Team Blacksheep CROSSFIRE User manual
TBS CROSSFIRE R/C System Revision 2020-10-08
Adaptive Long Range Remote Control System
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, OpenTX LUA or TBS TANGO remote
• Low latency control for perfect immersive feeling
• Free output mappable outputs diversity
• Ability to fly with multiple friends at the same time (10 or more)
• Dynamic self-selecting or selectable RF power (local restrictions apply)
• Dedicated head-tracking input option for full FPV immersion (Standard/ Lite TX only)
• Transmitter LED shows link health, OLED display for built in configuration (Standard/ Lite TX only)
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Table of content
Attention
Getting ready
FAQ
Note
Updating
Hardware overview
Standard Tx pinout
Radio connection
JR-bay radios
Other radios
Antennas
Antenna cover
Adapter boards
FrSky inverter mod
Which transmitter is affected by this?
How to install the inverter mod
Software mod
General functions
Binding
General note/ model match
When do i need to bind again
Binding issue (Double green flashing)
Transmitter
Receiver
Receiver Update (OTA)
Auto Bind
Multi bind
How to set it up
Failsafe setup
General setup
2
Cut
Failsafe position
Transmission frequency
Transmission power
Operating modes
Transmitter LED status indicator
Receiver LED status indicator
MyVTX
RC over MAVLink
Special functions - Standard/ Lite TX only
External power
Status display
Up- and downlink status
Oled Menu
Find Mode
Real time telemetry by Bluetooth
Head-tracking
Receiver functions
Output map
CRSf
Serial
SBUS
N.i. SBUS
MAVLink
PWM (Ch X)
PPM
DSMX
RSSI
LQ
RSSI/LQ
Smart Audio
3
Channel number
RF Profile
Telemetry
Available sensors with OpenTX
Missing sensors
In-built Voltage monitoring
Bst connection
Additional informations
TBS CLOUD
Menu
Initiate the WiFi module
Connection to a WiFi hotspot
OTA update of the WiFi Module
Opentx setup for crossfire
LQ warning in OpenTX
Model match in OpenTX (and FreedomTx on Tango 2)
Vtx connection by CRSF
Vtx connection by SmartAudio
Smart Audio or CRSF for the VTx?
VTx button is not working
Connection to an FC
General wiring
CRSF with BetaFlight and similar firmwares
CRSF with KISS/ FETTEC
Any other FC
BST to Eagletree Vector
Mavlink with MAV FC’s
Wireless configuration with ArduPilot/ PX4 by Bluetooth
Wireless configuration with ArduPilot/ PX4 by WiFi
Wireless telemetry
Bluetooth
4
WiFi
WiFi telemetry with BetaFlight/ INav
Wireless configuration with BetaFlight/ Inav by Bluetooth
Signal strength in Betaflight - BF < 4.1 and DJI OSD
Signal strength in Betaflight - BF 4.1 and later
Signal strength in INav
Link States
LQ
RSSI
SNR
Warning levels
What should i use in my OSD or radio
Racing environment
Factory reset
Emergency Update
FLARM
What you need
Getting a license
Activation of a license
Status display
Settings
OSD
Flarm in action
FAQ
5
Specifications
Type:
Long Range Two-Way Remote Control System
Band:
Europe: 868 MHz SRD Band
America: 915 MHz ISM Band
RF power
Radio Signal &
Telemetry downlink:
Micro TX V1: Selectable 25mW to 250mW
Micro TX V2: Selectable 25mW to 1W
Standard/ Lite TX: Selectable 10mW to 2W
Diversity, Micro and Nano RX: 40mW
Receiver sensitivity:
Up to -130dBm
Antenna:
TX: 1x omnidirectional dipole antenna
RX: depends on the receiver type (U.fl or SMA)
R/C Channels:
8 (Diversity/ nano Diversity)/ 4(6) (Micro/Nano RX) PWM (freely mappable )
or up to 12-channel PPM stream outputs, standard 2.54mm servo
connectors
Radio compatibility:
Any radio with PPM stream output (Standard/ Lite Tx only)
Any radio with JR-style bay. OpenTX recommended
Interface:
Micro TX: RGB LED light, push button, configuration via CRSF (TBS TANGO,
OpenTX ect. ), WiFi
Standard TX: 1.3-inch OLED display and joystick for configuration, binding
and link stats, Bluetooth, WiFi
Recovery mode:
(Nano) 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:
TX: Standard SMA, Standard Diversity rx: RP-SMA, U.fl (Micro/ Nano receiver)
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)
Diversity RX: +4.5V to 8.4V
Nano Rx’s: +4.5V to 8.4V (down to 3.3V possible, but not recommended)
All reverse-polarity protected, compatible for 2s Lipo direct
Power consumption:
TX: 1.1W, at 25mW
TX: 3.2W, at 2000mW
Diversity RX: 1.5W / Micro/Nano RX: 1W
Ports:
Diversity 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 -
Nano RX: 2x Pin-headers for 1x BST and 4x Servo
Nano Div. Rx: 2x Pin-headers for 1x BST and 8x Servo
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: 38g, Standard TX: 340g,
Diversity RX: 25 grams, Micro RX: 3.2 grams
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Attention
These Long Range Systems are capable of 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 to
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.
Getting ready
Getting set up and ready to fly is a quick and simple task. In most cases plug&play when using TBS
equipment.
FAQ
If you got any question after reading this manual you should visit the TBS FAQ section
Note
This manual is written based on
Crossfire FW 4.00
. If some functions are not available for you, please
update your Crossfire to this (Beta) or a later version.
Updating
In order to update and configure your Crossfire, you need the TBS Agent X, which you can download from
the TBS shop.
To update your Crossfire, connect it by the USB-port of the transmitter and run the update by Agent X.
The receiver will then get the update while the next binding (details can be found in the receiver update
section)
For detailed instructions on how to use the Agent X, have a look at the Agent X manual.
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Hardware overview
The following diagram indicates the essential inputs and features of the transmitters and receivers.
Standard/ Lite transmitter module:
Diversity receiver unit:
8
Micro transmitter module (V1 + V2):
The Micro Tx V2 has the same features and layout as the V1 but with a USB-C connector
Nano transmitter module :
The Nano transmitter includes the same internals and functions as the Micro Tx V2. It is designed to fit into
the mini-modul bay of newer FrSky radios, Tango 2 modul bay and any other radio with the mini-modul
bay.
If you already own a Micro Tx V2 you can get a retro-fit set to change the housing from JR-style to
Mini modul style. The internals remain the same. Get yours at TBS
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Micro receiver:
Nano receiver:
10
Nano receiver pwm version:
This Rx is the same as the Nano Rx but with 6 servo connectors installed. This Saves you the need for the
PWM adapter board.
Nano Diversity rx:
Standard Tx pinout
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Radio connection
JR-bay radios
If you use a radio with standard jr-bay style module bay, you can easily plug the Crossfire transmitters into
them.
JR-bay issue
When you have set up everything properly in OpenTX but your module still stays off, the radio pins did not
slide into the Crossfire Tx. In this case you can bend all the pins in the JR bay just a little bit to the right or
left side and plug the module bag in.
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Other radios
If you own a radio without a JR-bay, you need to use the Standard/ Lite transmitter with their input pins
for many trainer-port connectors, which you then connect to the RC In plug.
Note: over this connection you can not use CRSF between your radio and the Crossfire Tx. If your radio
supports CRSF, you need to feed the signal wire in the plug on the right. Check the Tx pinout for details.
Hitec/Graupner/JR-cable
Futaba-cable
Custom PPM cable
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Antennas
You got a big variety of antennas for your transmitter and receiver. The antennas that come with your
devices work fine and don’t need to be replaced in general. Depending on your environment, your drone
and your purpose, you can change them anyway. Here are some of them:
Flexible antenna
MicroVee antenna
PCB Race antenna
Other antennas can be found at the TBS webshop or on VideoAerialSystems.
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Antenna cover
If you order your Crossfire transmitter after mid 2020, you will notice a cover over the antenna.
The antenne can be turned by 90° (both directions) to align it with your receiver antenne. If you want to
use a different one or just detach it after the flight, you need to unscrew the cover and break it.
This will not void your warranty
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Adapter boards
There are many ways of installing the Crossfire Rx into a model like these mounting boards:
On some of them you can connect a Unify Nano32 with the Crossfire receiver and use the CRSF connection
to control the VTx.
FrSky inverter mod
When you receive your Crossfire transmitter,there is a small inverter chip included. This chip is a hardware
mod that you can build into your FrSky radio to use the full communication speed between your radio and
the Crossfire Tx as some of them only have a slow transistor instead of an inverter chip included.
This mod is not necessary for the Crossfire to operate properly with your radio but it helps with “Sensor
lost” messages on certain radios as well as not properly working LUA scripts.
This modification requires a good soldering skill and will void your radios warranty. If you don’t feel
comfortable with this, use the software mod instead.
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Which transmitter is affected by this?
The older QX7 radio from FrSky with the S-Port pin at the bottom of the radio.
Newer ACCESS radios and older radios than the QX7 (with bottom S-Port pin) don’t need this hardware
mod.
How to install the inverter mod
There is a detailed how-to available at phillip seidels blog
Software mod
Instead of installing the hardware mod, you can simply lower the speed on which the radio communicates
with your radio.
Navigate in your radio settings to the
Hardware
tab and set the
Max Baud
setting from 400000 to 115000.
If your radio is know to not need this soft/ hardware mod, the BaudRate setting is not available
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General functions
Binding
Binding a receiver to your Crossfire is an easy task and does not require 3 hands or any special jumpering.
General note/ model match
You will notice that you can control any r/c model, even if you changed the model in your radio. This is
caused by the fact that the Crossfire does not monitor the radio model. This means you have to make sure
that you selected the right model in your radio before you power up the receiver.
If you are used to FrSky, it’s the same behavior as when you set your receiver number to 00 in the mode
settings (with FrSky receivers)
Model matching with the Crossfire and OpenTX is being tested.
When do i need to bind again
There are a few cases when you need to rebind your transmitter to the receiver:
●You changed the region/ frequency setting*
●You updated your transmitter firmware
●You enabled multi-bind*
●You did a factory-reset on the receiver
* you can avoid a rebind, if you change these settings while the receiver is bound and powered up.
Binding issue (Double green flashing)
If you get a double green flashing pattern on the receiver after updating or binding, you got an
authentication error. To solve this issue:
●Shut down the receiver
●Set the Tx in bind mode
●Power up the receiver
●Push the
Bind
button on the Rx
After the binding the pattern may return but should be gone after a few seconds.
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Transmitter
First you need to set your transmitter in bind mode. For this you got a variety of options, depending on the
radio and transmitter type you use:
Lua script (OpenTX radio only):
1. Turn on your radio
2. Navigate to the Crossfire lua script and
execute it
3. Open the
Crossfire Transmitter
4. Scroll down to
Bind
and hit enter
TBS Tango 1:
1. Turn on your radio
2. Hold the rocker switch to enter the main
menu
3. Scroll down to
Devices
4. Under
Crossfire Transmitter
5. Click on
Bind
Agent X:
1. Connect your transmitter to the Agent X by
USB
2. Open the Crossfire Transmitter (
Manage
)
3. Navigate to the
Configure
tab
4. Under
Device
, click on
Bind
Button (Micro TX):
1. Power up the transmitter
2. Push the button of the Micro TX once
Oled Display (Standard/ Lite TX):
1. Hold the joystick down till the menu opens
up
2. Open the
Crossfire Transmitter
3. Navigate to
General
4. Scroll down to
Bind
and click on the
joystick
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Receiver
After your transmitter is in bind mode, you need to do the same with the receiver. This procedure is the
same for all receiver types available:
1. Power up the receiver
2. Within 1 minute, push the bind button on the receiver
Receiver Update (OTA)
Depending on the firmware on your transmitter and the receiver, you might need to update your receiver.
With the transmitter and the receiver both in bind mode, you then will get a message on the radio/ Agent
X, telling you that the receiver needs to be updated. Follow the instructions shown there. The firmware will
be sent to the receiver over the air (OTA). When the transmission is finished, the receiver flashes itself.
After this, they are bound and ready to be used.
Auto Bind
When you update your transmitter firmware, you need to rebind the receiver in order to run the OTA
update. In this case, you don’t need to hit the bind button on the receiver again, when he was bound
before:
1. Power up your transmitter
2. Set it in bind mode
3. Power up the receiver
4. Wait a few seconds
5. Now you should get the update prompt without pressing the receiver bind button again
Multi bind
Since fw 3.71 you can use all your transmitters on all your receivers without rebinding them each time.
This is useful if you own more than one transmitter module or an external module and a Tango II etc.
Make sure you initiated your WiFi module before!
How to set it up
Update your CROSSFIRE TX to FW 3.71 (or later) by
Agent X. If you can’t see the required FW version,
click on the 3 dots in the top right corner and
check
“include beta releases”.
Make sure that the WiFi module is powered up as
well (standard tx).
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Table of contents
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