Control Channel
The independent on/off output unit in the receiver that a command on the transmitter corresponds to. On AXI sets the channel count equals the number of relay outputs directly: the SF100 and SF200 have 2 channels, the ST100 comes in 2 and 4 channels, and the ST200 in 2, 4 and 6 channel options.
On the radio side a channel is not a separate frequency but a separate command bit carried within the same frame. In other words, a 6-channel set does not have six separate radio links; six independent relays are driven over a single link. This distinction matters, because increasing the channel count does not change the range; what increases the channel count is the number of relays in the receiver.
When planning channels, answer these three questions in order:
- How many separate movements are there on the machine?
- How many of those movements are bidirectional?
- Is a separate speed step or an auxiliary output such as a lock/brake needed?
On the product, the channel count is not a parameter that can be increased later by software; it depends on the receiver hardware. So even if 2 channels look sufficient today, if there is any chance of adding a boom or slew in the near future, starting with the 4-channel variant is usually more economical in terms of installation cost.
The context in which this term is used: Wireless Crane Remote Control Selection Guide