CYCLOCK
CycLock 1 CCPM manager
Eliminates RC system latency errors:
One of the most common problems with in-transmitter mixing of CCPM is that the three servos driving the swash plate receive their position information at different times so, for example when you push the collective stick one servo will receive the command to move first and, if it's a fast coreless servo may well have reached full speed before the other two servos even know they should be moving. This causes transient, unpredictable errors in the elevator and aileron when large sudden collective inputs are made. CycLock allows the RC system to transmit separate unmixed aileron, elevator and collective signals and mixes these simultaneously into all three servo command streams thus eliminating this source of errors. Also, by using two dedicated processors to handle the CCPM mixing CycLock can apply a complex mixing algorithm while keeping delays undetectably short - the mixing calculation takes less than 1ms - less time than it takes to send a single servo pulse. Also, where digital servos are being used on the swash-plate CycLock can drive these servos at digital servo frame rates - a feature that really comes into its own in electronic stabilised flybarless applications.
Exploits full resolution
of the RC link:
Because of the geometry errors in CCPM linkages become more apparent when
large servo travels are employed it is normal for the total servo travel
of the swash plate servos to be less than the standard (100% ATV) throw.
Furthermore, each control (aileron, elevator, and collective) is responsible
for only a small proportion of the total servo travel. Where the CCPM
mixing is done in the transmitter all this adds up to a big loss in resolution
with which the commands are transmitted. Lets assume you are using an
RC system with a resolution of 2048 points. This 2048 points has to cover
the maximum servo travel obtained with say 140% ATV set. So at 100% ATV
you are already down to 1463 point resolution. At a typical CCPM servo
travel of 70% you are down to 1024 points. If the collective throw only
covers 50% of the CCPM servo travel you are down to 512 point resolution
and for elevator and aileron the situation is probably worse. So, if you
use in-transmitter CCPM mixing you can be reducing the control resolution
of the best 21st century radio systems down to that of a 512 point system
that went out of fashion the 1980's!
With CycLock you transmit the aileron, elevator and collective signals at maximum ATV (say 140%) and exploit the full resolution potential of the RC system. CycLock then mixes the signals and transmits the resulting servo commands at 4800 point resolution losing none of the control resolution of your radio system.
Corrects for CCPM
geometry errors:
All CCPM systems suffer from interactions due to the geometry of the linkages.
These errors are most apparent at large collective pitch values and give
rise to aileron-to-elevator, aileron-to-collective, and elevator-to-collective
interactions. CycLock has six geometry correctors that allow these errors
to be offset providing greater accuracy and allowing, where advantageous,
larger servo throw angles to be employed.
Electronic cyclic
ring:
This has a number of advantages over a physical cyclic ring. Because it
acts on the signals and not on the stick you can make adjustments to the
stick feel of the transmitter with travel adjustments, rates and exponential
without the worry of making a change that could over-travel the linkage.
It even works for mode 1 pilots where the aileron and elevator are on
separate sticks! Importantly, it works when gyros are introduced into
the system for electronic cyclic stabilisation.
Supplied with all leads and mounting foams. For spares and alternative length leads see Spares and Accessories
Requires a standard CSM PC interface for set-up:
LPT interface
£12.70
USB adapter £24.40
Both come with all
software for SL720, SL560 (Rev 4),
RevLocks 20 & 30, and CycLock 1
RRP
£39.95
Size 27mm x 38mm
x 16mm
Weight 16g
CycLock - the gateway to electronically stabilised flybarless operation
CycLock can work in conjunction with two SL720 gyros to provide superb electronic stabilisation at a very affordable price. Please note that you do not have to use CycLock on non-CCPM machines to go flybarless - just use the two SL720 gyros.
The full temperature-compensated-zero stability of SL720s gives automatic speed trim in any attitude without an expensive, fragile airspeed sensor.
Keeps investment in flybarless operation to a minimum with both the gyros and mixer applicable in conventional models.
The remarkable flexibility that the PC interface of the SL720 gyro provides means it can be used for a variety of specialist applications, from camera stabilisation to wheelchairs. Here the SL720 proves its worth by being able to be set-up for cyclic operation - a very different situation to its use as a tail gyro. For more info on the use of SL720 gyros for flybarless or other applications, see our page on special uses of the SL720.
Suggested CycLock setup as of April 2008 ................Wiring diagram for flybarless operation.
Suggested aileron gyro setup as of April 2008.......... Suggested elevator gyro setup as of April 2008
Click images for
larger photos
Approx. 300K
4
servo use:
CycLock
is designed to mix 3 signals from the Rx and put out 3 signals to the
servos. With four servo systems, two CycLocks are required.
Wiring diagram for 4 servo flybarless system ie two CycLocks and two SL720 gyros
Wiring diagram for 4 servo system with flybar - two Cyclocks
To find your nearest stockist see the RC Models shops page
phone (+44) 161 929 5955 or email sales@rcmodels.org