Are you having issues setting up your crossfire system? Setting up a control system can be daunting and complicated. Fpv is a hobby that is very DIY and customizable, making it harder to find very precise instructions. In this blog, I’ll explain the basic workings of the crossfire system so that you can more easily set up your future drones. Here's what you need to know.
System
Crossfire is a radio control system made by Team BlackSheep, it’s a sub Gig system that uses 2-way self healing to allow you to operate long-range and close to interference prone environments. In North America, we use the 915mHz frequency, in Europe and Asia, 868MHz is used. This is only to follow local radio band usage.
The lower frequency gives you more range and signal penetration for flights in non-ideal radio environments compared to the standard 2,4GHz.
All of the equipment marked crossfire is compatible with the new and old equipment. The tracer equipment is not compatible with crossfire.
Wiring
Crossfire receivers have more pads than your traditional receiver, those pads are for features like Mavlink, telemetry based controls for Ardupilot. Here’s what the nano Rx looks like :
The Gnd, 5V in, Ch1 out (Tx) & Ch2 out (Rx) are your standard control uart. This is what you would use if you just wanted to use the receiver for telemetry and control on Betaflight, Inav & Ardupilot. Ch 3 & 4 out are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) outputs, used for servo outputs, MavLink telemetry or RSSI output. The BST ports are used for communication for other TBS devices.
When Wiring the receiver, you’ll want to connect Channel 1 out to the RX pad on your flight controller and Channel 2 out to the Tx pad. (Tx=transmit Rx=receive, connect Tx to Rx and Rx to Tx to have a working receiver).
Update & Configuration
Your TBS products can be updated via the TBS agent software and the modules. To start, you’ll need a computer and a data USB cable. You can use 2 versions of the agent, Web and X. Agent web is a web based software that allows you to manage and update your devices. Agent X is a software installed directly on your device. They both have the same capabilities, so use the one that fits best for you.
You’ll need to update your transmitter side (Controller, Module) first. Connect to the TBS Agent, and select the most recent stable firmware and update.
Once done, you’ll need to connect to your receiver (By binding or connecting normally) and then you’ll be able to update your receiver with the same version as your controller.
In the agent, you can also change settings for your devices more easily than through your controller menu.
Setting up your Crossfire system doesn't have to be a daunting task! By understanding the basics of the system, its components, and the update process, you can confidently configure your drone for long-range and interference-resistant flights. Remember to update your transmitter first, followed by your receiver, ensuring both are running the same firmware version. With the right knowledge and a little patience, you'll be soaring through the skies with your Crossfire system in no time!