TBS Tracer Manual
SBUS
SBus is the signal that is used by FrSky and other brands. The signal is inverted, which means on a F4 FC
you need to use a pad with a built-in signal inverter. Those pads are mostly label with “SBus” on your FC
N.i. SBUS
Not inverted SBUS is the same as SBUS except that the signal is not inverted. This can be used for FCs that
have no signal inverter built in and require SBus as input signal.
MAVLink
MAVLink is a very lightweight, header-only message marshalling library for air vehicles. Most of the
common flight controllers support MAVLink message format. For specific message documentation please
refer here: MAVLink Messages
If you select “MAVLink TX” on one of the available outputs the corresponding output will be set to
“MAVLink RX”. There is no hardware flow control required as we support software flow control
(RADIO_STATUS message) on both ends. You can connect it to any telemetry port of a MAVLink compatible
FC. The MAVLink baud rate is set to 57600 baud. The MAVLink TX pin needs to be connected to the FC
telemetry RX pin and the MAVLink RX pin needs to be connected to the FC telemetry TX pin. The Tracer
supports MAVLink V1 and V2, which will be selected automatically by the incoming messages.
You use the MAVLink connection to send your RC data as well. If you FC supports MAVLink V2, this includes
up to 12 channels, with V1 up to 8 channels.
PWM (Ch X)
If you select CH 1-12, the Tracer will output a standard 50Hz PWM signal, that can be used for all servos
and FC’s without digital RC input.
PPM
Sends up to 12 channels by PPM. Only use it on old-style flight controllers with no serial rc input.
DSMX
DSMX is designed to use the Tracer as a backup system for Spektrum receivers.
LQ
Translates the Link Quality from 0 -100% to a PWM signal from 1000µs to 2000µs. This can be used for
old-style OSDs with only analog rssi input. It is the most reliable indicator for knowing your signal quality,
and we recommend configuring warning levels to 50% for the TBS Tracer.
RSSI
Translates the RSSI from 0 - -130dBm to PWM signal from 2000µs to 1000µs. This can be used for old-style
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