12.16 v1.1.0
2014.01.24 v1.1.2
for hardware v1.0/v1.1 and firmware v1.1.2 or above
Thank you for purchasing this RoyalWay-tech product. Please conform to
the manual strictly to set up the Rlink to your aircraft.
Rlink is a highly expandable system, our engineers will keep improving and
extending new functions, you can download the latest manual and firmware
from our official site: www.royalway-tech.com
Due to unforeseen changes or product upgrades, the information contained
in this manual is subject to change without notice.

Features：
The first UHF solution support 16-chan perfectly, proven with Taranis X9D and Jeti DC16.
Based on the latest RF solution, super high sensitivity as -115dBm.
Proven robust super fast frequency hopping algorithm, combined with Unique ID for every module(RAFHSS),
ensure the excellent interference-immunity capacity.
Support nearly all radios in the market from 2 channels to 18 channels if there is a trainer port included.
Low and high power mode switchable(400mw and 800mw)
Failsafe set in the Tx side by simply pressing one button.
Support both 2-axis and 3-axis head-tracker directly, and randomly mapping the tracking channel among
the 16 channels.
Support 2 PPM source input separately and randomly mapping
Support 1 Tx to multiple Rxs and multiple Txs to 1 Rx.
Frequency band configurable among 410-510Mhz(default 431-441Mhz).
MicroUSB port included for configuration and firmware update, no need extra flash tools,
no need any driver installed, support all OS systems,super easy to use.
EXT port for extension, support Futaba Sbus and Spektrum/JR Satellite port and plan to
support Joystick control, etc.
Dual-direction communication is ready.
Rich audio warnings for low voltage, wrong PPM connection or input, power switch, failsafe
setting, binding, etc.
Custom brushed metal case, well shielded and good heat dissipation, the lightest weight(64g
only) make it easy to set up to your radio and won’t affect the COG.
Diversity receiver with dual LED indicators, greatly improve performance.
CPPM output in separated channel in the Rx side.
RSSI output(analog buffered) in separated channel in the Rx side.
Can-bus interface included in the Rx side for extension.
Custom antennas with low VSWR for best performance.
Different receivers to choose for different applications
Fully tested with Futaba, Spektrum/JR, Turnigy/Flysky/imax 9x2, Frsky Taranis, Jeti, TDF, walkera, etc..

Spectations:
TX：
Size:73*65*15mm
Weight:64g
Working voltage:7-16v
Current:180ma@12v, low power mode
360ma@12v, high power mode
RX：
Size：45*30*6mm
Weight：16g
Voltage：4-6v
Current：75ma@5v
Assembly & Connection：
The Rlink can be set up to any radio with trainer port in the market (or with PPM signal output pin),
the internal circuit can adjust all types of PPM signals(low and high, positive or negative etc) to the
standard 3V3 PPM signal. A small module called Rlink-companion will be released soon as PWM/Sbus encoder(super
low latency) to connect your current radio receiver and Rlink Tx to make up a relay system without any change
of your current radio system, at the meantime, avoid the interference between UHF tx and some video Rxs.
Tx：

As above shows, the Tx module support 2 PPM signals input with 4-pin Molex connectors(the pins’
definition are as above), the 2 PPM sources could be radio or head-tracker or any other PPM generator.The
2 PPM source could be merged into 1 PPM output with 16 channels at most.
The RC port is the prior PPM input source, if you only plug one PPM signal to the Tx module, please
connect to this port.
The HT port is the second PPM source input, default to be the head-tracker port, could also be another
radio’s PPM input.
The 2 PPM input interfaces share the same pins’ definition, can be powered at the same time, the Tx
module will choose the higher voltage source automatically.
Please make sure the PPM signal is correct, make sure the Tx antenna is connected before power on, if
the PPM signal input is not right, the Tx will beep and the LED will flash slowly to indicate the wrongly
input. Please check the connection and your radio settings(some old radios with PCM module need to set the
radio to PPM mode).
Please check the appendix for more information
Rx：
The Rlink rx is more or less the same as normal 2.4G receivers, but the diversity antennas are connected
with SMA connectors, recommend to set up as “V” shape in your aircraft, and make sure the antennas have
no touch with any metal, carbon or any other conductive object. When the rx is connected with too many servos
or the servos are too big and draw too much current, you need to use a separated UBEC to power the Rlink

rx to ensure the performance. The Rlink should be placed away from video tx, ESC and big amp cables, some
bad shielded step-up modules and naked cameras emit wide band UHF noise, which should be kept distance also.
You can also choose our optional receiver antennas with extended cable to keep distance to avoid the
unwanted interference.
When the Rlink rx is working normally, the blue or red LED will flash fast to indicate which antenna
is chose(blue LED--Ant1, red LED--Ant2), the switch of the diversity antennas is very sensitive and fast,
you can use the indicator functions to choose better antennas or adjust the setting angles of the antennas
for best reception.
The CPPM output port can be used with any controller support PPM input(MFD autopilot, DJI Naza,WKM,YS-X4
etc).
The RSSI port output buffered analog RSSI signal(0-3.3v), the output can be configured to base on the
digital RSSI or the right packet ratio, you can switch them by short press of the button on the rx during
the first 10 seconds after power on.
Bind：
1）Press the Bind button on the Rx and power on, the red and blue LED on the rx will flash alternately,
which means the Rx enter the binding mode.
2）Put the Low/Hi switch to Hi position,press and hold the Bind/FS button on the Tx and power on, the LED
of the Tx will flash slowly at a rate of 2 times per second, which means the tx enter the binding mode,
short press the Bind/FS button to transmit one time of binding information.
3）If the blue and red LED on the Rx flash simultaneously at a rate of 1 time per second which means the
binding is done.
4）Cycle the power of the Tx module to check if the Rx is receiving signal and working properly.
5）When the binding process is ready, if the Tx and Rx is too close, in low possibility the Tx and Rx hoping
steps may be not synchronous when power on, keep a distance of 3 meters and cycle the power of Tx or Rx
will get it work, once they are synchronous,the tx and rx can be close and won’t be affected.
Range check:
1) Put the Low/Hi switch to Low position,press and hold the Bind/FS button on the Tx and power on, there
will be 4 long beeps audio from the buzzer built in, which means the Tx enter the micro power mode, the
power will be decreased by 25dBm around, you can do a range test or an investigation to your on-board
interference.
2) Don’t forget to cycle the power of the Tx to exit the micro power mode before flight.
Failsafe setting：
Rlink support failsafe setting in all channels, and the setting is done on the Tx side, so you no need to stretch
out your Rx from deep inside of your aircraft, also you can set the failsafe during the flight by simply press the
Bind/FS button for 1 second. After 1 second of signal lost, the Rlink Rx will enter failsafe mode and output failsafe
position for every channel.
1)Make sure the Tx and Rx module are binding successfully and working normally.
2)Move your sticks of radio to the failsafe position, hold and press the Bind/FS button for around 1 second
until you hear beeps as”Di-Di-Di” from the Tx and then release, the Tx will transmit one time of failsafe
positions.
3)Power of your radio, and check if the failsafe setting is successful and right.
Definition of buzzer and LED indicators：
Tx：

1）Top red LED flash fast, which means the Tx module is working and transmitting signal.
2）Top red LED flash fast, and the buzzer beep continuously, which means the failsafe signal is transmitting.
3）Top red LED flash slowly and the buzzer beep as”Di-Dong”,which means the PPM signal input is wrong.
4）The Buzzer beep as”Di-Di-Dong”, which means the voltage is lower than the Voltage Low or higher than
the voltage High you set in the configure file.You need to charge or change the battery.
5）The Red LED on the top flash 1 long time and 2 short times with a long beep from the buzzer every second,
which means the configure file is wrong, please check the configure file parameters.
6) The bottom red LED light on, which means the USB connecting is done.
Rx：
1）The blue and red LED flash alternately, which means the Rx enter the binding mode.
2）The blue and red LED flash synchronously, which means the the Rx is ready and waiting for the signal.
3）The blue or red LED flash fast, which means the the Rx is working and receiving signal.
4）The red LED near the USB is light on,which means the USB connecting is done.
5）The Red LED on the rx flash 1 long time and 2 short time, which means the configure file is wrong, please
check the configure file parameters.
Configurations for Tx & Rx modules：
The Rlink Tx and Rx module can be easily configured for different applications, you don’t need to install
any software extra or any flash tool, what you need is only a MicroUSB cable(which is used normally with
your smart phone) to connect to your computer, smart phone or pad with OTG function(no matter what OS, just
if it can support U disk).
Tx：
Switch the stick to Hi on the Tx and connect to computer, the Tx module will be identified as an U disk
named CONFIG by your computer,open the disk and you will find a file named tx.cf, open the file with excel
as below:
Version：firmware version, it’s invalid for any revision, determined only by the firmware.
ID：Unique 16-bit ID for every Tx module, this is pre-defined by factory, invalid for any revision,
range:1-65535.
Frequency Band：The frequency hopping band, it was set among 433-435Mhz as above shows, you can adjust
the band according to your local laws, mostly, the wider the band is, the higher anti-interference capacity,
but it will also weaken the gain of the antenna. The minimum band width is 2Mhz, for example, you can set
it to 433-435Mhz. The valid setting range is 410-510Mhz.The setting of frequency band on Tx and Rx end should
be the same, or they can’t binded and work normally.
Remote power switch：This is used to switch the Low and high power mode, when you place Rlink tx module
away from you using an extension cable or use Rlink-companion(or other relay device), which makes you can’t
switch low and high power mode immediately, you can define one channel’s stick on your radio to be the
low and high power mode switch. For example, you can set channel 5(which maps to a 2-position switch on

your radio) as your mode switch, the original switch on the Rlink Tx module will be invalid in this situation,
when it set to be 0, default to be disabled.
Channel maximum number：The maximum channel number you want to transmit, range: 2-16 which means 2-16
channels.The more channel you use, the more data you need to transmit, and the lower sensitivity for the
Rx end, normally, the 8-chan setting will be more sensitive than 16-chan by 1-2dBm. So please keep the channel
number as small as possible for best performance. This setting on Tx and rx end should be the same, or they
will can’t be binded and work normally.
Mapping：The PPM signal input from the HT port, and the mapping in the merge PPM stream, if there is no
PPM signal connected to this port, it’s default to be 0. For example, if there is a 2-axis head-tracker
was connected to the HT port, and output in channel 5 and channel 6, and the RC port was connected a 6-chan
low-end radio, then we can merge the HT port and map them to channel 7 and channel 8, which is equally to
a 8-chan high-end radio, the setting is as below:
If the RC port was connected a 8-chan radio, and the HT port was connected a 6-chan radio, and we only need
the channel 1,2,4 to control the gimbals, and we need 11 channels in total, then we can set as below:
ID Slave: default to be 0, the ID is the slave ID sent by the master Tx module.
ID Slave enable：default to be 0, which means the Tx module is in master mode, the Tx ID will work with
the original ID; if set to be 1, which means the Tx mode is in slave mode, and the Tx will work with the
Slave ID which sent by the master Tx, this function is used to bind multiple Txs to 1 Rx.
Voltage High: the maximum voltage, if the input voltage is higher than the voltage value, the Tx will start
warnings.(Because of the accuracy of the resistors, the voltage value may be a little higher or lower, you
may need to adjust it a little.)
Voltage Low: the lowest voltage value, if the input voltage is lower than the voltage value, the Tx will
start warnings.(Because of the accuracy of the resistors, the voltage value may be a little higher or lower,
you may need to adjust it a little.)

RX：
Connect the RX to computer with the MicroUSB cable, the RX will be identified as a U disk named CONFIG,
open the disk, and you will find a file named rx.cf, open it with excel as below:
Version：firmware version, it’s invalid for any revision, determined only by the firmware.
ID：default to be 0, range 0-65535, the ID of binded TX module.
Frequency Band：The frequency hopping band, it was set among 431-441Mhz as above shows, you can adjust
the band according to your local laws, mostly, the wider the band is, the higher anti-interference capacity,
but it will also weaken the gain of the antenna. The minimum band width is 2Mhz, for example, you can set
it to 433-435Mhz. The valid setting range is 410-510Mhz.The setting of frequency band on Tx and Rx end should
be the same, or they can’t binded and work normally.
Channel maxim number：the channel number of the binded Tx, it should be set the same as the TX module,
or the Tx and Rx can’t be binded, and can’t working normally.
PWM Sequence：this is used to set the sequence of the output PWM channels of the RX, you can map any
channel to any PWM output port from chan1 to chan16.
PPM Sequence: this is used to set the sequence of the PPM output port channel mapping.
Normally in the market, the first 4 channels of vary radios are different, for example:
1. JR radios and similar：1(Throttle)，2(Aile)，3(Elev)，4(Rudd)，5(Gear)，6(Aux1)
2. Futaba, SD and similar:1(Aile)，2(Elev)，3(Throttle)，4(Rudd)，5(Gear)，6(Aux1)
3. Walkera 2801/devo radio:1(Elev)，2(Aile)，3(Throttle)，4(Rudd)，5(Gear)，6(Aux1)
And lots of controller(Naza, WKM, YS-X4, X6) may support PPM single cable input, but mostly, they only support
futaba sequence,With the Rlink system, you can define all the radios to the same output sequence, for example,
I want to change the JR radio to the Futaba radio sequence, we can set as below:
Since most of the controllers for multi-rotor or fix-wing already support PPM input, so if you are using
the Taranis radios, you can set as below to get a total 16 channels in one Rx.

You can utilize this function for more applications.
When you need to use PWM channels more than 8, you need to bind 2 RXs as a 16-chan(9-16chan) receiver.
For example, when you need a 14-chan receiver, you can bind them to a 14-chan Tx and set the 2 Rxs as below:
Firmware update：
Rlink is equipped with 32-bit high speed MCU and can-bus with infinitely extension capacity , we will keep
improving and extending more functions through releasing new firmwares.
It’s very easy to update the firmware.
Update for TX module：
Move the power switch to Low mode, connect the TX module to your computer with the MicroUSB cable, the
TX module will be identified as a U disk named bootloader, copy the new firmware(.bin) file to this vacant
U disk, when the top red LED is on and then off, remove the USB cable, and cycle the power of the TX to
complete the update.
Update for RX module：

Press the button of the RX module, connect the Rx module to computer with the MicroUSB cable, the RX
will be identified as a U disk named bootloader, copy the new firmware(.bin) file to this vacant U disk,
when done, remove the USB cable and cycle the power of the RX to complete the update.
Appendix：The definitions of common radios in the market
Normally we can get PPM signal from trainer port, but some old radios with removable RF module can output
PPM signal from the RF pins also. For example:
Futaba，TDF:
JR，Flysky，Turnigy, Imax, Tarinis。

We have shielded cables custom for common radios in the market:
Plug and play cable for Futaba radios with square trainer port:
Plug and play cable for Turnigy/Imax/Flysky 9x2, 9XR, frsky Taranis, JR 3801, 9x2 and similar:

Plug and play cable for JR/Spektrum or other radios with DSC trainer port:(Put the power switch of your
radio in off mode, once plug the DSC cable, your radio will be power on automatically.)
(You need to offer power extra through the red(+) and black(-)wires)
You can get definitions of the trainer port for more radios here： http://www.mftech.de/buchsen_en.htm