tbs electronics CROSSFIRE (XF) User manual

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TBS CROSSFIRE R/C System Revision 2017-11-07
Adaptive   Long   Range   Remote   Control   System
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The TBS CROSSFIRE (XF) system is a R/C link system made for FPV enthusiasts. It features unheard of range
without sacrificing basic functionality such as being immune to interference from onboard equipment, low
latency control or two-way communications including telemetry functionality.
Key features
• Long range, adaptive and robust remote control system for your aircraft
• Immune to on-board noise
• Two-way communication link with real-time link vitals and telemetry
• Self-healing frequency hopping link
• Receiver beacon mode to recover your downed aircraft
• Super easy binding and configuration via built-in OLED display or TBS TANGO remote
• Low latency control for perfect immersive feeling
• Free output mappable 8 output diversity with integrated backup battery or super tiny receiver ( 4g
weight only ) both with up to 12 channel PPM
• Ability to fly with multiple friends at the same time (10 or more)
• Dynamic self-selecting or selectable RF power from 10mW to 2W (local restrictions apply)
• Dedicated head-tracking input option for full FPV immersion
• Transmitter LED shows link health, OLED display for built in configuration
• Expansion port for future feature support 
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1
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Table of content
Attention
Overview
Setup
Connecting CROSSFIRE Standard Transmitter to radio
Using JR-adapter
Using Hitec/Graupner/JR-cable
Using Futaba-cable
Using custom PPM cable
Connecting CROSSFIRE Micro transmitter to radio
Push button functionality
Connecting CROSSFIRE Diversity receiver
Connecting CROSSFIRE Micro receiver
Connecting antenna
Binding
Head-tracking
Set failsafe
BST Connectivity with TBS equipment
Control UNIFY PRO VTX with SmartAudio
Antenna
Operation
Status display
Up- and downlink status
Find mode
Direction finder
How does find mode work
Testing find mode
Preparations
Simulating flight
Simulating a Crash
Search and rescue
Link regained
Transmitter LED status indicator
Receiver LED status indicator
Real-time telemetry using app link
Configuration
Standard transmitter configuration
Micro transmitter configuration
Receiver
PWM or PPM servo output
Receiver SBUS output
Receiver RSSI or/and LQ output
Serial bridge
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2
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MAVLink
MAVLink APM
Disable telemetry
CRSF
Transmission power
Dynamic transmission power
Transmission frequency
Operating modes
RF Profiles
Re-bind receiver
CRSF Connectivity with flight controller (COLIBRI)
Minimum requirements
Wiring layout
Setting up radio for CRSF
Setting up receiver for CRSF
Configuring BetaFlight for CRSF protocol
Discovering telemetry data sensors
Remote configuration of CORE PRO / CROSSFIRE RX from radio
Requirements
Setup
Telemetry
Firmware upgrade
Installing TBS Agent
Over-The-Air software updates
Emergency update
FAQ
Good practices
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3
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Specifications
Type:
Long Range Two-Way Remote Control System
Band:
Europe: 868 MHz SRD Band
America: 915 MHz ISM Band
Output RF power:
Micro TX: Selectable 25mW and 100mW
Standard TX: Selectable 10mW to 500mW, additional 1W and 2W available
with external power connected via XT30 socket
RX: 30mW
Receiver sensitivity:
Up to -130dBm
Antenna:
TX: 1x omnidirectional dipole antenna - single stage
RX: 2x omnidirectional dipole antennas - diversity, dual independent RF
stages
R/C Channels:
8-channel traditional PWM (freely mappable ) or up to 12-channel PPM
stream outputs, standard 2.54mm servo connectors
Radio compatibility:
Any radio with PPM stream output ( absolute max. ratings: -0.3V - 15V )
JR Adapter for easy install on JR, FrSky and similar radios
Interface:
Micro TX: RGB LED light, push button, configuration via CRSF (TBS TANGO,
OpenTX ect. )
Standard TX: 1.3-inch OLED display and joystick for configuration, binding
and link stats, real-time telemetry link to any computer, tablet or phone and
Micro-USB for firmware upgrade and configuration via TBS Agent software
Recovery mode:
Diversity RX: Beacon-mode, receiver backup LiPo battery - operating time of
approx. 2 days
Failsafe:
Pre-set servo positions or stops outputting servo pulse - selectable in
configuration menu or via push button
Antenna connector:
Standard SMA (not RP-SMA)
Operating range:
Variable depending on output power and radio environment
Input power:
TX: +3.5 to 12.6V via RC or HT 3-pin input connector, External 2S to 3S LiPo
via XT30 connector (standard RX only)
RX: +4.5V to 8.4V via servo header
All reverse-polarity protected
Power consumption:
TX: 1.1W, at 25mW
TX: 3.2W, at 2000mW
Ports:
Standard RX: 1x BST (the CROSSFIRE RX does not power the BST line), 8x
Servo connectors - Micro RX: V1 1x Servo, 1x BST, V2 4x Servo, 1x BST
Working temperature:
0 - 40°C
Size:
Standard TX: 150 x 80 x 20 mm, Micro TX: 73 x 56 x 35 mm
Diversity RX: 30 x 50 x 12 mm, Micro RX: 40 x 14 x 9.5mm
Weight:
Micro TX: 38 grams
Standard TX: 340 grams
Diversity RX: 25 grams, Micro RX: 3.2 grams
Kit contents:
1x TBS CROSSFIRE TX transceiver unit, 1x TBS CROSSFIRE RX transceiver unit,
1x JR-adapter module, 1x Futaba-cable, 1x JR-cable, 1x custom-cable, 1x XT30
cable, 1x Transmitter SMA antenna, 2x Receiver SMA antenna
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4
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Attention
These Long Range Systems are capable to use radio frequency transmissions and output power that may
be not allowed in your country.
Please always check your local RF legislation to set the frequency and output power according with
the regulation.
A general rule for RC aircrafts is that they must be controlled always under sight of view, check your RC
regulation to keep up to date with regulations.
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5
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Overview
The following diagram indicates the essential inputs and features of the transmitter and receiver.
Standard transmitter module
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Diversity receiver unit
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6
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Micro transmitter module
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Micro receiver unit
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7
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Setup
Getting set up and ready to fly is a quick and simple task. In most cases plug&play when using common
R/C equipment.
Connecting CROSSFIRE Standard Transmitter to radio
Using JR-adapter
The kit comes with a JR-adapter which simply works as a connection bridge between the JR-pins on the
radio and the TBS CROSSFIRE transmitter. The adapter simply fits into the slot on the back of the radio. The
radio battery power to the TBS CROSSFIRE and no additional power is necessary for RF output up to
500mW.

Insert the JR-adapter into the slot on the back of the radio, remove the adhesive sheet from the TBS
CROSSFIRE back and align the four studs with the matching holes on the transmitter. Connect the 3-pin to
the left port (RC) and 6-pin cable (expansion) to the right port on the transmitter.


8





Power on the radio, configure a new model profile and enable the external RF module - see the radio
manufacturers manual for further details on how to complete this step.
Using Hitec/Graupner/JR-cable
If you own a Hitec, Graupner or JR radio without a JR-module slot, you can still use the trainer output
connector to get the necessary power and PPM control signals to the TBS CROSSFIRE transmitter.
Connect the included cable to the radio trainer port and the other end to the left port (RC) on the
transmitter.

 


9




Using Futaba-cable
For Futaba radios you can use the trainer port to feed the PPM signal to the TBS CROSSFIRE transmitter.
Connect the included cable to the radio trainer port and the other end to the left port (RC) on the
transmitter.

Using custom PPM cable
If you want to connect any other radio, or have a custom setup, you can use the 3-pin pigtail-cable and
solder the wires according to the table below to suite your needs.

Radio pin (left in photo above)
TBS CROSSFIRE 3-pin cable
White - PPM
1 - PPM
Red - Power
2 - Power
Black - Ground
3 - Ground

 


10




Connecting CROSSFIRE Micro transmitter to radio
The CROSSFIRE Micro TX has a standard JR-form factor and works with any radio that supports PPM-stream
and/or TBS CRSF-format output. Transmitter power is selectable between 25mW and 100mWi and TX
status is shown using a RGB LED lite behind the push button. Frequency band 868 MHz and 915 MHz are
supported.

Push button functionality
If there is no link (LED pulsing orange ):
• Long press: Toggle frequency between 868 MHz and 915 MHz. Once changed it will blink white 1x
for 868 MHz and 2x for 915 MHz.
• Short press: Enter bind-mode (LED blinking green ▀  ▀  ▀).
If the receivers needs to be updated it will start blinking blue (■ ■ ■ ■). Press the button again
to confirm. The update will start and the LED will be solid blue (▀▀▀) until the update is complete.
Once update is complete the LED will turn solid green (▀▀▀) or orange (▀▀▀). 
If there is a link (LED solid green ▀▀▀ or orange ▀▀▀):
• Long press: Set failsafe
Configuration of the internal settings (region, output power, dynamic power, and operation mode) is done
via any remote supporting CRSF (TBS TANGO, OpenTX ect.) remote, detailed later in the manual under
Configuration.
 


11




The CROSSFIRE Micro TX module fits perfectly on the back of the TBS TANGO FPV remote. It clips easily in
place and can use the telemetry compatible CRSF-format between the module and radio.



 


12




Connecting CROSSFIRE Diversity receiver

The compact receiver unit fits everything from small multirotors to very large airplanes. The receiver is
capable up to 8.4V and needs at least 4.5V input voltage. This can be applied to any of the eight servo
headers, e.g. a servo cable from a ESC with BEC, or a stand-alone BEC, with a suitable amperage rating -
min. 1A recommended. Make sure that adequate power is available by letting the model run for a few
minutes with servos connected, and check your BEC temperature.
If you want to connect additional TBS products to you setup, e.g. CORE PRO, CURRENT SENSOR, BLACKBOX
and GPS, we are providing a 4-way BST splitter adapter to connect everything together.
The receiver servo header pin-polarity is standard and shown in the photo below. All the power pins are
reverse-polarity protected.
 


13




Connecting CROSSFIRE Micro receiver
V1: 
The TBS CROSSFIRE micro receiver comes with two sockets. One is for BST capability (BlackSheep
Telemetry),  the other is for one (1) R/C output which can be configured to either PWM, PPM or SBUS. The
receiver can run off anything between 4.5V and 8.4V and can either drive one servo, or connect to any PPM
or SBUS capable flight control. Binding the receiver to the transmitter is described on the next page and is
the same as the diversity receiver.
V1: 
CleanFlight pilots with a STM32F1 processor board (e.g. Naze32 and similar) can select the “n.i. SBUS”
(Not-Inverted SBUS) to directly connect to your FC without any inverters or special soldering hacks.
Connecting antenna
The CROSSFIRE system used regular SMA connectors - where the antenna has the center pin. Connect the
supplied antennas to the SMA connectors on the transmitter and receiver. The straight connector is for the
transmitter and the other two for the diversity receiver.
For optimal radio coverage and range, mount the receiver antennas perpendicular (90°) to each other.
Caution: It is never safe to run a RF transmitting device without an antenna, regardless if it is the
transmitter or receiver as both function as transceivers in this system. The absolute maximum rating for
the receiving part is +10dBm, so if you use high power settings (>500mW ) and hold the antennas (TX and
RX) very close together the RX can be damaged. 


14




Binding
Binding the transmitter and receiver is super simple.
1. Just power up the TBS CROSSFIRE transmitter
2. On the standard transmitter, enter the configuration menu by pressing and holding the joystick for
3 seconds, select “General” and “Binding” - a message “Binding” will start blinking, waiting for the
receiver. On the micro transmitter, a short press on the button will initiate binding mode.
3. Now, power up the receiver (without pressing the Bind button!), if your receiver has not been
previously bound, it will automatically bind. Otherwise, press and release the “BIND” button on the
receiver to initiate binding. On the receiver is a timeout of one minute for after power up to enter
bind mode. If the status LED will start blinking slowly you the receiver has switched successfully to
bind mode. 


Within a few seconds the process will finish with a “Binding complete” message. The receiver has now
stored the unique serial number of that particular CROSSFIRE transmitter. If it doesn’t bind, please verify
that your firmware is to the newest version on both the receiver and the transmitter.
Head-tracking
The standard TBS CROSSFIRE transmitter supports standard head-tracking input via the right 3-pin HT port.
Solder the included pigtail cable to suite your particular head-tracking setup. Only a two wire connection
between TBS CROSSFIRE and the head-tracker is required. The PPM feed from the head-tracker needs to
be connected to the PPM pin of the PPM pin and ground need to be connected to ground of the 3-pin PPM
cable.
The status display will indicate if the signal has been recognized properly.  Inside the menu under
headtracker, two functions for pan and tilt are freely mappable. Each function has a source and
destination selection. The selected channel under source will replace the channel selected unter
destination. This gives you the ability to map your head-tracker channels from any channel of the
head-tracker input to the RC link frame. 


15
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

Set failsafe
Setting the R/C failsafe parameters is a very important part of the configuration, don't skip it! You never
know when you will have problems with uplink and lose control of your aircraft.
1. Power up both the transmitter and receiver
2. Adjust the radio stick positions or trims to the desired failsafe position, i.e. low throttle, flat glide
angle or failsafe mode on your flight control. Make sure no propellers are mounted - just in case.
3. On the standard transmitter, there are two ways to set failsafe, either simply press the joystick Up
for 3 seconds, or enter the configuration menu by pressing and holding the joystick for 3 seconds,
select “General” and “Set failsafe” - this will transfer the current R/C control parameters to the
receiver which will store them internally.
On the micro transmitter, a long press on the button will set the failsafe parameters.
4. Try the failsafe by turning off the transmitter and watch the servo outputs engage in the pre-set
failsafe positions
BST Connectivity with TBS equipment
There is an issue when you want to run BST devices like the GPS or BLACKBOX direct without a CORE PRO.
Most of the BST devices needs 5V which the CORE PRO provides. You can also power the BST line by using
the TBS 3-way splitter with a servo header to connect a 5V regulator or BEC. The CROSSFIRE RX does not
power the BST line when 5V is applied to the servo connectors.
The following explains the required power needs:
●TBS BLACKBOX - Can be powered by the BST 5V or by the Flight Controller over the ext. FC port
●TBS GPS - Can only be powered by the BST 5V
●TBS CURRENT SENSOR -  Provides VBatt but needs BST 5V to run itself
●TBS CROSSFIRE RX - Can be powered over one of the eight servo connectors or by BST 5V
●TBS CORE PRO / FPVISION - This is only device is providing 5V on the BST line
Power type:
BST 5V
VBATT
ESC BEC 5V
FC 5V
TBS CROSSFIRE
✔ PWR IN

✔ PWR IN

TBS BLACKBOX
✔ PWR IN


✔ PWR IN
TBS GPS
✔ PWR IN



TBS CORE PRO / FPVISION
✔ PWR OUT
✔ PWR IN


TBS CURRENT SENSOR
✔ PWR IN
✔ PWR OUT


TBS BULLETPROOF ESC (SET)


✔ PWR OUT

 


16
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TBS BST DEVICES - Power Connectivity
Sept. 2015 - by ivc.no/tbs
GPS
COMPASS
TBS CORE
PNP PRO
CAM
BST
RSSI
BST
VTX
LINK
B-PWR
USB
UP ENTER DN
XT60
XT60
XT60
PWR
IN
BST
PWR
OUT
XT60
BST BST
TBS BLACKBOX
SD Card Ext FC
telemetry distribution
CH 1 + - CH 2 + - CH 3 + - CH 4 + - CH 5 + - CH 6 + - CH 7 + - CH 8 + -
ANT 1 ANT 2
TRB CROSSFIRE
true connectivity
Bind
B-LiPo Status
USB BST
NAZA
4WAY
SPLITTER
BST BST
TBS BLACKBOX
SD Card Ext FC
telemetry distribution
CH 1 + - CH 2 + - CH 3 + - CH 4 + - CH 5 + - CH 6 + - CH 7 + - CH 8 + -
ANT 1 ANT 2
TRB CROSSFIRE
true connectivity
Bind
B-LiPo Status
USB BST
GPS
CORE PRO supplies 5V power to all BST devices
Flight Controller provides 5V via ESC/BEC to all devices
Note: CROSSFIRE requires 400mA
PMU
5V

TBS CROSSFIRE - Find Mode Operation
Sept. 2015 - by Remo

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
Control UNIFY PRO VTX with SmartAudio
After the Sept. 2017 firmware update, the CROSSFIRE RX Micro V2 (DIVERSITY RX not supported) can be
directly connected to a TBS UNIFY PRO video transmitter and be controlled using our SmartAudio
technology. SmartAudio provides UART and I2C control for your video transmitter. Parameters such as
output power, bands, channels and frequency can be freely controlled. This enables remote channel
control directly from your radio (TBS CROSSFIRE OLED display, TBS TANGO with TBS CROSSFIRE or OpenTX
compatible remote), from the OSD (e.g. TBS CORE PRO) or a smart device/mobile (TBS CROSSFIRE TX with
bluetooth or wifi module required).
The setup is easy and simply requires the CROSSFIRE RX SIGNAL-pin and GND to be connected to the
UNIFY AUD and GND, respectively. You need to make a custom cable for this.
You also need to configure the CROSSFIRE RX channel mapping to output “SmartAudio” on the specific
output channel, see the “Configuration” chapter later on in this manual on how to access- and navigate the
menu. 
Antenna

Transmitter antenna

Diversity receiver antenna
The TBS CROSSFIRE kit comes with standard dipole antennas, these are perfect for normal flying. Metallic
objects, such as cables or handles, should be kept away from the antenna while it is in use, from both the
transmitter and the receiver. 
The amount of clearance required is higher for lower frequencies than it is for higher frequencies. To
achieve the best range possible, the 900 MHz antenna needs to be almost 60% higher compared to a
normal 2.4GHz setup. In normal use try to hold the radio fairly high off the ground and with the antenna
vertical, without straining yourself of course. This is also a good technique you can use to quickly improve
the RF transmission if the link is about to fail or you briefly lost the signal. Standing on a hillside or on top
of a slope also helps to improve the conditions and range.
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17
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Correct transmitter antenna mounting direction
The receiver antennas for the CROSSFIRE Micro Receiver is by necessity smaller and simpler. To remove
and replace the antenna, remove the heat-shrink tubing with a small scissor or cutting plier. Disconnect
the small U.FL connector and replace with a new replacement.
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Micro receiver antenna with U.FL connector 
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18
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