KopterMax A/B failover switch provides 12 RC channels switching capability between two banks, with software-generated channels.
¶ Specifications
- 12 output channels
- < 1mS activation delay
- 2 input banks (A/B), 12 channels each
- 3 groups of 4 channels, capable of per-group A/B switching
- 12 independent software-generated and user configurable channels
- per-group independent output frequency ( 50Hz / 400 Hz )
- per-channel selectable “bank B” function (bank B inputs, or software-generated)
- user-selectable active-high or active-low trigger input, with adjustable intervention point
- 5-way input redundancy
- selectable power on output rail (independent/input bank A/input bank B)
- expansion port for future use
- USB type-C communication for configuration and software updates
¶ Setup and configuration
¶ Connections
In order to utilize the device, connect input channels to banks A and B, respecting connector polarity as per the above picture.
Default output signal is from bank A; it is possible to change this preference with the configurator software.
Connect any 1mS - 2mS signal to the trigger input; default activation (switch to bank B) happens at 1600uS input, and deactivation (back to bank A) occurs at 1400uS.
Two different colour LEDs will indicate if either bank A (green) or bank B (orange) is active.
If groups are configured to be active independently, even one single active group in a bank will cause the relative bank LED to light up.
To use software-generated failover signals with user-defined values, a jumper pin needs to be placed between rows “S” and “SW” of bank B.
Each channel with a jumper inserted will be software-generated when it's switched to bank B, and no external input plug could be phisically attached to the corresponding bank B input port.
If power from banks A or B needs to be routed towards output bank, place a jumper between Vout and A, or between Vout and B.
Power presence is indicated by the A-B-O-U-T LEDs, indicating respectively bank A, bank B, output, USB and Trigger.
Note that just one power source is enough for the correct operation of the cutoff device.
If multiple power inputs are connected, the highest voltage one will effectively power the device.
ATTENTION!!
Never connect a power source to the output bank if a jumper is inserted into A-Vout-B pin header. Damage will occur to either the power supplies or the device!
Never force A, Vout and B pins together all three at the same time while connecting two different power supplies to banks A, B, or output. Damage will occur to either the power supplies or the device!
¶ Configurator software
The KopterMax configurator software can be used for all the KopterMax products.
First of all, after connecting the failover switch to a USB port on your PC, find the corresponding COM port in the list.
Clicking “Connect” will identify the device automatically, and populate the software with all the parameters from the device.
To save any modified parameters, click “Save CONF”; in the same fashion, to refresh the window with the parameters saved in the device, press “Read CONF”.
You can revert back to the default options with “Set defaults”.
In the “Switch status” panel, NORMAL/FAILOVER will indicate if the device is triggered, and just below, the realtime trigger input value and PPM frequency.
Under “Trigger input”, you can set if the device is activated by high or low pulse values, and the precise value that will trigger the activation/deactivation.
The remaining area allows you to configure per-bank output behaviour, and value/refresh rate of each software-generated channel.
Remember that in order to use software-generated outputs on a channel, you need to place a jumper between rows “S” and “SW” of that channel on bank B; otherwise, external input on bank B will be used.
ATTENTION!!
Always remember to click “Save CONF” after you edit any parameter, and to TEST that the modification you made actually works as intended!
¶ Technical details
- 12 RC channels with PWM 1000-2000uS nominal range
- 5v to 15v input voltage on all rails
- 5-way redundant power inputs
- 3.3v signal I/O, 5v tolerant
- 32bit 60 MHz advanced signal processor
- USB type-C