Digital Spectrum Modulation: A Serious Upgrade For Hobbyists
"Digital Spectrum Modulation" or DSM is a radio technology currently being adapted to RC cars, helicopters airplanes, robots and trucks. One problem that frequently plagued RC hobbyists is radio interference when multiple players are controlling cars and planes. DSM aims to eliminate this problem by having the user's controller emit a narrow band signal that changes from one frequency to the next within milliseconds. This subset of DSM is called Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum or FHSS. The other method of DSM is DSSS or Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum where a single frequency is used, but on a very wide band. DSSS is considered stronger and more reliable than FHSS. It uses just a small portion of the band to transmit unique encoded data to the user's controller.
Hobbyists who used to race RC cars often found that competitors?signals interfered in their driving and there are many cases of one person's car being hijacked?and a competitor with a stronger signal would be able to take control of the car's signal. DSM controllers (in the user's handset) and receiver (in the RC trucks) would make radio signal interference and hijacking impossible.
Even if you have an older RC car that has the traditional crystal and frequency range set-up, you can upgrade to DSM fairly simply. Hobby shops in your local area or online offer DSM modules starting around $40. Top of the line modules will go for $200+. In general if you are seeking a wider range of channels, you will have to pay more.
Hobbyists who used to race RC cars often found that competitors?signals interfered in their driving and there are many cases of one person's car being hijacked?and a competitor with a stronger signal would be able to take control of the car's signal. DSM controllers (in the user's handset) and receiver (in the RC trucks) would make radio signal interference and hijacking impossible.
Even if you have an older RC car that has the traditional crystal and frequency range set-up, you can upgrade to DSM fairly simply. Hobby shops in your local area or online offer DSM modules starting around $40. Top of the line modules will go for $200+. In general if you are seeking a wider range of channels, you will have to pay more.