RC Protocols Explained Simply (PWM, PPM, SBUS, CRSF, MAVLINK, SmartPort and others)

[@Videolinquency]

Eminently informative. The number of question marks eliminated per minute is amazing. Thank you for doing this.

[@peterfelecan3639]

Excellent introduction; this is how your channel has plenty of treasures in the domain.

[@ocdraridrogonel]

Thank you I've learned so much as if this were a course in high school or college.

[@tomWil245]

Very clear explanation. Thanks! Awesome! Helped me to clarify a few things for my Long-Range VTOL Project.

[@ChrisRoddick]

Have been using CRSF (TBS) for years and have to say that it's absolutely solid and simple to use. Also use it in my gas (petrol) planes mainly for safety reasons given it's clean signal!

[@rongeernaert1208]

Very clear info for RC protocols !🤠

[@CrashRecovery]

Thanks Lee. I work remotely for an online hobby shop and I always send customers looking for info and how-tos to your channel.

[@WillRiskAll]

thanks

[@swapshots4427]

Thanks. I'm just getting started and it is huuuge learning curve. A Notebook and Pause often.

[@Painless360]

Lots of stuff on the channel aimed at newer pilots and builders. All of those videos '.. for beginners' and 'Introduction to..' as well as '... explained simply' are made with the minimum of jargon and as much plain English as I can use.. Happy flying!

[@swapshots4427]

@@Painless360 Thanks. I picked this hobby up 3 years ago but stopped fairly soon after. But not before buying lots of gear. Now I am again watching, ordering, watching agin,...and again. And taking notes.

[@MrVasmikey]

Lee, you never cease to amaze with your content. I am absolutely impressed with this video which keeps our understanding of the different protocols fresh in our minds. Having been in this hobby for 40 years I have seen these develop over time but so many do not understand the various ways to communicate with servos and other devices.

[@Navigator777777]

AMEN! I think I know a lot about a lot of stuff.......but I've gotta learn RC and FPV the hard way! ;-)

[@michaelroberts26]

Thanks Lee, you have a wonderful knack for simplifying complex technical stuff. Have been using 3rd party (orange)spektrum protocol with sbus for flight controllers but difficulty to get reliable micro receivers for this. Will now give CRSF a try so I can utilise smartport for telemetry feedback. Great video content Lee, Thanks

[@Painless360]

That sounds like a good plan. Spektrum isn't great at supporting pilots who want to step outside their companies technology... Happy flying

[@fd2237]

Very intuitive, thank you Lee!

[@captjohnny]

This is exactly what I was looking for...too bad hobby shops can't express themselves like you!

[@miguelangelpozo47]

Excellent video makes everything easy to understand.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic video as always, Lee! Thanks a bunch!!! 😃 ELRS is just killing it. I'm definitely going to get a Boxer and some receivers as soon as I can! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Graham1904]

Brilliant explanations. Great for noobs

[@spitfire7617]

I have an Aura 5 lite stabilizer in all my planes. Its connected using sbus to FrSky and Radiomaster receivers. The Aura doesn't support CRSF but now ELRS 3.3 supports sbus I am able to use ELRS. I was also using a FrSky battery sensor to send back cell voltage via the s.port to my TX but don't see how I can replace that using ELRS.

[@Painless360]

Stay tuned, latest ExpressLRS recievers have a port to offer connection to sensors...

[@yakacm]

I've just got in to the hobby, I'm in my late 50's and I am from an IT/maker background, and TBH I have been really surprised at how mature everything is. Take Spektrum radios for instance, I have an NX8 which I still see a lot of folk talking about as being new, yet it's not touchscreen and doesn't have have USB C. The DX models are positively ancient, but are still in widespread use. I know the Spektrum IX do have touchscreen and USB C, but for the money, I was very surprised my NX8 didn't have these features. It's also interesting that the cheaper Chinese stuff is so good, for instance the Radiomaster tx16s is a beast.

[@Painless360]

The 'old-school' vendors like Spektrum, Futaba (and even FrSky now!) are set on pilots only using their hardware and technology. They rely on pilots buying into the brand and staying with them as they upgrade. The issue with vendors like this is that they don't embrace open standards and allow for easy integration with the modern hobby. Vendors like RadioMaster, Jumper and others that make radios powered by EdgeTX work with the key projects that large parts of the modern hobby uses (Betaflight, INAV, Ardupilot, ExpressLRS, HD FPV systems, 3rd party developers and the community. For me, that is what I am looking for from a vendor, not one who just wants to trap you with their hardware and technology. The downside for all that new 'open' technology is that you need to use resources like KZbin and the forums to get the best from them as they don't put the same time into manuals and support. For some, that makes these open systems too hard to manage. Happy flying!

[@yakacm]

@@Painless360 Wow thanks for the long reply and on an old video too. I can't believe this was 6 months ago already. I'm re-watching a lot of stuff as I've just got interested in ELRS and FPV. The thing is thou, I am looking at using FPV and ELRS on helis. I'm just trying to work out the best way to do that, I'm thinking SBUS or UART. I don't need ELRS as I'm just flying indoors ATM, so I'm looking at flying one of my micro helis around the house from the living room, lol. Sounds a bit mad but it's good fun.

[@TobiKellner]

Lee, thank you very much for putting these out! Did you release this at 6am?!? Anyway, really helpful!

[@Painless360]

Videos are usually scheduled for 6am so fans have something to watch on the bus! Happy flying!

[@typxxilps]

@@Painless360 I prefer that early bird catches the worm schedule too cause in the morning here in europe not many videos are released but from noon on it gets crazy cause so many channels have moved to later release hours from earlier one. I am happy with those early bird ones. Great video about the basics that got forgotten over time.

[@Painless360]

A lot of channels do this to try and do the same thing for the USA and Canada audience. I've never played those games on this channel.. Happy flying!

[@LeonMatthews]

I've always assumed he did it for the benefit of us down here in New Zealand. New video to watch after I have my dinner. Thanks Lee! ;-)

[@SACHINSAMPULIKEYIL]

i see your videos instead of preparing for my exams

[@Painless360]

Best of luck with the test!

[@RishabhChikhalikar]

love you sir

[@kirbincap8307]

Did it again Lee🫵Genius video

[@captjohnny]

Question - do 'old fashion' PWM receivers output pulses on spare channels - even when the channels are no used??

[@Painless360]

They will output the channel values for the channels you've configured to the PWM outputs. Even if they are not used..

[@captjohnny]

@@Painless360 First, thanks for your prompt reply! And let me state my question another way. If an rx channel can be configured to a switch or push button on the transmitter, will the rx channel output be a PWM pulse that corresponds to the switch position....like 1000us for OFF and 2000us for ON?

[@Painless360]

It'll be the same as the radio..

[@N8904V]

Good review...

[@dronepilot260rc]

I run everything sbus for now until I start using flight controllers again. Crsf as sbus , flysky as sbus, and now I’m going to run ELRS as sbus 🎉

[@martynstockings2330]

hi enjoyed your video on the RC protocols. I have question about the CRSF protocol. I have a problem with my crossfire system. If the TX module binds with the receiver and I get telemetry back to the radio, but I am not getting any output from the sticks and switches. What would think the problem is? This just happened to multiple models that been work fine for years. All my models with the crossfire system fitted have the same issue.

[@Painless360]

I'd suspect something on the radio or module if it has suddenly started to affect all of the receivers. Mabe something had broken in the module?

[@6teeth318-w5k]

I bought a Taranis 9 xd. Is it ok for fixed wing?

[@Painless360]

It is perfect for fixed wing... best of luck

[@tuannguyen5657]

Is there possible a scanner the goes through all the different ones until it finds the correct one ? Like on a vtx.

[@Painless360]

No, but it isn't too hard to figure out - see kzbin.info/www/bejne/epeuqqtmrrmVjrc

[@gregoryh4601]

Sir can you help out with this Antenna Question. I have a FrSky X20s and I fly F5J Sailplanes and my Receiver will be the TW Dual to Help my Range and help me not to lose a signal should I install a External Antenna? Or the 2.4ghz in the Transmitter ok? Would installing the RF booster be the Best way to Go or the infinity 2.4ghz antenna do the job? Thanks.

[@RCDUDEFPV]

Thumbs up !

[@ulungprabowo]

Hello. I am using edgetx and 2 in 1 bidirectional ESC for my tank, I found that the deadzone of my throttle stick is very large, and I just play with my TX to make the deadzone smaller. I decrease my PPM center to 1300 and it work really well for forward position. While for reverse it still have a large deadzone. What should I do to decrease my deadzone? And why change PPM center only change the forward neutral position?

[@Painless360]

I'd look at adding a curve to the throttle to adjust it. Sounds like the ESC needs calibrating... Best of luck

[@ulungprabowo]

@@Painless360 Yes I turn the PPM back to default and use offset and put the curve so I have more resolution and use switch for reverse and reverse the curve lol its complicated but it works. By the way how to calibrate ESC?

[@Painless360]

The calibration routine should be in the manual for the ESC you have. Best of luck

[@toddzilla6491]

Can I plug my receiver into a simple fixed wing FC using Sbus. And still use the throttle channel from the receiver? As the FC has no throttle connection.

[@Painless360]

Yes you can. Depends on the reciever. Happy flying

[@johnchurch2321]

So if CRSF Does not stand for crossfire, what does that acronym mean?

[@Painless360]

It means that you can get super fast, reliable rc controls between components and get fast telemetry back too... Happy flying

[@johnchurch2321]

@@Painless360That made me LOL! Thank you for your work!

[@squirrelynutz1]

What's a antenna tracker I can use with betaflight 4.4/4.5? I have a working gps in my quad. I've been reading everything I can online. But I'm still confused 😂

[@Painless360]

Check out systems like Ardupilot if you want things like that. A tracker needs telemetry from the model to know where to point... Best of luck

[@squirrelynutz1]

@Painless360 oh, that's disappointing. Nothing will work with betaflight? I've been looking for a Rssi tracker, but everything is out of date. I can't find a current one that I can buy.

[@Painless360]

I suspect there is a good reason for that... Best of luck

[@gareth8346]

Hello, I'm looking for some help if possible? I recently purchased my first ever drone and to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. My drone has come with a TBS nano rx receiver, but I'm not sure what make or model of transmitter I can use with it. If I'm being honest, it was a drunken purchase, and I'd completely forgotten about it until it turned up on my doorstep. Having said that I do still want to get into flying fpv. Thanks for any help in advance 🙏.

[@Painless360]

If you want to stay with the supplied receiver then you'll need a radio (or module) that 'talks' Crossfire. Something like the Tango II (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pneslKlnnKlsgJI) or a TBS Crossfire module for a non Crossfire radio. You could also look to replace the receiver installed in the model with something like an ExpressLRS system that is a lot cheaper but that will need a lot of reading/video watching to get it sorted.. Best of luck!

[@gareth8346]

@Painless360 Thank you so much for replying. It's been a bit of a nightmare trying to get my head around all of this, and I just needed someone to confirm what I thought. TBS seems to be the better product, and ELRS has more compatibility. I think I'll stick with the TBS and just bite the bullet and get either the Tango 2 or a TBS module. ✌️

[@itzjoeylo4501]

Means how you are talking about protocols, can’t I link my internal 4 in one TX16S MKII transmitter with a Lemon DSM2/DSMX receiver…? I heard it to be true, so I ordered a Lemon 7 ch DSMX w/ built in gyro, hopefully I don’t have to return it. Can you confirm this…?

[@Painless360]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/epeuqqtmrrmVjrcfeature=shared

[@mics1417]

You got me thinking way too hard over here; is PWM really an analog signal? I think the calibration is required to adjust the PWM period for the motor's natural frequency and/or set a low rpm threshold; however, when the PWM frequency is correctly matched to the motor frequency (because the ratio of pwm-freq to natural-freq affects the motors performance), most calculations just simplify to treating the on/off, PWM signal as the average value (ex: 5V logic @ 50% duty can just be treated as 2.5V for that same period). I also know it can be implemented using only analog electronics, and I was fooled into thinking that it was...until I was forced to write my own driver for an autonomous rover during a microP course at uni. Just wondering...the more I learn, the more confused I seem to grow; now I can finish watching the video...

[@Painless360]

Now you know enough to start your own adventure through videos, posts and articles on the detail of how this stuff works... Happy flying!