TECHNICAL PASSPORT AND ENGINEERING DESCRIPTION
Electronic radio detection module: TARGET BOARD
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION CONTENT:
1. General description of the engineering module and communication technology
2. Scope of delivery and hardware modifications (Standard / IPX)
3. Procedure for engineering preparation and sealing of the board
4. Installation and mechanical safety rules on the model
5. Power management algorithms (Manual and Smart-start)
6. Intelligent operation mode of the built-in GPS/GNSS chip
7. Board operation regulations in network bridge mode (NW Bridge)
8. Procedure for updating factory software and configuring via PC
9. Technical safety rules during service maintenance
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ENGINEERING MODULE AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
The Target electronic board is a high-tech autonomous radiolocation component designed for emergency location and monitoring of spatial coordinates of civil aircraft models, multicopters, weather probes and agricultural aviation platforms. The module is designed for operation in critical interference conditions, in conditions of complete absence of GSM cellular network coverage and with dense airspace congestion.
Reception and transmission of digital data packets is carried out using advanced LoRa technology based on the interference-resistant FHSS protocol (pseudo-random frequency hopping). The system uses addressable digital verification with the broadcast of unique identifiers, which completely eliminates the overlap of adjacent radio signals or accidental reading of logs by third-party receivers.
2. SUPPLY SET AND HARDWARE MODIFICATIONS
The module is available in two basic hardware configurations:
– Modification “Standard”: Printed circuit board assembly with integrated lightweight conductive antenna. Optimal solution for ultralight flight assemblies.
– “IPX” modification: Printed circuit board with a factory-soldered high-frequency IPX (U.FL) micro-connector for subsequent connection of external coaxial adapters (pigtails) and SMA antennas.
The standard engineering package includes:
– Mounted Target board in protective design;
– Autonomous Li-Po battery with a capacity of 500 mAh;
– Low-temperature dielectric heat shrink tubing;
– Informational accompanying insert.
3. PROCEDURE FOR ENGINEERING PREPARATION AND BOARD SEALING
For stable operation of the module in aggressive environmental conditions (high humidity, fog, temperature condensation, snow), it is strongly recommended to conduct additional engineering training:
– The printed circuit board must be evenly coated with specialized radio-technical dielectric varnish or “liquid insulating tape”.
– When applying the varnish, it is strictly forbidden to allow the mixture to get inside the Type-C service connector, on the contact pads of the clock control button, and inside the hole of the sound buzzer (siren).
– After the protective varnish has completely dried, the board together with the autonomous battery must be placed in the complete low-temperature heat shrink and carefully shrink it using a household or construction hair dryer at the minimum temperature.
4. INSTALLATION AND MECHANICAL SAFETY RULES ON THE MODEL
The correct spatial arrangement of the module on board directly affects the positioning accuracy and signal transmission range:
– It is strictly forbidden to cover the area of the printed circuit board marked “KEEP OPEN” with power batteries, power wiring, metal or carbon (carbon fiber) frame elements. Violation of this rule leads to a critical deterioration in the sensitivity of the built-in GPS receiver.
– The built-in GPS antenna should have the most unobstructed view of the celestial hemisphere.
– It is forbidden to mount the board in areas where it may be directly hit or crushed by heavy model components (for example, directly in front of a heavy running battery) during a hard landing.
– When installing the module deep inside the technological compartments of the housing, it is allowed to independently move the additional duplicate power button outside (control is implemented by shorting it to the GND ground line).
5. POWER MANAGEMENT ALGORITHMS
The board supports two independent wireless loop activation modes:
– Manual activation: This is done by briefly pressing the service button on the board (0.5 sec). Activation is confirmed by the LED indicator turning on and the buzzer sounding (start melody).
– Automatic power-on (Smart-start): The module starts automatically when DC +5V voltage appears on the Type-C socket. To integrate into the on-board network of a civilian aircraft, it is enough to unsolder only two power contacts in the Type-C plug: the ground line (GND) and the positive cable (+5V).
– System shutdown: Performed by long-pressing the service button (built-in or external) until a characteristic sound signal of deactivation sounds. The remote shutdown function is also available via a mobile application (provided that the corresponding service version of the firmware is installed).
6. INTELLIGENT OPERATION MODE OF THE BUILT-IN GPS/GNSS CHIP
Modern satellite navigation chips have a significant current consumption (about 30 mA), which makes it impossible for them to be constantly active from a small autonomous battery. In order to maximize energy saving, the board uses the following adaptive algorithm:
– In standard standby mode, the power of the built-in GPS chip is programmatically turned off to conserve battery life.
– When initially turned on or when a remote search command is forced, the board supplies power to the GPS receiver for a fixed time of up to 10 minutes.
– This interval guarantees a successful “cold start” of the chip and accurate determination of the spatial geocoordinates of the location point (on average it takes from 3 to 5 minutes) at almost any spatial position of the board on the ground, after which the current data packets are broadcast.
7. REGULATIONS FOR BOARD OPERATION IN NETWORK BRIDGE MODE (NW BRIDGE)
The use of the network bridge mode (NW Bridge) is based on the laws of radio wave propagation in the VHF range, where the communication range is limited by the curvature of the Earth and direct visibility (between the board on the ground and the operator, direct visibility disappears at a distance of about 4 km). The NW Bridge mode allows you to bypass difficult terrain (ravines, forests, hills) by raising the intermediate board to a height.
Software configuration regulations and data transmission algorithm:
The mode is activated by installing specialized service firmware “NW Bridge” on the microcontroller of the Board. After a successful software update, the electronic module switches to the network bridge mode.
Algorithm for processing and forwarding digital packets:
1. Initiation of the wireless loop: The board begins to cyclically call the remote radio detection board (or group of boards) located in the area of the intended location.
2. Verification and wake-up signal: When a packet response is detected from a remote module, the network bridge board instantly forwards the received information to the operator’s receiving hardware board (Target Base Board).
3. Telemetry transmission: All subsequent verified digital data packets and precise geo-coordinates received from the remote module are automatically transmitted to the operator on the ground in real time.
Time limits for system operation:
The maximum duration of continuous wireless activity in network bridge mode (NW Bridge) is up to 10 minutes from the moment the operator programmatically starts the search cycle. This limitation is a technological energy saving standard for maximum protection of the battery life.
8. SOFTWARE UPDATE AND CONFIGURATION PROCEDURE
The process of installing new software is as automated as possible. Strictly follow the following sequence of actions:
Firmware update is carried out via a personal computer (PC):
– Before connecting to the service configurator program, make sure that the board is turned off, but an autonomous battery must be connected to it.
– Install the proprietary firmware software on your computer and specify the path to the firmware file in the program settings.
– The firmware file must strictly correspond to your board modification.
– The board is connected to a PC using a standard data cable via the Type-C port. On Windows operating systems, the installation of the latest USB interface drivers is fully automatic.
– The configuration utility will independently determine the active virtual COM port (the last connected interface is selected). The installation of new microcode into the processor will begin immediately after connecting the board to the computer
9. TECHNICAL SAFETY RULES DURING SERVICE
– When performing any service, installation or commissioning manipulations with a board to which an autonomous battery is connected, it is strictly forbidden to use metal tools (wire screwdrivers, tweezers without insulation, wire cutters). This leads to an instant short circuit (SC) of the conductive tracks and complete failure of electronic components.
– It is forbidden to expose the board to temperatures exceeding the permissible operating limits of lithium-polymer batteries.
– Modifications of boards with an IPX/SMA connector are prohibited from being turned on in signal transmission mode without a pre-connected high-frequency antenna to avoid failure of the LoRa transmitter output stage due to high standing wave ratio (SWR).
HARDWARE MODIFICATIONS AND DESIGN OPTIONS
To ensure flexibility of engineering integration and compliance with various operational requirements of aeromodelling and the agricultural sector, assembled electronic boards of the Target family are produced in two basic design modifications.
Below is a detailed description and visual marking of each component board for visual identification during commissioning.
1. Target Board (Standard configuration with wire antenna)
This variant is a classic integrated “All-in-One” solution designed for direct installation on board civil aircraft, where minimizing payload weight is critical.
- Design feature: The electronic board comes with a factory-soldered lightweight 433 MHz wire antenna.
- Scope of application: The optimal choice for open ultralight aircraft models and multicopters that do not have shielding elements (carbon or metal fuselages). The module provides record ease of assembly (only 7 g) and maximum installation speed without the need to connect additional components.
(See Photo 1 – Visual marking of the Target board in standard version with a wired antenna)
Photo 1
2. Target Board (Modification with high-frequency IPX connector)
A specialized engineering configuration of a printed circuit board, designed specifically for the flexible construction of complex radio systems and operation in protective mounting modules.
Scope of application: Designed for quick solderless installation inside the Target branded PCB Housing to deploy autonomous network bridges (NW Bridge). The modification is also indispensable for deep installation of the module inside closed carbon or duralumin housings of agricultural drones, as it allows you to bring a full-fledged SMA antenna outside using a flexible adapter cable (pigtail) without losing the quality and power of the LoRa signal.
(See Photo 2 – Visual Marking of Target Board with Built-in IPX Micro Connector)
Photo 2
Design feature: Complete absence of an integrated wired antenna. Instead, a miniature coaxial high-frequency micro-connector IPX (U.FL) with one-click mechanical locking is soldered on the printed circuit board.
3. Target IPX Pigtail SMA Antenna Board
Advanced engineering modification, supplied in the format of a ready-made set of radio components to ensure stable external communication in difficult conditions.
- Design feature: Instead of a standard wired antenna, a coaxial IPX micro-connector (female) is mounted on the printed circuit board. A flexible coaxial pigtail adapter IPX ➡ SMA (length 5 cm) and a compact standalone SMA antenna (length 5 cm) are added to the basic engineering kit.
- Scope of application: Optimal solution for large civilian unmanned aerial platforms, agricultural drones and weather probes. Allows the antenna element to be moved outside any shielding housing of the model without using soldering equipment, while maintaining the ideal quality and noise immunity of digital LoRa telemetry.
(See Photo 3 — Visual marking: Target IPX board, pigtail, SMA antenna)
Photo 3
