ACCESSORIES: TELEMETRY LINK X-BUS

Maybe you want to know the voltage of your onboard battery(s), the RPM the motor is turning or the temperature of your ESC. In this day and age R/C is not just one way communication anymore. Traditional radio systems transmit signals from the controller to the receiver, but Telemetry-capable systems also send real-time data from your model back to your transmitter. The X-BUS Telemetry Link was developed based on communication protocol disclosed from Spektrum® for use with specific Spektrum® radios and compatible Castle Creations ESC’s. Telemetry data can be displayed on the transmitter screen, or notify you when a defined threshold is exceeded, (battery voltage, ESC temperature, etc.) you can configure a vibration or sound alert from the radio. Let’s start from the beginning.

Why should I integrate Telemetry into my models?

Telemetry has the potential not only to improve the safety of our models by monitoring battery voltages, ESC temperature, and other critical parameters, but it also creates other opportunities to get even more fun out of flying because it essentially reduces the risk of “unknown” inevitable crashes. Think of the benefits to be had from alarms that will sound to warn you if your ESC is running hot or if your receiver battery is running unexpectedly low.

Note: Not officially compatible with any Spektrum surface transmitters. Compatibility requires specific software in the transmitter that has not been provided by Spektrum for any of their surface transmitters.

Compatible Castle ESC

The ESC must have the ability to accept a bi-directional communication protocol that gives it the ability to transmit real-time telemetry feedback. This feature is called Link Live™ and needs to be enabled on compatible ESCs using Castle Link™. 

Note: The Telemetry Link will not work if the ESC is programmed for Multirotor or External Governor Mode due to the higher PWM frequency.

Air ESC Compatibility

Note: BEC Current will be available on future ESCs.

*Battery current not available in Mamba Micro X and Mamba Micro X2, all other X-series ESCs have battery current measurement.

**There is currently a bug with the Monster X 8s and XLX2; it prevents controller temperatures from being displayed correctly. At this time we do not know the cause of or have a solution to the issue. We are still investigating and are working with to try to find a solution.

***There is known bug in the Monster X 8s that prevents the current from reading correctly. At this time we do not know the cause of or have a solution to the issue. We are still investigating and are working with to try to find a solution.

Note: Spektrum does not officially support any surface transmitters for us with the Telemetry Link for Spektrum X-bus. Specific transmitter support is dependent on the radio manufacturer and cannot be updated by Castle.

Spektrum Transmitter Compatibility

ESC Configuration Resources

Castle Link USB Programming Instructions:

1. Download the interface software from our Software area.
2. Disconnect the AUX wire and/or Telemetry Link from the ESC, failure to do this may result in damage to your Castle Link USB Adapter.
3. Plug the Castle Link into the receiver lead on your controller and attach the mini USB cable included in the kit.
4. Connect the USB cable to your PC.

Vehicle Connection Resources

Before programming through Castle Link always disconnect the X-Bus wire and the ESC from the Telemetry Link.

1. The Telemetry Link typically does not require configuration in Castle Link upon initial set-up. However, you can enable/disable specific telemetry data points. This is useful if your ESC does not support one or more of the data points. To access these settings, disconnect the Telemetry Link from the X-Bus wire and the ESC and connect the brown, orange and yellow lead on the Telemetry Link to the Castle Link USB device.
2. Click on the “BASIC” tab.
3. Enable/disable data points by clicking the check boxes.
4. Click the “Update” button to save modified settings to your Telemetry Link.