The Prez Sez

Hi Folks!

Well, my quest as a rotor head is proceeding; slowly, but proceeding. My penchant for hitting the outhouse with the heli is becoming a bit embarrassing, especially when I do it more than once in a single day. None of us is perfect! I believe that I have the record for the most main blades destroyed in a single week. Please remember to attend the March Club meeting on the second of March - your input is important! This month's technical article is from the River District RC Eagles in St. Clair Michigan

Which is Better: PPM vs PCM

Which is Better: PPM vs PCM by Ed Olszewski Aside from all the other choices when selecting an RC radio system, the terms PPM and PCM comes up. PPM or Pulse Position Modulation is standard FM. The next step up is PCM or Pulse Code Modulation which seems to be shrouded in mysticism. In a nutshell, it is not what frequency each is on, but how they use their frequencies. To demystify PCM somewhat you should understand that there is no range increase with PCM. It is not on some special side band or frequency. It shares the exact same FM frequency everyone else on your channel is using, and is susceptible to the same interference. There is, however, improvement in noise reduction and safe performance while the noise is received. Noise is the undesirable signals on your frequency. They can be caused by anything from sunspots to another transmitter horning in on your frequency. Today's modern radios operate on a narrow band that eliminates most of the random noise. Basically, the PCM radio takes your FM signal and "codes" it digitally (the "C" in PCM). Then the PCM receiver "decodes" the signal to utilize it. Since noise is not a normally recognized code, it is ignored by the PCM receiver, and is not sent as servo instructions. In addition PCM does not transmit position signals for each servo in each transmitter pulse. Rather it transmits movement commands as required, and occasional positions confirmation commands. Short periods of interference will simply leave the servo at its last known position, and not show such radio interference as glitches or fluttering. If your PCM receiver continuously receives interference past the preset time, it then switches into "failsafe mode," and obeys some preset commands you programmed in the receiver. For example, you may set failsafe to throttle down and move all other surfaces to the neutral position. This is great if you are in level flight, but disastrous if you are exiting a loop. If set to continue the last command, it will often keep your model in the loop. Unfortunately, failsafe settings will put your model in a precarious situation you didn't want it locked into. A third level of protection may be obtained by using a pilot assist module in combination with preset positions on the failsafe settings. You can help ensure your model will go to level flight at a slow-but safe-airspeed and hopefully safely ride out the interference. Even though the radio does not glitch, it is not to say the PCM radio was in good contact at all times. If another radio is transmitting on your frequency, it can-and likely will-interfere with your receiver's ability to receive the proper signal from your transmitter. The CB radio enthusiast in the seventies used to call this being "walked on." PCM will help keep your receiver from acting on a bad signal, but there is nothing it can do if a good signal can not be received over the interference. The logic of PCM is that it is better to momentarily do nothing than act on a bad signal. PCM benefits are purely in precise transmitter/receiver communication. PCM does, unfortunately, have a serious weakness. Even minimal atmospheric or external noise can foul up those wonderful intricate binary numbers beyond any correction. In that case, the receiver is up a creek without a paddle. Think of it as if trying to communicate a grocery list via cell phone in a "one bar" area-some things are not going to make it in the grocery cart. With PCM the main purpose is to hide glitches by not transmitting them to a control surface command. As far as the pilot is concerned, there is only an unnoticeable momentary loss of control. If the radio interference is persistent, the pilot will probably be unaware and may lead to total loss of control sending the airplane either into the wild blue yonder or to the ground. On the other hand, the simple PPM pulses may be corrupted with some information getting through. When things go bad, the choice is between no control (PCM)-and some control (PPM). Most RC pilots would prefer having some control even if erratic. When a model aircraft is suddenly doing the funky chicken, it is normally a signal to land. Most radio interferences are normally small glitches and are recoverable, giving the PPM pilot a chance to land and find the cause of the problem. The bottom line is if you are looking for a bullet-proof radio system to keep your airplane from falling from the sky, it does not exist. A system sporting PCM is an excellent choice for larger acrobatic and 3-D fliers with quick throws, where a small glitch may send it suddenly into the ground. PCM will of course work on smaller, more docile airplanes. These airplanes will benefit less from the added features, and PPM is probably a good bet. Remember there is no substitute for a good battery charge and a range check. If another radio on your frequency is turned on, there is little any radio can do to keep you from being "shot down." Until next month, keep those birds flying, but don't spend any time in the crapper; I might hit it again! Bill.

Club Meeting

The next meeting of the MMRCC is scheduled for March 2, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the Northrop Grumman facility. Personnel are required to sign-in and sign out for security purposes. Once again, DUES ARE DUE!!! Get renewal forms from website and give to Tom at the meeting, at the field or mail to him. This will be the last newsletter you will receive if you have not renewed or joined with a new membership.. See you at the meeting.......Will