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Dennis Stumm edited this page Jul 30, 2025 · 8 revisions

Purpose

The Vector DS 100 is a universal controller for radio controlled devices, e.g. planes, cars, drones and so on. Its goal is to provide a reliable, flexible, and user-friendly interface for controlling a wide variety of RC models. The signals are sampled from the input items with PCM and send with a custom protocol over a SDR frequency.

Functionality and requirements

Key features (must have)

  • Two thumb joysticks to control all possible direction of different rc models
    • The thumbs must have also a button
  • A switch or button to power on and off the controller
  • Two switches for additional controls like lights and wheels of a plane
  • Two thumbwheels to control for example the speed
  • A rechargeable battery that allows at least one hour of active usage
  • A USB Type C connection for recharging and firmware upgrade
  • A radio module to send the data to the RC model over a appropriate allowed SDR frequency, for example:
    • 2,400 - 2,4835 GHz with a maximum output power of 10 mW
    • 868,0 - 868,6 MHz with a maximum output power of 25mW and a duty cycle of < 1 %
  • A display for showing the information from the RC model and controller
    • For example for a RC plane
      • Battery capacity of the controller with loading indicator
      • Battery capacity of the RC plane
      • Radio signal status
      • Attitude indicator
      • Speed indicator
      • Height indicator
      • Humidity and temperature
    • And optional menu for settings of the controller and RC device
  • A microcontroller for fetching the inputs and sending data to the RC model. With interfaces based on the other components:
    • 120 Hz ADC for each thumb joystick (2 ADCs)
    • 120 Hz ADC for each of the thumb wheel (2 ADCs or additional channels)
    • 6 GPIO Inputs
      • 2 GPIO inputs for buttons of thumb joysticks
      • 2 GPIO inputs for additional buttons
      • 2 GPIO inputs for for switches
    • USB with DFU support
    • A SPI interface for sending the data over radio
    • A TFT interface to connect the display at 120 Hz or 60 Hz
    • At least 80 MHz Microcontroller

Optional features

  • A buzzer to make tones depending on some events
  • A signal led to show the status of the
  • Two buttons

Design

The controller is designed out of PLA plastic so, that it can be hold with two hands with ergonomic rubberized grips with . In the center is a 2.4" TFT display with backlight. On each side behalf of the display there are two thumb joysticks, which also are clickable. For the radio communication there is a antenna on the back side. For additional inputs there are two thumbwheels, two switches and two buttons one on each side of the back side of the controller. Additionally on the back side there is a USB type C connection for firmware updates and charging of the battery which can be exchanged by opening a lid on the bottom of the controller. Also there is a button/switch behalf under the display to power on and off the controller. The controller is build out of two main parts, the top and the bottom which are connected with screws, which are screwed in from the bottom side into screw inserts which are placed into the plastic.

Further information

Further information can be get from the following sub pages:

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