TBS GEMINI Mini FPV Hex Manual de usuario
TBS GEMINI Mini
FPV Hex
Miniature hexacopter for fast
FPV flight and multirotor racing
Revision 2014-12-02
The TBS GEMINI is the latest generation of
mini racer multirotors. Its revolutionary
design with forward tilting motors and
aerodynamic canopy as well as fully
integrated yet modular electronics turn it into a beast that will dominate any race event.
Optimize your setup for HD filming with a Mobius or as the ultimate racer. Both setups are capable of
operating on 3S and 4S setups, depending on your skill level and speed requirements. It is versatile enough
to become your take-anywhere, fly-anytime multi rotor and at the same time rip through trees and leave the
competition in the dust at races.
The frame is based on a design by award-winning pilot and one of the leading innovators in multi rotor
design, William Thielicke (aka Shrediquette). TBS added its own secret-sauce with a fully-modular, crash
friendly ESC and flight control installation. We get the best of both worlds: a tightly integrated component
layout that optimizes weight efficiency, but also repair-friendliness in case of crashes. And let's face it, these
things are made for crashing.
Assembly takes a few minutes as you add props, choose between the race and film setup and secure the
canopy. A full slew of spare parts are available to repair the hex after a crash.
Key features
•Aerodynamic canopy for stability in forward-flight
•Forward-tilting motors for efficient, high speed flight
•Built-in FPV camera
•Optional Mobius HD camera (film canopy)
•CORE OSD/power supply with integrated current sensor
•Ready for long range FPV
•Stacked modular TBS 4A ESCs
• High-quality T-motors with vibration dampening
• 4-inch propellers
•TauLabs Quanton-based flight control
•Crash-friendly, yet integrated layout
1
Before we begin
Thank you for buying a TBS product! The TBS GEMINI is a new racing multirotor aircraft from Team
BlackSheep (TBS). It features the best design practices available on the market to date, providing a great
flying experience and incredible FPV characteristics.
Please read this manual carefully before assembling and flying your new TBS GEMINI hexacopter. Keep this
manual for future reference regarding tuning and maintenance.
Disclaimer
Our request to you; the aircraft may not be used to infringe on people's right to privacy. We have designed a
toy with mind blowing capabilities. It is your responsibility to use it reasonably and according to your
experience level. Use common sense. Fly safe. You are on your own. TBS has no liability for use of this
aircraft.
●Locate an appropriate flying location
●Obtain the assistance of an experienced pilot
●Practice safe and responsible operation
●Always be aware of the rotating blades
●Prevent moisture
●Keep away from heat or excessive amounts of sunlight
2
Specifications
Type:
FPV racer hexacopter
Power:
3S 1700mAh or 4S 1050mAh Lithium-ion Polymer battery, JST-connector
Motors:
6x 1806 class, 2100kV, 96W, 22x22 mm mount, M4 shaft, 10° forward tilt
Propellers:
6x 4x4.5-inch, 2-blade propellers (3xCW, 3xCCW)
Speed controllers:
TBS 4A Bulletproof ESCs, stacked modular configuration
Flight controller:
TBS COLIBRI flight controller, powered by TauLab codebase
RC receiver:
5-channel minimum, PPM, S-BUS, D-BUS or PWM
FPV camera:
32x32mm board camera, 2.8 mm lens, TBS CHIPCHIP V2
FPV transmitter:
TBS 2.4 Ghz or 5.8 GHz A/V transmitter, TBS UNIFY 5G8 200mW
HD camera:
Mobius HD ActionCam (available separately), vibration dampened
Canopy:
Racing (aerodynamic, light) or Film (protects camera, extra battery space)
Flight time:
Approx. 10 minutes
Speed:
Max. speed 80 km/h
Distance:
up to 2km range (and return)
Working temperature:
0 - 40°C
Size:
315 mm / 8.5-inch, diagonally
Battery spec:
25C+, max. 48(W) x 70(L) x 19(H) mm, 110 grams
All-up-weight:
340 to 370 grams, fully loaded
Kit contents:
(base kit)
1x Assembled TBS GEMINI main frame
6x TBS BULLETPROOF 4A ESCs
1x TBS COLIBRI Flight controller
1x TBS CORE PNP25, pre-configured
1x TBS CHIPCHIP V2 camera
1x TBS UNIFY 5G8 200mW video transmitter
1x TBS 3S 1700 mAh LiPo battery
1x Racing camera mount
1x Racing VTX mount
1x VTX extension antenna holder
1x Racing canopy set
1x Film canopy set
1x Bag of light-weight nylon motor screws
6x TBS T-motor 2100kV Brushless motors
8x 4x4.5-inch propellers with adapter rings (4 pairs)
3
The TBS GEMINI
On the GEMINI hexacopter, the motors are tilted 10° forward in order to decrease the angle of attack of the
body in forward flight. The whole arm is deformed in order to achieve the desired forward tilt. This
decreases the net aerodynamic drag in fast translational flight. In a hover the body will lean backwards but it
will level out as it moves into forward flight. Additionally, the canopies help to reduce the drag coefficient of
the copter. The effects has been measured in a wind tunnel using a two-axes force balance, and the results
show that the drag is reduced by something around 30%.
The handling of the copter is not affected as long as the IMU is aligned parallel to the propellers (you can also
rotate the IMU by software via calibration).
The flight controller is based on the TauLabs Quanton platform and TBS contributes back to the project. The
controller has two modes. In "stabilize" mode (angle control) is auto levels and stabilized itself in flight, while
in "heading hold" (angular velocity control) it will stay in a particular angle until the pilot makes corrections,
very much like “manual” mode. There are a lot of other interesting features.
The TBS GEMINI has a two part canopy with a larger volume. This allows for using large batteries, a broader
range of video transmitters and larger receivers (hence people can install the gear they want). We selected to
include some very nice and light custom T-motors, these are made to precision with high quality bearings.
The ESCs were also developed specially for the GEMINI. They are located centrally on the frame in a stacked
rib formation for cooling and easy access. There are no LEDs on the canopy as of writing, but LEDs can easily
be added to facilitate LOS flight.
Maybe one of the most important factors is the 3S to 4S capability. The ESCs are able to handle both with
ease to cater for long fight time or high speed. When using the custom TBS ESCs on 4S, expect an
exceptionally fast forward flight and a rocket in ascend.
4
IN PACKAGE
The following is included in the base TBS GEMINI kit. Replacement parts are available online, if needed.
1x Assembled GEMINI frame
1x Set of film canopy - top/bott.
1x Set of racing canopy - top/bott.
8x 4x4.5-in propellers (CW, CCW)
2x Canopy metal strips
1x Set of racing carriage kit
1x VTX cable extension holder
1x PPM header cable for RX pwr
and PPM/S-BUS/D-BUS
1x Bag of light-weight M2 nylon
screws for motor mounts
1x TBS LiPo pack - 3S or 4S
1x SpiroNet Grey RHCP RP-SMA
antenna
1x Cement glue (“gooey”) to lock
parts and electronics for racing
1x GEMINI carrying case
1x Sheet of GEMINI stickers
-
5
Quick Start Guide - BNF set
The following steps will get you setup and ready to fly quickly. It is a condensed version intended for
experienced pilots. Each step is elaborated in more detail in this manual if you are new to this.
You will need to install a R/C receiver, configure the COLIBRI flight control, potentially adjust VTX frequency,
insert the battery and install the propellers.
This section requires the following equipment.
●Desktop or laptop computer for configuration (OS X/Win/Linux)
●5-ch R/C Radio transmitter and receiver with PPM/S-BUS/D-BUS
●5G8 FPV receiver system or FPV goggles
●Optional, Mobius HD camera (when using the film canopy)
Let’s go!
1. Connect the supplied PPM cable to the R/C receiver and the other end to the header on the I/O board
marked “PPM/CH1/UART2RX” - configure the receiver to output PPM/S-BUS/D-BUS
2. Depending on the R/C receiver, install it under the I/O board or over the CORE PNP25
3. Install the latest TauLabs GCS configuration software and connect a micro-USB cable to the COLIBRI
flight controller
4. (for S-BUS receivers only!) Open TauLabs GCS, open “Configuration”, go to the “Hardware” view,
change “RcvrPort” to “Disabled” and “UART2” to “S.BUS” - unplug all power to reboot
5. Turn on the radio, create a new model preset, attach the video transmitter antenna, connect a LiPo
battery to the frame, bind the receiver, open the “Input” view (in Taulabs GCS, under the
“Configurations” tab) and run through the “Configuration Wizard” to map the controls and switches,
go to “Arming Settings” and change it to “Yaw Right”, flip the flight mode switch to “Pos. 1 Leveling”
6. Now, cut the metal strips to 10 mm pieces and bend two of the ends to form a half-triangle, key the
location of the magnets on the side of the canopy and glue in place using superglue (see p15 for
details)
7. Cut away a small window on the video transmitter for the configuration switches and set it to one of
the supported frequencies for your video goggles
8. Mount the Mobius HD camera on the bottom of the frame using the velcro pad and rubber bands or
black tape, configure picture orientation to be upside-down
9. Insert the LiPo battery using the preinstalled elastic band, with the connectors facing forward
10. Prepare the propellers with the correct M4 adapter rings and install them with the text facing up,
rotating in the direction shown on the frame arms
11. Put on the canopy and antenna, connect the LiPo battery, start the Mobius recording and go fly!
6
R/C receiver
Install R/C receiver
A small or micro R/C receiver will fit underneath the I/O board, with the antennae feeding down the rear
arms. If the receiver is too big, mount it in the front section on top of the CORE PNP25 unit or under the
frame. Try to get as much separation between the R/C receiver- and VTX antenna as possible.
A short list of TBS recommended PPM/S-BUS/D-BUS receivers:
●FrSky D4R-II: Enable CPPM by shorting/jumping signal pin ch3 and ch4, now ch1 will output PPM,
ch2 will also output RSSI
●EzUHF 4ch Lite: Use the ImmersionRC Tools to make ch1 output PPM, the unit barely fits under the
I/O board and might require extending the SMA connector 10-15 mm
●DJI Phantom 2, DJI DR16 Rx: To use a DJI receiver, simply connect the supplied cable on the D-BUS
header and configure TauLabs GCS to use S-BUS -
Note that Phantom Vision/FC40 uses 5G8 control
and are thus not compatible with 5G8 video systems. All other DJI systems are on 2G4
For all other receivers, inspect the manufacturers instructions to identify the supported protocols,
dimensions and layout of output header(s). Traditional PWM channels for all controls is possible but requires
some planning, see section later in the manual.
Power is provided by a 5V regulator on the frame. Use the supplied PPM cable to connect power to the R/C
receiver. If you consider using a Spektrum satellite receiver, see the installation section later in the manual.
7
Receiver under I/O board
Be careful to cover up any exposed metal if there is a chance of short-circuiting anything on the I/O board.
1. Disconnect the red JST battery connector to the I/O board
2. Gently wiggle the front and back of the board to remove it from the sockets, be sure not to bend the
pins
3. Place the receiver between the three header sockets on the GEMINI board with antennae facing the
rear
4. Reposition the I/O board over the headers and press firmly to ensure all the sides are properly
installed. It is important that all the headers fit tightly into the sockets - no bulging/pushing. Connect
the other end of the PPM cable to the I/O board.
8
5. Strip the antenna to the arms, cut a slot in the top canopy to avoid the cable from being sheared off
Receiver under the frame
If the receiver is long and has a slim profile (<8 mm), it will fit between the battery and the the frame.
1. Connect the PPM cable to the receiver and it it through to the top side
2. Add a piece of adhesive foam tape to the receiver and position it on the rear end of the frame
3. Align the antenna connector to the edge of the frame and connect the PPM cable to the I/O board
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4. Add two foam pads and a foam sheet between the battery for protection and cushioning
5. Cut a notch in the bottom canopy for the antenna connector and antenna
An alternative way to install the EzUHF Lite, is to install it under the I/O board and modify the VTX plastic
support to let the PPM cable through. This lets the receiver sit tightly and with a SMA extension adapter will
put the antenna connector out on left-rear side.
Bind radio and receiver
Create a new model for the GEMINI if your radio supports presets. Pair your R/C radio and receiver as
instructed for your particular setup (FrSky, Futaba, Spektrum, DJI, EzUHF).
The following is a quick binding summary of the most popular radio system.
●FrSky Taranis: On radio, open Model Setup, select D8 (D4R-II) or D16 (X4R-SB) and enter Bind mode
- On the receiver hold the R/S button while applying power - rapid flashing indicates bind complete
●Futaba: Turn on the radio, when the RF signal LED is solid, press the “ID SET” button on the receiver
for two seconds - the LED on the receiver should turn solid when done
●Spektrum: Insert the binding plug on the receiver, on the radio hold the bind button on the back
while turning on the radio or use the bind menu - the receiver LED should stop flashing continuously
●DJI: Power the receiver, press the bind button, turn on the transmitter - the receiver LED should turn
off when complete
●EzUHF: Toggle the transmitter power switch to Low, hold the bind button while turning on the
transmitter, turn on the receiver and hold the bind button on the receiver for 5 seconds - the
transmitter should stop beeping
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