Instruction Manual
*This feature may not be implemented in the initial series. 02/2019 PowErBox rEcEivEr Dear customer, we are delighted that you have decided to purchase a PowerBox receiver, which almost certainly repre-
sents the most highly developed and most advanced transmitting and receiving system for your valuab-
le models available anywhere in the modelling world. Unprecedented range in the 2.4 GHz band, and ultra-fast, ultra-precise data transfer in both directions - these are the outstanding features of this radio system. 1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION If you study the specifications closely, it is clear that PowerBox receivers are by no means receivers in the usual sense; they are transceivers. They are capable of transmitting and receiving at the same data rate and the same range as the associated system transmitter. All PowerBox receivers feature a radio chip, but an essential difference is the integral pre-amplifier, which is one of the factors which make the systems extremely long range possible. The PowerBox radio link is a hopping system which uses at least 66 of 198 possible channels. An intelligent hopping sequence is employed, ensuring interference-free operation even when the frequency band is heavily used. The suffix S or D/E indicates the number of radio units installed in the receiver. The D and E types PBR-
8E, PBR-9D and PBR-26D incorporate two fully independent receive / transmit units. Other systems feature two aerials, switching between them 50-50, but if one aerial loses the signal, 50% of the information is inevitably lost; our design does not suffer that drawback. There are also no switching diodes which have a damping effect on the signal as it arrives; this has a particularly adverse effect on the radio chip. In contrast, both the receive units in PowerBox receivers pick up the data packet in undamped form, and subject it to a full analysis. If one of the two packets contain errors, or if the signal strength is poor, or if the signal is completely absent, the data packet picked up by the other receive unit is used, and passed to the servo outputs or digital outputs. The result is a 100% signal even if one aerial is completely blocked. FEATURES:
+ 2.4 GHz receiver matching the CORE radio control system
+ one or two receive units
+ extreme interference rejection
+ ultra-long range
+ high-performance real-time telemetry
+ integral telemetry for reception quality and battery voltage 2. FEATURES AND CONNECTIONS 7. INSTALLATION, DEPLOYING THE AERIALS All PowerBox receivers are manufactured using the SMT method, and are therefore extremely resistant to vibration and shock. In most models the receivers can simply be attached to a smooth surface inside the model using double-sided adhesive tape. The ideal method of aerial deployment varies greatly according to the model, the fuselage material and the receivers position in the model. For most cases we recommend routing the aerials out of the fuse-
lage, as this guarantees optimum reception regardless of the materials of which the model is made. 8. OTHER SETTINGS The receiver offer a number of optional settings which can be selected at the transmitter and sent via the radio link:
Frame rate*: this defines the servo signal repeat frequency. The default value for this setting is 18ms. As an option, the data output can be set to any of three types*: FastTrack, SRXL, channel 8 / 10 (PBR7S / 9D) Hold / Failsafe: this is selected in the transmitters Function menu. 9. NOTES ON OPERATION All PowerBox receivers are able to transmit battery voltage and reception quality by default. The follo-
wing values are transmitted:
Battery voltage: this shows the voltage present at the servo sockets. Please note: if you are using a regulated battery backer, the value shown here is the regulated voltage, not the battery voltage. RSSI: this value shows the input level at the aerial, and is displayed in dBm - a logarithmic power value. LQI: this value indicates the reception quality in percentage form. The value is calculated by the receiver, based on the number of lost data packets and the power level over time. LQI is a very instructive value providing information about the quality of the radio link. In order to monitor it fully, we recommend that you set up a widget at the Telemetry screen showing the LQI value, and set an alarm threshold of 60% to 70%. This ensures that any reception problem immediately triggers an alarm to make you aware of the situation. FastTrack / data connection P-BUS telemetry and servo port 10. SPECIFICATION Frequency Operating voltage PBR-5S PBR-7S PBR-8E 2.4GHz 4.0 - 9.0V PBR-9D PBR-26D Number of transmitted channels 26 (at the P-BUS interface) PWM outputs 3. POWER SUPPLY LED To ensure that PBR receivers are as compact as possible, they are not fitted with dedicated power sup-
ply sockets. The power supply should always be connected to one of the front servo outputs; use a Y-lead if none of these sockets is vacant. The data sockets of the PBR-7S and PBR-9D should not be used for the power supply, as the maximum current they can handle is 5A. 4. BINDING The receivers can be bound using either of two methods:
a) Connect the receiver first The LED now flashes rapidly for about ten seconds. Press Bind at the transmitter, and the transmitter and receiver are bound. If you do not press Bind within ten seconds, the receiver LED switches to a slower flashing rate. At this point the receiver can no longer be bound to the transmitter unless the power supply is first disconnected. b) Press Bind at the transmitter first After this you connect the receiver to a power supply: the transmitter now binds with the receiver. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SOCKETS a) PWM outputs A1 - I9 The PWM outputs are sequentially numbered from 1-9, but are also assigned the letters A-I. As an option, you can also set the receiver outputs to generate different channel numbers. For example, the PBR-9D can be set to generate outputs 10 - 19 as well as channels 1 - 9.*
b) P-BUS This interface is used for the external ultra-fast P-BUS telemetry system and digital servo output. When the system is switched on, all the sensors connected to this socket are scanned, and displayed at the transmitter. The P-BUS socket can also be used for updating the receiver using the USB interface adapter. c) FastTrack / Data By default this socket is set to SRXL; this digital servo signal can be processed by many gyros and battery backers, and therefore acts as a universal interface for third-party accessories. However, this socket can also be employed for real-time sensors (FastTrack), which can be used for directly controlling or regulating the servo outputs. A typical use is for the iGyro SAT.*
6. MEANING OF THE LED DISPLAY The integral LED can indicate various types of receiver status:
continuous green light: the receiver is bound to the transmitter; signal strength is adequate flashing rapidly green: the receiver is waiting for a binding signal flashing slowly red: the receiver is picking up no signal Number of PWM outputs Servo output resolution Number of receive units Range (line of sight) Telemetry P-BUS telemetry interface FastTrack interface Parameter setting from the radio Dimensions Weight Temperature range 11. SET CONTENTS 5 1 yes no yes 7 1 yes yes yes 8 4096 steps (12-bit) 2
> 9km yes no no no 9 2 yes yes yes 0 2 yes yes yes 44x20x12mm 52x22x12mm 62x25x17mm 57x27x12mm 48x25x10mm 7g 12g 16g 17g 10g
-10C to +85C
- PowerBox receiver
- adhesive pad
- Operating instructions in German and English 12. SERVICE NOTE We make every effort to provide a good service to our customers, and have established a Support Forum which covers all queries relating to our products. It gives you the opportunity to obtain help quickly all round the clock - even at weekends. All the answers are provided by the PowerBox Team, guaranteeing that the information is correct. Please use the Support Forum before you contact us by telephone:
www.forum.powerbox-systems.com 13. GUARANTEE CONDITIONS We are able to grant a 36 month guarantee on our PowerBox receiver from the initial date of purchase. The guarantee covers proven material faults, which will be corrected by us at no charge to you. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by incorrect usage, e.g. reverse polarity, excessive vibra-
tion, excessive voltage, damp, fuel, and short-circuits. The same applies to defects due to severe wear. 14. LIABILITY EXCLUSION We are not in a position to ensure that you observe our instructions regarding installation of the Power-
Box receiver, fullfil the recommended conditions when using the unit, or maintain the entire radio control system competently. For this reason we deny liability for loss, damage or costs which arise due to the use or operation of the PowerBox receiver, or which are connected with such use in any way. Regardless of the legal arguments employed, our obligation to pay damages is limited to the invoice total of our products which were invol-
ved in the event, insofar as this is deemed legally permissible. We wish you loads of fun with your new PowerBox receiver!
Donauwoerth, February 2019 PowerBox-Systems GmbH certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 Ludwig-Auer-Strae 5 D-86609 Donauwoerth Germany
+49-906-99 99 9-200
+49-906-99 99 9-209 www.powerbox-systems.com