FAQ for iFS
General Information
Where are the iFS modules manufactured?
The modules are produced in the USA. The component selection, production and assembly processes are carried out in accordance with MIL specifications.
What is the legal situation, and the position regarding approval?
Graupner only sells approved products which are permitted for sale in Germany / Europe.
Is there any possibility of obtaining an iFS system at no charge for a month for test purposes?
We are grateful for your e-mail. Unfortunately we have no means of allowing a test of this kind. Our costings benefit the customer, and do not permit such a facility.
Rumours are abroad that the 2.4 GHz modules for the mx-22 transmitter do not work properly, and that a number of crashes have already resulted, especially amongst jet pilots. Can you confirm this?
To our knowledge there have been no crashes with the mx-22 and iFS. Herr Otte and Herr Michel are using iFS systems for their large-scale jets - admittedly in mc-24 transmitters - and are delighted with the system.
Technical Information
Do 35 MHz and 2.4 GHz systems cause interference to each other?
No, it is possible to use iFS systems and existing 35 MHz systems in parallel.
Are Spektrum and iFS systems and the various transmitter / receiver modules compatible with each other?
Spektrum is not compatible with iFS. The two systems do not cause interference to each other, but it is not possible to control a Spektrum receiver with an iFS transmitter module. However the two systems can be used side by side without interference.
The nose section of my own-design competition glider is made entirely of CFRP, which means that the IFS receiver is completely “encapsulated” in carbon fibre. I assume that range and interference rejection will be adversely affected by this; is this so? Would it be possible to remove the receiver aerial and install it in such a position that good reception will be obtained - perhaps using a co-axial connector?
It is not possible to obtain satisfactory results with an aerial mounted inside an all-carbon component. However, if just the canopy were made of a different material, effective range would be restored. Current receivers are not suitable for modification involving remote aerial deployment. We are currently developing new receivers for this type of application.
Can the aerials of the XR16 + XR20 receivers be removed from the receiver and installed in a different location in the model? At present these receivers are very difficult to install in the driver’s cab of a model truck.
The aerials of both the above-named receivers cannot be mounted remotely. However, we have iFS receivers under development which are suitable for your application.
Are effective range and reception quality adversely affected by rain and mist, or by trees and bushes in the flight path?
We have tested the systems with obstacles in the flight path and under varying climatic conditions - with very good results. However, we work on the assumption that models are operated at “average” model flying sites.
European and World Championship events seem to be plagued by heavy rain, and the contest is not always halted in such circumstances. With this in mind, how safe is the system in the wet?
We have tested these systems in rain and light fog - with positive results. Range is adversely affected (slightly) by high, wet grass, due to the ground damping effect, but this has always been true with conventional systems in any case.
The aerial of my mc-24 swivels and tilts. Which aerial position is best for use with 2.4 GHz?
The transmitter aerial features an articulated base, and its position influences the primary radiation pattern. As a general rule, signal field strength is at a minimum in an imaginary line extending straight out of the aerial tip. If you use a transmitter tray, or are accustomed to holding the transmitter in a particular position, with the effect that the tip of the aerial is pointing straight at the model most of the time, then we recommend that you angle the aerial or rotate it slightly.
I have the impression that a working iFS system does not switch frequencies if interference occurs. It seems that the system only seeks a vacant frequency when initially switched on, but never switches channels in operation if interference strikes.
The IFS system employs an intelligent frequency-hopping process which monitors particular criteria, e.g. the rise in background noise over time, and the threshold value for a possible frequency hop. After assessing the situation, it searches for a more suitable working channel using a specially developed algorithm.
If saturation occurs - i.e. powerful, wide-band interference suddenly swamping the signal - it is safe to assume that the whole band will be affected by this. In this situation the “intelligence” of the iFS system will fail to find a new, cleaner channel on which to operate.
What must I take into account when selecting a power supply for my iFS receiver?
Special care is required when designing the power supply for an iFS receiving system - as for any other computer-controlled receiver. Particularly important aspects are the maximum load capacity of the connector contacts and the conductor cross-section of the battery cables. If you intend to use a “conventional” arrangement - receiver battery connected to battery socket - you must bear in mind that the total current drawn by all the servos flows through the receiver battery socket and its contacts. Use a high-quality switch - or no switch at all.
Product Information
I am looking for an eight-channel iFS receiver with end-mounted servo sockets. Why are you not supplying such items?
Receivers with end-mounted servo sockets are currently under development, and will be available early in 2008.
I was delighted to see that you are planning a 2.4 GHz module for the mc24 when used in a transmitter tray (“aerial pointing up and out”). Can you tell me when such a module might be available?
The mc-24 module for tray use will be available this year (2007).
Our first illustration showed the aerial mounted in the ball, but this will not be the case; instead it will be housed in position “8” in the left-hand angled panel (adjacent to the meter). The hole in the aluminium bezel will need to be enlarged slightly to allow this. The chosen arrangement means that the “old” 35 MHz module can be re-installed in a matter of seconds - simply by disconnecting one lead.
So will it be possible later to use the transmitter module, Order No. 23100, in the mx-24s and the mc-24?? Or will it only fit in the mx-22 transmitter?
The XM-J1 module (Order No. 23100) only fits hand-held transmitters.
Subsequent conversion for use in the mc-24 would be possible in electrical terms, but this is not recommended, as it would also require mechanical modifications to the module and the transmitter. For the mc-24 there will be Order No. 23102 (XM-J2) (December 2007) For the mc-19 / 22 there will be Order No. 23103 (XM-J3) (February 2008) For the mx-24s there will be Order No. 23110 (XM-J4) (Spring 2008).
Please let me know when the iFS system for the Multiplex Profi 4000 can be expected.
Planned shipping date for the Multiplex Profi iFS module is June 2008.
Will the new iFS system also be available for the mx16s transmitter?
At present we are unable to predict whether and when an iFS system will be available for the mx-16s. Our technical departments are currently evaluating the possibilities.
Update Infos
Is a hardware replacement necessary?
Contrary to many claims in the relevant modelling forums the update does not involve the replacement of any hardware components at all. The update to Version 3 is a pure software upgrade for the RF module and receiver.
How does updating to iFS - Version 3 work?
The RF module and receiver must be sent to the GRAUPNER Service department.
Please note: if possible please be sure to use our iFS update card. The iFS update card can be downloaded from our website: www.graupner-ifs-system.de.
Please send your iFS components together with the iFS update card to us at the following address:
Graupner GmbH & Co. KG
IFS - Update
Henrietten Str. 94 - 96
D-73230 Kirchheim unter Teck
Germany
Why can I not carry out the update to Version 3 myself using the Programmer, Order No. 23300?
To allow the system to carry out frequency hopping over sixteen channels, the update to Version 3 includes loading the latest firmware version onto the RF circuit boards of the receiver and transmitter module. For this reason we regret that it is impossible for the user to carry out the update himself using the XZ-P1 iFS Programmer (Order No. 23300).
Of course, it will be possible for the user to carry out future software updates with the help of the Programmer.
Is there a charge for the update to Version 3?
The update to Version 3 is free of charge to you.
(Please note that we can only accept parcels sent with postage pre-paid.)
Can I send my iFS components back already before the 26th of November 2008?
Naturally you can send your first-generation iFS components to us before 26 November 2008. However, please note that the work will not be carried out before that date. As of 26 November we guarantee that the update will be completed as quickly as possible. The work is carried out at no cost to you.
After updating to Version 3 I cannot bind my receivers to the transmitter
Binding the primary receiver:
Switch the Graupner | iFS receiver on.
After three seconds the Status LED starts to flash red.
Hold the programming button pressed in until the LED goes out, then glows green. Release the button.
The STATUS LED will now flash orange: this indicates that the receiver is waiting for a Graupner | iFS transmitter for the binding process.
Transmitter:
The first step must always be to set the transmitter modulation correctly, as previously described. At present this means PPM, MPX, PPM18 or PPM24. Now hold the PROG button on the Graupner | iFS RF module pressed in while you switch the transmitter on. Continue to hold the button pressed in while the Status LED first goes out, and then glows green. Release the PROG button. All the components should bind to each other the moment you release the PROG button. Assuming that the binding process has been completed successfully, all the STATUS LEDs now switch to green simultaneously. If one STATUS LED does not glow green, repeat the whole procedure.
Switch the transmitter and receiver off again.
Your Graupner | iFS system is now ready to use.
Range checks show that effective range with Version 3 is significantly less than previously. Why is that?
During a range check the effective range of your Graupner | iFS system V 3.0 is much lower than with earlier versions. The reason for this is that the transmitted power when the PROG button is pressed is now 25 times lower than with previous versions.
Please note the figures stated in the operating instructions in this regard.
Why does the Status LED on the transmitter constantly flicker?
The “flickering of the Status LED” indicates the constant frequency swapping which the module carries out when set to Hopping Codes 2, 3, 4 and 5.
My receiver LED glows orange. What does that mean?
When the receiver LED glows orange, the low voltage warning indicator is active.
The voltage is or has been below 4.4 V. Usually this means that the battery is not fully charged, and is “failing to cope” with powerful (digital) servos.
A brief power-on surge can also trigger the warning indicator.
Please ensure that your batteries are fully charged before flying a model.
It is important that all control surface linkages should be free-moving, and that you measure the voltage drop via any switch harness you are using. In practice we have discovered that switch harnesses can easily “swallow” up to 0.7 V; the receiver input then only sees the lower voltage.
IFS systems continue to work at voltages down to 3.0 V, but despite this you should not ignore the orange warning indicator, as in most cases it is a warning that the power supply system is not “up to the job”.
Please note that a good flight ending in a successful landing is only possible if the receiver power supply is in perfect condition. If the receiver LED cannot be made to glow a constant green, even though your model’s linkages are free-moving, your battery is fully charged, the leads are of adequate cross-section, and the transfer resistance of all the connectors is minimal, then the servos are simply drawing too much current from the system. In this case you should perhaps consider installing a five-cell receiver battery.