Antenna Placement
All tests were performed with all antennas pointing up
Tests Performed:
- Xbee@433Mhz
- Xbee@960Mhz
- OrangeRX@433Mhz
- OrangeRX@960Mhz
- EzUHF@433Mhz
- EzUHF@960Mhz
- Plane ESC@433Mh and @960Mhz
- GPS @433Mhz and @960Mhz
- PicPilot Switching Powersupply at @430Mhz and @960Mhz
- Integration Test Results @430Mhz and @960Mhz
- Involves putting everything inside plane, and testing 960mhz noise level when xbee is off, testing 430mhz noise level when uhf is off. This provides an overview of the entire noise floor at the frequencies we care about
Range checks
- Range check with dragon link powered by battery
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to esc directly
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to picpilot powered by battery
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to picpilot powered by esc
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to picpilot + esc + gps
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to picpilot + gps + xbee
- Range check with dragon link hooked up to picpilot + gps + xbee + dji
- Range check with everything inside plane ready to fly (packed in the same way as before flight, this is important to test antenna placements)
426-441 Mhz Tests (in Bay)
Noise Floor
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Everything off, noise floor |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| Max Level | -64.60 |
| Max Hold Level | -80dbm |
| Max Level Freq | 441.714Mhz |
| Image |
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| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Everything off, noise floor |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Max Level | -97.7 |
| Max Hold Level | -91.70 |
| Max Level Freq | 434.286Mhz |
| Image |
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PicPilot Switching Power Supply Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Picpilot off, rf explorer antenna right next to and parallel to the board |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Max Level | -85.9 |
| Max Hold Level | -85.9 |
| Max Level Freq | entire range |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Picpilot ON, rf explorer antenna right next to and parallel to the board |
| Notes | Max levels stayed the same, however average RSSI was way higher near 435Mhz. Note that this is when the antenna is RIGHT next to the power supply |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Average Level | -86.23 |
| Max Hold Level | -83.50 |
| Max Level Freq | 435.875Mhz |
| Image |
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Dragon Link Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Lowest Power, 5ft away |
| Notes | Increasing power level created RF overload |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -18.6 |
| Max Hold Level | -18.6 |
| Max Level Freq | 437.10Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Lowest Power, using provided Nagoya Antenna |
| Notes | Caused overload because of antenna |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Nagoya |
| Max Level | -15.6 |
| Max Hold Level | -15.6 |
| Max Level Freq | 437.857Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Range Test Mode, 5ft away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -90.9 |
| Max Hold Level | -90.9 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.286Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Range Test Mode, 5ft away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -84.90 |
| Max Hold Level | -83.90 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.143Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Range Test Mode, < 1ft away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -77.60 |
| Max Hold Level | -75.60 |
| Max Level Freq | 437.857 Mhz |
| Image |
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OrangeRX Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 428-442Mhz |
| Condition | Orange RX On, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -38.60 |
| Max Hold Level | -37.60 |
| Max Level Freq | 432.125Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 428-442Mhz |
| Condition | Orange RX On, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -24.10 |
| Max Hold Level | -23.60 |
| Max Level Freq | 432.125 Mhz |
| Image |
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EzUHF Testing
Using Provided Antenna
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, Low Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Antenna (came with module) |
| Max Level | -34.4 |
| Max Hold Level | -30.9 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.714Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, Low Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Antenna (came with module) |
| Max Level | -24.4 |
| Max Hold Level | -22.9 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.143Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Antenna (came with module) |
| Max Level | -18.70 |
| Max Hold Level | -17.20 |
| Max Level Freq | 432.125 Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Antenna (came with module) |
| Max Level | -28.9 |
| Max Hold Level | -28.9 |
| Max Level Freq | 434.0Mhz |
| Image |
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Using Standard Testing Antenna
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, Low Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -36.20 |
| Max Hold Level | -36.20 |
| Max Level Freq | 434.429Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, Low Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -25.4 |
| Max Hold Level | -25.4 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.286 |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -31.70 |
| Max Hold Level | -31.70 |
| Max Level Freq | 434.857 |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -21.90 |
| Max Hold Level | -21.90 |
| Max Level Freq | 433.286Mhz |
| Image |
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900-960 Mhz Tests (in Bay)
Noise Floor
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | All off, noise floor |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Max Level | -97.05 |
| Max Hold Level | -96.05 |
| Max Level Freq | 900.089 |
| Image |
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PicPilot Switching Power Supply Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | Picpilot off, rf explorer antenna right next to power supply and parallel to board |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Max Level | -85.83 |
| Max Hold Level | -85.86 |
| Max Level Freq | Entire range (noise) |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | Picpilot ON, rf explorer antenna right next to power supply and parallel to board |
| Notes | Average RSSI levels again higher, though not as high as 433Mhz band |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| Average Level | -91.95 |
| Max Hold Level | -89.95 |
| Max Level Freq | 911.527Mhz |
| Image |
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Xbee Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960 |
| Condition | Xbee ON, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 3dbi 868-928Mhz Antenna |
| Max Level | -70.01 |
| Max Hold Level | -70.01 |
| Max Level Freq | 904.991 |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960 |
| Condition | Xbee ON, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 3dbi 868-928Mhz Antenna |
| Max Level | -64.49 |
| Max Hold Level | -64.49 |
| Max Level Freq | 906.080Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Xbee ON, <1ft Away |
| Notes | Not a significant noise level increase. Should avoid 435 band however |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 3dbi 868-928Mhz Antenna |
| Max Level | -94.00 |
| Max Hold Level | -91.00 |
| Max Level Freq | 435.857Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 426-442Mhz |
| Condition | Xbee ON, Antennas next to each other |
| Notes | Basically the worst case that can occur. Raises noise level to about 75dbm. Happened when antennas were perpendicular to one another. This is why we should keep the antennas away from each other |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 3dbi 868-928Mhz Antenna |
| Max Level | -76.50 |
| Max Hold Level | -76.50 |
| Max Level Freq | 435.714Mhz |
| Image |
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Orange RX Interference Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960 |
| Condition | Orange RX On, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -85.42 |
| Max Hold Level | -85.42 |
| Max Level Freq | 914.25, 930.025Mhz |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960 |
| Condition | Orange RX On, 5ft Away |
| Notes | Noise floor was about same level. So orangeRX had no effect |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -96.27 |
| Max Hold Level | -95.77 |
| Max Level Freq | 900.89, 930.045Mhz |
| Image |
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DragonLink Interference Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Lowest Power, 5ft away |
| Notes | DragonLink TX is causing a bleed over to the 960Mhz band (since 430Mhz is a harmonic of 960) |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Nagoya |
| Max Level | -79.05 |
| Max Hold Level | -78.05 |
| Max Level Freq | 954.009 |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | Dragon Link On, Lowest Power, 5ft away |
| Notes | DragonLink TX is causing a bleed over to the 960Mhz band (since 430Mhz is a harmonic of 960) |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | Provided Nagoya |
| Max Level | -74.55 |
| Max Hold Level | -73.05 |
| Max Level Freq | 954.009 |
| Image |
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EzUHF Interference Testing
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Not Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -86.89 |
| Max Hold Level | -86.89 |
| Max Level Freq | 917.518 |
| Image |
|
| Location | Bay |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 899-960Mhz |
| Condition | EzUHF On, High Power, 5ft Away |
| Notes | No noticeble difference between noise floor. Has no effect |
| RF Explorer Antenna | Retracted |
| TX Antenna | 0.7dbi 398-428Mhz range |
| Max Level | -97.55 |
| Max Hold Level | -96.55 |
| Max Level Freq | 900.089 |
| Image |
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