BLACKSHEEP TBS UNIFY EVO 5G8 (HV) Video Transmitter User Manual

TBS UNIFY EVO 5G8 (HV) Video Transmitter  OSD capable, license-free, high power long range and freestyle VTx Revision 2021-04-28

The TBS UNIFY EVO is a new line of video transmitters that contains a professional On Screen Display (OSD), optimized for compatibility across multiple platforms and reduced to a small form factor, completely redesigned and tailored for use in small multirotor and FPV wings. It is tightly integrated with TBS Crossfire and TBS Crossfire-compatible products such as flight controls.Key features  

  • World’s smallest video transmitter containing a full-featured on-screen display
  • 25mW (up to 800mW with HAM license*)
  • Built-in microphone (with disable feature!)
  • One button frequency and power setup
  • Device configuration through OSD
  • SMA pigtail connector with frame mounting holes integrated
  • High voltage 7-26V (2-6S LIPO) input
  • Clean voltage output for FPV Camera (5V / 200mA)
  • Superior input noise filtering
  • 2x CRSF Serial Port for OSD data, device setup, expansion port for sensors, etc.
  • Smartaudio V2.1 for one wire serial control
  • High quality branded U.FL connector with additional screw locking
  • USB connector for firmware update and setup through TBS Agent
  • Firmware update support through CRSF when paired with TBS Crossfire or Tracer

Specifications

 

TBS UNIFY EVO
Input voltage: 7V to 26V (2S – 65 LIPO) VBat peak max 31V.Connect directly to battery or regulator with enough output power (>=7V, IN!
Power Output Regulated SV for Camera @ 200mA
Extra features: CleanSv.ipe PitMode 2x CRSF Smanaudio V2.1
Remote software protocol PWM, Barcodes, 2x CRSF or SmartAudio V2.1
Output Power CRSF:14dBm (25mW)20dBm (100mWe)26dBm (400mW)29dBm (800mW) Smartaudio V2.1:14dBm (25mW)23dBm (200mW*)27dBm (500mW*)29dBm (800mW*)
Pit mode Activate: press button during powered up.LED: red blinking
Deactivate: press button during powered up.LED: blue (red & blue when unlocked)
Pit mode –> flight mode Command through SmartAudio V2.1 8 CRSF
Channels: Band A (8ch), B (8ch), E (5ch)Fatshark BchRace Band BchLow Race Band 8ch *It
Audio Yes, through microphone on-board
Power consumption 25mW: 300mA200mW: 370mA500mW: 500mA800mW: 650mA 25mW: 300mA100mW: 350mA400mW: 450mA800mW: 650mA
Range: Up to 4 km with Omni sectional RHCP antennas
Antenna connector: U.FL high strength SMA
Port connector Main connector: JST-GH, 7 pin 2nd Connector: JST-GH, 4 pin
Dimensions: 22 (H) x 30 (W) x 4 (D) mm
Weight: 7g excluding antenna
Kit contents: lx TBS UNIFY EVO, lx 7pin cable (power, cam, crsf), lx 4pin cable(usf)

* requires HAM license, special unlocking procedure** only where authorization has been granted

Attention

These video transmitters are capable of radio frequency transmissions and output power that may be not allowed in your country.Please always check your local RF legislation to set the frequency and output power according to the regulation.A general rule for RC aircraft is that they must be controlled always under the sight of view, check your RC regulation to keep up to date with regulations.FAQ  If you got any questions after reading this manual you should visit the TBS FAQ section Search :Note  This manual is written based on FW 1.15. If some functions are not available for you, please update your Unify to these or later versions.

Updating

In order to update your Unify Evo, you need the TBS Agent X, which you can download from the TBS shop.To update your VTX, connect it to the USB port and run the update by Agent X.For detailed instructions on how to use Agent X, have a look at the Agent X manual.

Overview

Button menu control  

The menu consists of categories and settings. Pressing the button for 3 seconds will toggle between categories, pressing it for a short time toggles between settings. To enter the menu, hold the button for 3 seconds. LED colors will signal the state of the menu, for an overview see the menu table.Unlock & power select mode(FOR HAM USERS ONLY!) Press the button for about 30 seconds. The Red LED will flash 3 times to confirm.You have unlocked the video transmitter for use with all frequencies (see frequency table below).NOTE: Unlock only works if you are inside the band selection menu The power select mode is now accessible. Once unlocked, you can select the power level according to thetable below. To lock the transmitter, go back into the band select menu and press the button for 20 to 25 seconds again.Button menu structure

Menu Table

RED LED BLUE LED
lx 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x 7x 8x
lx Channel 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 8
2x Band A B E Airwave Race
3x Power Level 25mW 100mW 400mW 800mW
4x Limit Temp. 60 70 80 90 100 105
5x PIT Mode OFF IN-BAND
6x CRSF/SA/PWM OFF CRSF SA
7x Audio (Mic) OFF ON

Frequency Table

Channel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Band A 5865 5845 5825 5805 5785 5765 5745 5725 MHz
Band B 5733 5752 5771 5790 5809 5828 5847 5866 MHz
Band E 5705 5685 5665 5885 5905 5925 5945 MHz
Airwave 5740 5760 5780 5800 5820 5840 5860 5880 MHz
Race Band 5658 5695 5732 5769 5806 5843 5880 5917 MHz
PowerLevel 25 100 400 800 mW

The selections in orange require a HAM license to operate legally. Black selections are only available on special requests (custom firmware for large events with prior legal body approval). The video transmitter ensures that you cannot select illegal channels or power levels by accident:

  • When controlled by the push button, you will need to confirm having a HAM license by following the steps described above to unlock your video transmitter
  • Through the CORE PRO, you are required to enter your HAM license number under the “Callsign” menu before you can access the high power transmission settings and the locked-out channels

Installation / Mounting

When installing the Unify EVO, please ensure adequate airflow during flight. Up to power levels of 200mW, no airflow is less critical. With higher power setting airflow is required to maintain the set power level.In case there is no or not enough airflow to maintain the temperature limit, the Unify EVO will slowly reduce the output power to ensure proper function without any overheating.  The reduction in output power is slow and gradual so there is no immediate range issue. As it regulates back the output power, the red LED starts to blink.Pinout

Control by Flight Controllers (Smartaudio)Using any Smart Audio V2.1 compatible flight controller simply connect the Smart Audio data pin to a free and supported port on your FC (see pinout below).For Betaflight users, you can then configure the connected port in the Betaflight configurator to Smart Audio V2.1 protocol. Ideally, you make sure to get a Betaflight firmware that supports the new SA2.1 (Betaflight >=V3.5.6) rather than the older SA2.0. This way you get access to the new power levels of SA2.1.If you use BF 4. xx or later, you need to add the VTX table. You can download the VTX tables for all TBS UNIFY VTXs here.Control by Crossfire/ Tracer direct connectionYour TBS Crossfire/ Tracer can control your TBS Unify EVO directly without the need for an FC. This is helpful when you don’t have an FC in your aircraft, got no free UART left, or just don’t want to control the Unify32 without any extra setup required. For details on how the Crossfire/ Tracer can be set up, visit the Crossfire manual or the Tracer manual.Crossfire/Tracer connection using SmartaudioYou can connect your Unify EVO to any Crossfire/ Tracer receiver. The VTX will then be controlled by Agent Lite by the My VTX menu or in the VTX menu of the receiver:

  • Set the EVO Dataport 1 to Smartaudio by menu or Agent X/L
  • Select a free output pin capable for SA and connect it using Smartaudio

Now you can control your Unify by the My VTX menu or by the VTX menu of the receiver by Agent Lite etc.Crossfire/Tracer connection using CRSFAll Unify PRO32 does have a full serial interface that has extended functionality compared to Smartaudio which is just a one-wire protocol.

  • Set the EVO Dataport 1 to CRSF by menu or Agent X/L
  • Select a free output pin pair capable of CRSF and connect them using CRSF

Now you can control your Unify by the My VTX menu or by its own device menu by Agent lite etc.Smart Audio or CRSF for the VTX?Both protocols had their advantages and disadvantages:

  • SmartAudio• Single wire connection. Saves one PWM output (useful on a wing)● CRSF• Fully configurable by LUA, FUSION, Agent X, etc.• CRSF readout – let you use PITMode on a switch or navigate through OSD without the need for an FC, link stats readout, and more

Control by PWM channelFor setups without flight control and receivers that do not have CRSF capabilities, such as R/C cars or boats, we have enabled control for the button via PWM control. You can connect a PWM channel to the CRSF RX1 port and simply move a switch from low to high to press and high to low to depress the button. The single PWM channel is the most simple way of using a video transmitter. The menu control is identical to using the button. Follow the instructions from the Button menu structure to set up the Evo.

OSD Menu

Connect your Unify Evo to any Crossfire/ Tracer receiver by CRSF for full functionality. This includes OSD control by your sticks as well as RC link data readout (RSSI, LQ, SNR, and transmitted power) and much more.OSD Overview

GPS set to Basic

GPS set to Detail

The available elements vary by the connected devices.OSD MenuWhen you open the OSD menu by holding the button for 3s or by the stick command (throttle down, yaw left for 3s)General:

  • Data port: CR5F/ SA/ PWM Switch – Input protocol used on port 1
  • Port: [Sensor/ Off – Not yet used
  • OSD: White/ 8lacla Off – Change the font color or disable the OSD
  • OSD Level: Adjust if the OSD disappears in bright or dark areas
  • GPS: Basic/ Detail/ Off – GPS information detail level
  • Heading Source: GPS/ YAW- Source for heading estimation. GPS is only recommended for wings
  • Mic En.: On/Off- Enable/ disable the built-in microphone
  • Barcode: Enable/ Disable- Use the barcode quick setup

VTX

  • Band: A/ B/ E/ AIR/ RACE/ USER – Band selection
  • Channel: 1-8/ User Frequency- Channel/ Frequency selection
  • Power: 25/ 100/400/ 800mW – Output power selection
  • Limit: 60/ 70/ 80/ 90/100/105 – Temp. limit when the output power will be lowered
  • Pit mode: Enable/ Disable- Toggle Pitmode

Callsign

  • Enter your call sign here Channel Map
  • Stick Menu: Enables/ disables stick control
  • Channels: Setup for stick control
  • Pincode: Channel used to toggle Pitmode by a switch (if not enabled by the VFX menu!)

In-Build voltage sensorWhen the Unify Evo does not detect an external voltage sensor, it will fall back to VIN voltage monitoring.OSD Stick controlTo enter and navigate through the OSD you can use the sticks of your remote. Make sure not to use any mixers on the channels you select for the sticks (e.g. wing mixer)!Open the OSDRoll/ Pitch centered, Throttle down, Yaw left for 3s

Navigation

  • Roll right: Open the submenu or setting
  • Roll left: leaf the submenu or setting
  • Pitch up: Navigate through the settings/ increase a value
  • Pitch down: Navigate through the settings/ decrease a value
  • Throttle/ Yaw: Not used

Channel map example with active wing mixerIf you use a model with active mixers (Wing etc.) you need to adjust your settings for the stick control. Thisis just an example and might need to be adjusted for your setup!

  • Radio settings:• Channel 1 – Throttle• Channel 2 – Wing mixer left• Channel 3 – Wing mixer right• Channel 4 – Yaw• Channel 5 – Pitch• Channel 6 – Pitmode switch (optional)
  • Crossfire/ Tracer Channel Map• No adjustment required
  • Crossfire/ Tracer Output Map• Output 1 – Src 1• Output 2 – Src 2• Output 3 – Src 3
  • EVO Stickmenu• Pich Ch:• Throttle Ch: 1• Yaw Ch: 4• Pit mode: 6

Barcode Control

The video transmitter can be controlled via barcodes through your camera. This allows you to enable pit mode, and power up your video transmitter by holding the barcode in front of your camera. Or simply carry your favorite channel in your pocket or on your backpack and revert to that channel easily and quickly.You can download a PDF barcode catalog from this link:

Android app:

Raw .json file:

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We are always expanding the functionality. If you have any crazy ideas for implementing barcodes for your races or other purposes, please let us know! We’re happy to expand the functionality at all times!

Technology showcase

PitModePitMode is a mode where the video transmitter only runs on incredibly low output power. This prevents interference with others at events, while still allowing a minimum of visibility for emergency last-minute setting changes.With the TBS UNIFY EVO line, Pit Mode has been slightly modified in behavior. The main button on the video transmitter is used to toggle the pit mode flag at power-up, and SmartAudio / CRSF can modify this flag as well. Smart Audio / CRSF can also enter pit mode during runtime using the power setting OmW, which will not modify the flag (the VTx will never power up at the OMW power setting). To leave pit mode during operation, simply set your desired power setting using Smart Audio, CRSF, or the button menu.SmartAudio 2.1SmartAudio is a protocol developed by TBS for OSD to VTx communication. SmartAudio is a single-wire UART protocol, running over the Audio-wire. All newer generation OSDs at TBS and all UNIFY PRO series VTX, and all modern flight controllers support SmartAudio!With the UNIFY EVO line, we have launched SmartAudio V2.1. Over the regular SmartAudio, it changed control for PitMode in operation to a switch(on / off) rather than a flag that is refreshed on reboot.If you are an OSD or VTX developer interested in adding support for SmartAudio, please check our SmartAudio specification. SmartAudio is a free-to-use protocol. If you’d like to use “TBS SmartAudio” in your marketing, you may contact us for licensing options:

CRSFCRSR is a protocol designed by Team BlackSheep and championed through the TBS Crossfire remote control system. It has been integrated into most popular remote controls, is an incredibly high bandwidth (low latency) full-duplex, serial data transmission protocol. It comes with native functionality such as OTA (over the air) firmware upgrades, localized configuration menus, and a smart routing protocol.With the advent of the TBS UNIFY EVO, for the first time in FPV history does a VTx now support this functionality. We can configure the channel, output power, and pit mode settings. Additionally, software updates via the TBS Crossfire platform are now possible.CleanSwitchA new feature introduced with the TBS UNIFY PRO SG8 is CleanSwitch. When video transmitters power up or change frequency, they usually send a burst across the entire band which disturbs fellow flying pilots. All UNIFY EVO SG8 video transmitters will remain in their lowest power output (less than 0.1mW) while changing channels and powering up. This ensures interruption-free racing, even with multiple video transmitters changing channels, or powering up. Despite all this, TBS UNIFY PRO & EVO are still the fastest video transmitter on power-up – thus ensuring it is the perfect choice for any application where quick channel changes are a necessity!

Manual designed by ivc.no, written by TBS, ivc.no, and kamikatze-fpv.de.

References

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