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Powerbox - Radio System ATOM - handheld mode 2
Product Details
Description
Powerbox - Radio System ATOM
Ref. 8301
Our ATOM radio control system establishes a new standard in
the market segment of upper mid-range systems. Based on the considerable
expertise we have gained from the CORE, together with new developments in
electronics, revised software, a smaller Linux computer and a revision to the
method of case manufacture, we have been able to create a system which has few
rivals in terms of price : performance ratio.
The system’s crucial feature is the ingeniously simple
operating system, which is exactly the same as that of the CORE - it is even
possible to interchange model files between the ATOM* and CORE.
As you would expect from PowerBox, we have allowed no
compromises in the matter of redundancy: the radio system and its power supply
are of fully redundant design.
Menu structure
The ATOM menu - adopted from the CORE - presents the pilot
with a freely programmable system which is primarily defined by functions. Special
menus for mixers such as Butterfly (Crow), Combi-Switch (CAR) Snap-Roll or
other fixed structures, which are a throwback from the 1990’s, are simply not
present in the ATOM. You just create a function, consisting of one transmitter
control and the servos assigned to it. Multiple functions can be assigned to
any servo. A good example is the two functions “Aileron” and “Flap”, both of
which operate separately. The additional function “Butterfly” (Crow landing
aid) is then used to set up the already assigned servos individually for the
third function - without affecting the settings of the first two functions.
Additional menu points such as ServoCut, differential or
virtual switches are also available for all functions, enabling the pilot to
set up each model to suit his personal requirements in the shortest possible
time.
The system also offers a powerful supplementary tool in the
form of a clearly comprehensible flight phase structure, which can be used to
solve even complex tasks quickly, without the need for protracted study of the
instructions.
Radio transmission
The radio link implements a highly effective frequency
hopping process, utilising 66 channels in the 2.4GHz band. Radio range is more
than 9km, which is unique to our systems. This offers maximum possible system
reserves, which is essential when security has top priority - especially when
conditions are difficult. The ATOM provides redundancy in the radio link, which
is monitored by the receiver. If a fault should occur in one transmission unit,
the receiver can alert the pilot immediately via telemetry.
The reliability and interference rejection of the PowerBox
radio link has been proved in thousands of hours’ operation with the CORE!
Signal transmission
The ATOM can transmit 18 channels at 2048-bit resolution
with a data rate of 10ms. All channels are transmitted simultaneously in a
single data packet, ensuring minimal latency and maximum precision.
The performance of the telemetry feedback channel is also
unique in the RC world: data can be transmitted from the model to the
transmitter at a rate of 800 x 16-bit packets per second. The maximum number of
sensors is 250, each of which can deliver 32 sensor values - a gigantic
quantity of data which is recorded in the ATOM transmitter, and is available
for subsequent analysis.
P2-BUS Telemetry
The P²-BUS, developed by PowerBox Systems, transfers servo
and telemetry data simultaneously on one conductor. This simplifies the cabling
in the model with conventional servo leads and Uni connectors.
All the sensors on the P²-BUS have individual addresses,
which are automatically assigned by the transmitter if they are already in use.
This means that the sensors in the model can be connected without the need for
active hubs - all the sensors are connected to the receiver by means of Y-leads
or the passive P²-Dock.
When the system is switched on, each sensor sends all the
information - such as sensor names or units of measurement - to the
transmitter, making it possible to connect new sensors to the system at any
time, without requiring a transmitter update. A wide range of sensors is
available from PowerBox Systems, but there is also a large number of sensor
manufacturers who support the P²-BUS system.
Power supply
In typical PowerBox fashion, the ATOM’s power supply is of redundant design. This means that two separate Li-Ion battery packs, each rated at 3400mAh / 7.2V, and the entire voltage regulation system are duplicated. This feature is exclusive to radio control equipment made by PowerBox Systems, as it always has been. Battery duration is a minimum of 7 - 8 hours, varying according to the screen brightness.
Operating system
Inside the ATOM we find a modern, high-performance Linux
industrial PC, which is controlled exclusively using the touch-screen. The
operating methodology and ‘touch and feel’ are identical to those of a
smartphone. In conjunction with an intuitive user interface, which provides the
user with direct routes to associated settings, the system allows the user to
complete a model’s programming with just a few inputs.
Every aspect of the user interface was programmed using
Toolkit Qt. This development environment is today the accepted standard in the
field of the Embedded GUI, and is utilised by many renowned manufacturers.
The screen employed is manufactured to the specific
requirements of PowerBox Systems, and is very clearly legible even in full
sunshine. Just a light touch of the surface is all that’s needed to operate the
capacitive touchpad. Smart Keys (quick-select buttons) are located at the
bottom edge of the screen, and provide rapid access to important functions such
as the servo monitor and screen lock.
Internal data communication is implemented using the
CAN-BUS. This Bus system has been employed successfully for several decades in
the fields of road vehicles and aviation, and is tailor-made for our
application.
Look and feel
Just hold the ATOM in your hand, and you immediately feel at
home: all the switches are positioned just where you would expect from a
High-End system. The pilot instantly has the impression of a professional
“tool”, which he can instinctively control and handle. The detachable
hand-grips, with their Alcantara surface, are pleasant to the touch at any time
of year - as well as looking great. The transmitter also balances perfectly in
the hands.
Highlights
One very special feature is the system’s unique speech
output capability. The ATOM incorporates a licensed TTS (Text to Speech) server
from Acapella. This is the most sophisticated TTS system currently available,
and offers several different voices for every language; these can be used to
provide spoken messages relating to telemetry values or switch settings. The
complex task of creating audio files on the PC, followed by tediously copying
them to the transmitter, is now a thing of the past.
A further unique characteristic of the ATOM is the ability
to update receivers using the 2.4GHz radio interface. Pilots can carry out a
software update without the need to remove an inaccessible receiver, which
might have been installed at considerable effort. All it takes is a
button-press, and thirty seconds later the receiver is up-to-date once more.
The ATOM also has an internal USB interface which permits
the optional use of a Wi-Fi module. This makes it possible to call up
transmitter or receiver updates on-line.
Equipment
The two primary sticks are machined from solid aluminium and
feature quadruple ballraces; they sample each control input with 12-bit
resolution (4096 steps). When digital signal processing is complete, a full
2048 steps are available. The four supplementary linear controls - two at the
side, and two at the top - are also equipped with Hall sensors and twin
ballraces; this means that no part of the ATOM is susceptible to wear.
There are four momentary switches in easily-accessed
positions to left and right, adjacent to and below the sticks. These are
supplementary transmitter controls which are perfectly designed for controlling
wheel brakes, electric starters or a smoke pump.
Both versions of the ATOM transmitter - hand-held or
tray-mounted - are supplied fully expanded. Naturally it is possible to order
optional factory-fitted stick switches. Easy access to all the switches makes
it simple for the customer to assign individual switches at any time.
Features
- 18-channel radio control system:
- Full 2048-step resolution for all 18 channels
- Genuinely redundant 2.4GHz transmission for extreme
resistance to interference
- Extreme range
- Redundant PowerBox power supply system with Li-Ion batteries
- Powerful real-time telemetry
- Up to 800 telemetry values per second
- Open servo and telemetry bus interface
- Sensors and receivers can be set up conveniently from the
transmitter
- Ability to bind two receivers with equal rights
- Same speed of telemetry and reception with both receivers
- Robust stick units machined from solid aluminium
- Quadruple ballraces
- Hall sensors for sticks and linear controls
- 20 transmitter controls + 2 optional stick switches
- Full-colour capacitive touch-screen
- High-contrast screen,
legible in sunlight
- Ultra-simple to program, even with complex models
- Intuitive menu system
with Smartkeys
- Licensed Acapella TTS
module for speech output
- Speech output without *.wav files - text input only required
- Supports 8 languages, with many different voices
- 6 flight modes with priority control
- Comprehensive timer options
- Virtual switches
- Servo cut-off function
- Receiver update from the transmitter by radio link
- Perfectly balanced in the hands
- Alcantara handrests for maximum comfort in use
- File Manager for exchanging data and backing up models
- Integral Linux system
for every imaginable expansion
- Made in Germany!
- Power supply: Li-Ion
- Channels: 18
- Servo signal resolution: 2048 Steps
- Screen: TFT - Touch
- Weight: 1190g
- Temperature range: -30°C to +85°C
Properties
Manufacturer | Powerbox |
---|---|
Article reference | PB8301 |