WRC+ Rev 1-10 manual format.pub
Contents
1. mode to the Rocket Transceiver by pressing the F1 key to manually request a Status Packet Update Mode 4 Advanced Transceiver Mode Advanced Transceiver mode works like Mode 3 but adds additional overhead information to the transport layer to verify and acknowledge that each outbound packet transaction from the Handheld Transceiver is received and processed by the Rocket Transceiver The normal operation of Mode 4 is such that whenever an outbound packet is sent Command or Query the successful acknowledgement and processing of that packet results in nothing If an outbound packet fails the verification and acknowledgement process the result is both an audible 4 chirp alarm tone and a flickering of all 4 LED s 4 times restoring LED status when complete This means a packet or multiple packets failed to be received and processed It s important to realize that a Query or Command Packet failure sent on an Event key release is much less consequential than a Command Packet failure on a key press If this alarm occurs you can retry the last operation you attempted to perform Pg 3 Note Each time the Handheld Transceiver receives and processes a Status Packet from the Rocket Transceiver it will produce a single heartbeat piezo chirp to indicate a successful update Note Booting up the Handheld Transceiver while the Rocket Transceiver is actively transmitting Status Packets may interfere with its boot up operation and create an RF Modul2. 25 Dimensions LxWxD 2 x 4 39 x 0 625 Weight no battery 130 grams Weight 60 grams Handling Precautions W Always handle in a properly grounded environment ESD damage is not covered under your warranty W Never touch handle the Rocket Transceiver when it is armed and connected to live pyrotechnic charges Always allow the unit to adjust to ambient temperature conditions prior to arming and flying Avoid exposure of an armed unit to sudden changes in temperature Always prepare your rocket and recovery system components with the unit powered off Never cycle the power switch off then immediately back on allow at least 10 seconds X ALWAYS test compatibility with other onboard avionics when actively transmitting from the WRC X ALWAYS test compatibility with the WRC when actively transmitting RF from other onboard avionics Physical Overview Figure 1 depicts the general component layout of the WRC Rocket Transceiver board Figure 1 General component layout of the WRC Rocket Transceiver MMCX Antenna jack Piezo Event3 amp 4 Battery Terminals Terminals gg ed L 8 0 RX TX LED s RF Module DIP Event1 amp 2 Power Switches Terminals Cap All user input and output connections are made to the compression terminals as shown These terminals include Battery for an external nominal 9V supply and Events 1 thru 4 for external deployment charges or controls All terminals are ma
3. the Packet Redundancy Factor When the handheld is successfully booted up with the F2 Key held down you ll hear two chirps from the piezo All the LED s will be off until you release the F2 key Thereafter the currently programmed Packet Redundancy Factor 1 thru 4 is displayed on the Status LED s To select a new Packet Redundancy Factor press the Event Keys as follows KEY PACKET REDUNDANCY FACTOR Event 1 Factor Value 1 Send 4 packets per command Event 2 Factor Value 2 Send 8 packets per command default Event 3 Factor Value 3 Send 16 packets per command Event 4 Factor Value 4 Send 32 packets per command As long as you continue to press Event Keys during this programming operation the Packet Redundancy Factor and LED display will continue to change too Once you have selected the Packet Redundancy Factor you desire press the F2 Key again to exit programming and save the new Packet Redundancy Factor in the non volatile EEPROM memory The Handheld transceiver will now start in its normal Power Up Mode as described on Page 3 The Packet Redundancy Factor controls how many Command Packets are sent by the Handheld Transceiver for each Event Key transition on the membrane keypad The higher the number of Command Packets sent means there s a higher probability that the Rocket Transceiver will be able to receive at least one of those Command Packets The Handheld Transceiver operates using a FHSS Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
4. the Status LED s and chirped on the piezo 1 to 4 times If no reply was received from the Rocket Transceiver the LED s will be off and there will be no tone from the piezo or the previous LED level will remain LED Level RF Signal Levels 1 90 dBm or less 2 70 dBm to 89 dBm 3 50 dBm to 69 dBm 4 49 dBm or higher The higher the LED signal level the stronger the RF signal All Event keys and Command Packet operations are disabled in Survey Mode and Survey Mode operations will continue until the Handheld Transceiver is powered off Also note that sending a Ping Command deactivates all outputs on the Rocket Transceiver should any of them be latched on due to poor or intermittent RF communications All Status Packets from the Rocket Transceiver are ignored while operating n Survey Mode Battery and Power Source Considerations The WRC system is available with 2 different RF module systems 200mw and 1W and it can be run in several different modes of operation with various applications of those operational modes so your battery or power source solution is very dependent on what your mission profile requires The Handheld Transceiver was designed to use a standard 9 volt alkaline battery however extensive Event Key activation using a 1 watt RF Module will put quite a demand on your battery whereas the use of a 200mw device is significantly less demanding Always purchase and use premium alkaline batteries for your Handheld Transceiver 9 vo
5. A feooo Antenna Considerations The choice of antennas is driven by many factors so there s no single antenna that will provide an effective answer to the question of which antenna type to use Available space internal mounting vs external mounting airframe materials along with the attitude and trajectory of the rocket vehicle when the planned events will most likely occur will all play a role in driving the best choice of antennas for your project The WRC RF modules operate between 902 928 MHz with a 915 MHz center frequency The antenna connector requirements for each device is as follows Rocket Transceiver MMCX female socket requiring an MMCX male connector Handheld Transceiver RPSMA female socket requiring an RPSMA male connector The following figures represent the relative performance of the 3 available antenna systems available from Missile Works Figure 7 916MHz Radome 916MHz center 1 2 wave VSWR lt 1 9 Center Freq 50 ohm impedance H Cut 8 90 E1 Cut p 0 E2 Cut 90 Gain di amp Gain dBi zy Gain dBi p i e a i 15 F a a 13 ta 18 p W T e a Ea 20 30 oo x x 4 4 415 fo 21020 20 N az hee f 30 0 ane 1654 415 75 j 75 i j 40 0 180 a0 si 0 Vertical Pg 6 Handheld Transceiver Modes of Operation The Handheld Transceiver operates in 4 distinct operational modes accessible via programming options using the 6 button membrane keyp
6. Customized WRC Handheld The WRC handheld is also available as a circuit board only offering allowing users to create customized control boxes This allows the construction of a custom handheld or launch control console with a users own battery LED s and switch operators Each pushbutton or keypad operator is a simple contact closure to ground Each LED is activated at 3 3V 25ma max current 200 ma total Figure 10 shows the switch and LED connections for hard wire soldering or alternatively the unit can be ordered with 3 8mm compression terminals Figure 10 Handheld PCB switch and LED wiring aa we kS lt E yi F1 F2 E1 E2 E3 E4 Com Zeeese ae o Fol HHHH A neeee iiiiiiii 5 Com 4 3 2 1 ajajaja eeeen a i h j oa E o ME e net Customized WRC Rocket Transceiver The WRC Rocket Transceiver can also be packaged into a custom launch control or ground support system Here are the guidelines for using the receiver in such an application When using the Event Outputs directly for igniters it is critical that the current load does the max rating of the output MosFET ONLY use low current igniters or e matches in this configuration If using control relays solenoids or other inductive loads on the Event Outputs the user must ensure that a proper flyback diode is installed to protect the MosFET devices when Event Outputs
7. ED will also be illuminated on the board The following table depicts DIP switch positions vs the operational mode of the Rocket Transceiver Switch 1 Switch 2 Mode OFF OFF Receive Only mode WRC Legacy mode ON OFF Query Only Transmit Mode OFF ON Event Change Transmit Mode ON ON 20Hz Transmit Mode Receive Only mode This mode operates in a true receive only operation identical to the original WRC system and only processes inbound Command Packets It will not allow the Rocket Transceiver to transmit any Status Packets whatsoever even when a Query Packet is received This is the safest mode when it comes to RF compatibility as there is no radiated RF from the module Query Only Transmit mode Query Only Transmit mode processes all inbound Command packets and also replies with a Status Packet to all Query Packets received This mode is useful for conserving battery power as Status Packets are sent by Query Packet request only Event Change Transmit mode When operating in this mode a Status Packet is sent by the Rocket Transceiver for any detected change of continuity status on the 4 Event outputs The Rocket Transceiver will also process all inbound Command and Query packets as well This mode is particularly useful for conserving battery power as Status Packets are sent on exception change only 20Hz Transmit mode When this mode is selected a Status Packet is sent by the Rocket Transceiver every 3 seconds The Rocket Transce
8. ITH A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION Mode 1 Transmit Only Mode This mode operates in a true transmit only operation identical to the original WRC system and only processes for outbound Command Packets A new Command Packet is sent to the Rocket Transceiver for each and every event key transition on the handheld keypad No Query packets are sent in this mode and no Status Packets are processed from the Rocket Transceiver Once an Event Key is initially pressed the corresponding LED will illuminate to serve as an indicator that a key press was detected Also note that Mode 1 is the factory default operation of the Handheld Mode 2 Receive Only Mode Receive Only Mode is a completely passive receive only operation and is intended to be used with modes 3 or 4 of the Rocket Transceiver Each LED will illuminate when its corresponding event on the Rocket Transceiver has a valid continuity status This operation can be used to monitor up to 4 discrete signals within the rocket during flight operations No Command Packets and no Query packets are sent in this mode Mode 3 Basic Transceiver Mode This mode combines the operations of both Mode 1 and 2 by sending outbound Command Packets to the Rocket Transceiver for each event key transition on the handheld keypad and by illuminating each corresponding LED which represents valid continuity status with each Status Packet update from the Rocket Transceiver Users can also send a Query Packet in this
9. Switch Pyro battery Event e match typical 4 O Pyro Switch The unit has silkscreen labeling showing the designation of all the terminals and the associated polarity for each terminal where applicable Stranded 20 22 AWG wire is recommended for the battery and output event terminals Pg 5
10. ad It also provides additional feedback and status via an internal piezo and 4 individual LED s viewable thru the Opaque top panel of the handheld case The Status LED s are numbered 1 through4 as shown in Figure 3 Figure 3 Handheld Transceiver Top Panel LED and Keypad designation RPSMA Status antenna LED s jack 123 4 EVENT EVENT Activate Deactivate Event 1 Output 1 2 Activate Deactivate the Event 2 Output EVENT EVENT Activate Deactivate Event 3 Output Activate Deactivate the Event 4 Output Query Ping Program Ops Survey Mode Survey Mode Program Redundancy Wirclose Aomoto Contre Syatem Power up mode Modes 17 thru 4 When power is first applied to the handheld by inserting a 9V battery into the battery compartment after removing the rear battery door 2 small packets of data are exchanged between the main board and RF module flickering the TX RX LED s If the RF module fails to reply properly the piezo will lock on and all 4 LED s will flash continuously to indicate an RF module fault If the RF module responds properly you ll here an audible battery voltage level chirp 1 chirp per volt Anything less than 7 volts chirps a continuous 3 second warning tone indicating a low voltage condition In addition the currently programmed Operation Mode 1 through 4 is displayed on the Status LED s as follows during this voltage chirp operation IMPORTANT DO NOT OPERATE THE SYSTEM WITH AN RF MODULE FAULT OR W
11. d success Missile Works Corporation Tel 303 823 9222 Fax 303 823 9777 PO Box 1725 On the World Wide Web www missileworks com Lyons CO 80540 Copyright 2012 by Missile Works Corporation All rights reserved Pg 8 User Manual and Instructions Model WRC Wireless Remote Control System Revision 1 10 System Overview The WRC Wireless Remote Control System provides four independent high current FET outputs for hobby rocketry remote control applications The most common applications of remote control are redundant recovery system deployment staging air starts and ground support launch control The RF communications operate using a 900MHZz spread spectrum transmitter in conjunction with a broadband receiver The communications also employ highly secure digitally encoded data packets which provide reliable interference free operation of the unit This system also obsoletes the need for impounding transmitter units while at an organized launch as each RF transceiver device operates in a unicast mode to only one other RF transceiver each with a unique MAC address General Specifications Frequency range 902 928 MHz Nominal voltage range 9V 7 13 2V RF Output Power 200mw 1W Nominal battery load 9V 45ma Operational range 200mw up to 4 miles LOS Continuity current 9V 80a Operational range 1W up to 20 miles LOS Output current sinking 5A slaved Handheld Transceiver Rocket Transceiver Dimensions LxWxD 5 x 2 75 x 1
12. deactivate Connect the flyback diode cathode to the side of the Event Output and connect the anode of the flyback diode to the side of the event output The standard WRC or ties the continuity input and event output circuits together These signals can be segregated when using the device as a launch controller system by removing the solder jumpers from the Rocket Transceiver mother board arrow locations as shown in Figure 11 Continuity input signals operate by switching the battery voltage V of the Rocket transceiver across each associated input Figure 11 also shows the hardwire solder connection points for continuity Alternatively the unit can be ordered with 3 8mm compression terminals to accept these input signals Operating Tips for Success Always pre test your WRC system as COMPLETELY as possible prior to every flight This includes a test of the RF system outputs inputs external wiring antennas etc Figure 11 Rocket Transceiver continuity inputs e Always pre test your batteries before each flight and ensure they have adequate power capacity for the anticipated worst case flight profile including unplanned on the pad waiting time e Always pre measure your deployment charge initiators Ensure they read at a nominal resistance with no short Product Warranty Missile Works Corporation has exercised reasonable care in the design and manufacture of this product and warra
13. e Fault Boot up the Handheld Transceiver first to avoid this potential conflict Handheld Transceiver Boot Up Modes of Operation The Handheld Transceiver can be booted up to operate in 3 additional configuration modes by first pressing and holding the F1 key and or F2 keys inserting the battery into the battery holder then releasing the key s Each of these boot up operations is unique and described below F1 Key Boot Up Programming the Operations Mode When the handheld is successfully booted up with the F1 Key held down you ll hear a single chirp from the piezo All the LED s will be off until you release the F1 key Thereafter the currently programmed operational mode 1 thru 4 is displayed on the Status LED s To select the new mode of operation press the Event Keys as follows KEY OPERATIONS MODE Event 1 Operations Mode 1 Transmit Only Mode default Event 2 Operations Mode 2 Receive Only Mode Event 3 Operations Mode 3 Basic Transceiver Mode Event 4 Operations Mode 4 Advanced Transceiver Mode As long as you continue to press Event Keys during this programming operation the Operations Mode and LED display will continue to change too Once you have selected the Operations Mode you desire press the F1 Key again to exit programming and save the new Operations Mode in the non volatile EEPROM memory The Handheld transceiver will now start in its normal Power Up Mode as described on Page 3 F2 Key Boot Up Programming
14. iver will also process all inbound Command and Query packets as well This mode is particularly well suited for launch control when more frequent updates are useful and when battery power from the ground support system is not as large of a concern Pg 2 Figure 8 916MHz Center Fed Dipole Duck 916MHz center 1 2 wave VSWR lt 1 9 Center Freq 50 ohm impedance 15 MHz E Plan A Ben o 15 MHz H Plan Min i ae i Min 27 93 dBi Avg 0 32 dBi a i Avg 3 60 dBi Vertical Figure 9 PCB Blade Antenna 824 960 MHz 3 dBm 50 ohm impedance Max 1 17 dBi a mone pet ee Max 0 50 dBi XZ PLANE a ZY PLANE m XY PLANE gt Z 8 Theta 0 haan zos X Phi 0 Y Phi 90 Pg 7 Mounting Considerations Figure 6 depicts the physical mounting requirements for the WRC Rocket Transceiver 4 40 screw hardware is recommended to mount the unit into the payload section of the rocket or through a rocket airframe Nylon standoffs or insulated neoprene washers are also recommended for mounting against a hard back plate IMPORTANT Black powder residue is extremely corrosive to the circuit board and its components Always clean off any inadvertent residue immediately to avoid long term damage to the unit Figure 6 Mounting Dimensions for the WRC Rocket Transceiver Top View 2 0 1 7 0 125 Dia typ Side View
15. lt NiCad NiMH LiPo or other battery types may also be used Pg 4 Note Always ensure a full 9V battery voltage level when powering up the Handheld Transceiver to ensure maximum system efficiency and reliability Battery and Power Source Considerations continued The Rocket Transceiver battery or power source is subject to the same requirements and scrutiny of the Handheld Transceiver RF module power operational mode application and use In addition it must also be sized to handle the demands of the load s on the Event Output s If using low current e matches this is a much smaller concern than the control of higher current loads The Rocket Transceiver can be used with a single 9V battery if running the device in the Receive Only Mode however if actively transmitting one should consider the use of alternative battery sources The following table shows the typical power consumption of the WRC using the 2 available RF modules Duty Cycle TX Transmit RX Receive 10 TX 50 TX __ 100 TX _ 100 RX 200 mw Transceiver 55ma 75ma 120ma 45ma 1 watt Transceiver 145ma 665 ma 1315ma 45ma IMPORTANT Always use a battery system less than 13 2 Volts to avoid damaging the WRC Rocket Transceiver IMPORTANT Always load test your battery prior to flight to ensure adequate power reserve for reliable operation and ignition of the ejection charges Inadequate sizing of the battery system or high current demands on the battery sys
16. nts the original purchaser that the WRC system is free of defects and that it will operate at a satisfactory level of performance for a period of one year from the original date of purchase If the system fails to operate as specified then return the unit or units within the warranty period for repair or replacement at our discretion The system must be returned by the original purchaser and be free of modification or any other physical damage which renders the system inoperable Upon repair of replacement of the unit Missile Works Corporation will return the unit postage paid to the original purchaser Product Disclaimer and Limit of Liability Because the use and application of this equipment are beyond our control the purchaser or user agrees to hold harmless Missile Works Corporation and their agents from any and all claims demands actions debts liabilities judgments costs and attorney fees arising out of claimed on account of or in any manner predicated upon loss or damage to property of or injuries to or the death of any and all persons arising out of the use this equipment Due to the nature of electronic devices and the application and environments for those devices the possibility of failure can never be totally ruled out It is the responsibility of the purchaser or user of this equipment to properly test and simulate the actual conditions under which the device is intended to be used to ensure the highest degree of reliability an
17. rked on the board silkscreen for reference In addition a user furnished 916MHz antenna is connected via the MMCX connector located on the top of the RF Module Note Before using the WRC system familiarize yourself with the location and designation of all user connection terminals DIP switch settings and the audible and LED feedback functions of the system LOS Line of Sight using 3 dBi antenna Pg 1 WRC Operational Terms Prior to defining the specific operations of the Rocket Transceiver and Handheld Transceiver its necessary to establish some of the basic terminology used in describing these operations Figure 2 WRC Data packet types and packet origination NF wf Handheld Transceiver Rocket Transceiver Command Packet Sent by the Handheld Transceiver to the Rocket Transceiver when any of the Event pushbuttons are pressed Query Packet Sent by the Handheld Transceiver to the Rocket Transceiver to request a Status Packet from the Rocket Transceiver Ping Packet Sent by the Handheld Transceiver to the Rocket Transceiver when in Survey Mode to gauge signal strength Status Packet Sent by the Rocket Transceiver to the Handheld Transceiver to reflect event continuity status by request change or schedule Rocket Transceiver Modes of Operation The Rocket Transceiver board operates in 4 distinct operational modes selected via DIP switch position and also provides additional feedback and status via the piezo and
18. technique so additional Command Packets being broadcast will cover a larger spectrum of frequencies In addition the Handheld Transceiver applies a random time delay between each Command Packet thus staggering the time domain should there be any other RF traffic in this 902 928 MHz ISM band The downside s to using a higher Packet Redundancy Factor is the additional time required to send all the queued up Command Packets and a higher probability for un acknowledged packets if using the Advanced Transceiver Mode creating false alarm conditions F1 F2 Key Boot Up Invoking the Survey Mode When the handheld is successfully booted up with both the F1 and the F2 Key held down you ll hear three chirps from the piezo In addition the LED s will ramp on from left to right until all 4 LED s are illuminated They will remain on until you release both the F1 key the F2 key Once both keys are released the Handheld transceiver will chirp the battery voltage as described on Page 3 but instead will be operating in a special Survey Mode The Survey Mode feature provides a means to gauge the overall efficiency and actual signal strength of the data packets received by the Rocket Transceiver Unit This is done by sending a Ping Command via the F1 Key Whenever a Ping Command is sent by the Handheld Transceiver the Rocket Transceiver will reply back with the relative signal strength of that packet This signal strength is displayed as a level from 1 to 4 on
19. tem during event initiation may lead to low power and processor brown out conditions resulting in event failure Wiring Diagram Low Current e matches Figure 4 depicts the recommended low current wiring convention for WRC Rocket Transceiver This configuration activates the e matches using the same battery that powers the microcontroller logic and the RF system The success of this configuration relies on the voltage remaining relatively stable when activating a low current e match If the voltage sags too low this may result in a brown out or other event malfunction Figure 4 Low Current Wiring Diagram for the WRC Rocket Transceiver RF Logic battery To Antenna Power Switch Event e match typical Wiring Diagram High Current Dual Battery Figure 5 depicts the recommended high current dual battery wiring convention for the WRC Rocket Transceiver When your output events do indeed require higher current or if you want to configure the most robust and reliable configuration use the dual battery configuration as shown Ensure that the negative sides of each battery are connected together to form a single common Observe the proper output terminal connections using the leg of the Event outputs IMPORTANT Never exceed 20VDC for the secondary pyro battery to avoid damaging the WRC Rocket Transceiver Figure 5 High Current Wiring Diagram for the WRC Rocket Transceiver RF Logic battery To Antenna Power
20. the several LED s located around the board Power up Operations Mode and Battery Level Indicator When power is first applied it will chirp the Operations Mode 1 to 4 as set by the DIP switches Next 2 small packets of data are exchanged between the main board and RF module flickering the TX RX LED s If the RF module fails to reply properly the piezo will lock on continuously to indicate an RF module fault If the RF module responds properly the Operations Mode chirp is followed by an audible battery voltage level chirp 1 chirp per volt Anything less than 7 volts will chirp with a continuous 3 second warning tone indicating a low voltage condition IMPORTANT DO NOT OPERATE THE SYSTEM WITH AN RF MODULE FAULT OR WITH A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION Operations mode After completion of the battery voltage level chirp the unit transitions into 1 of its 4 operational modes selected via DIP switch position and also begins the repeated continuity chirp of its 4 events outputs as follows No Beeping No continuity on any of the 4 Event outputs 1 Short Beep Continuity on 1 of the 4 Event outputs 2 Short Beeps Continuity on 2 of the 4 Event outputs 3 Short Beeps Continuity on 4 of the 4 Event outputs 4 Short Beeps Continuity on all 4 Event outputs The unit will repeat this continuity chirp function every 3 seconds for as long as power is applied Anytime an Event Output is activated from the Handheld Transceiver the corresponding Event Output L
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