COFDM Video Transmitter Parameters Explained

Complete Explanation of COFDM Video Transmitter Parameters

Understanding FREQ, peso corporal, FEC, soldado americano, MAPA, ATTEN, UART, EVNE, and Channel Lock

When customers receive a COFDM video transmitter, they often notice a set of technical parameters displayed on the screen or OSD (Visualización en pantalla). A typical example might look like this:

For many users, especially those who are not radio engineers, these values look confusing. sin embargo, each of them plays a crucial role in how the COFDM transmitter sends stable, low-latency video over long distances.
This article explains all these parameters in detail, what they stand for, and how to adjust them correctly for your application — whether you are using COFDM transmitters for drones, vehículos, or tactical video systems.

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FREQ — Frequency

Full Name: Frecuencia de operación
Ejemplo: FREQ: 830MHz

This shows the frecuencia central de RF used by the transmitter. It defines where in the radio spectrum the video signal is transmitted.

como funciona:
The transmitter modulates the digital video signal into an RF carrier. The receiver must tune to the exact same frequency to demodulate and decode the video.

Typical frequency ranges:

• 300–900 MHz for long-range, better penetration through obstacles.
• 1.2 GHz, 2.4 GHz, o 5.8 GHz for short-distance, higher data rate transmission.

Impact:

• Lower frequency (P.EJ., 700–900MHz): Better penetration and longer range, ideal for drones or mobile units in urban areas.
• Higher frequency (P.EJ., 5.8 GHz): Higher throughput, but shorter range and more easily blocked by buildings.

Practical Tip:
Always make sure the transmitter and receiver use exactly the same frequency. Even a 1 MHz difference will cause the receiver to lose lock.

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BW — Bandwidth

Full Name: Canal de Banda ancha
Ejemplo: BW: 2MHz

Bandwidth defines how wide the transmitted signal is on the frequency spectrum. It determines how much data (video + control) can be transmitted at once.

Common values: 1 megahercio, 2 megahercio, 4 megahercio, 8 megahercio.

Explanation:

• UN wider bandwidth allows more data throughput, enabling higher-resolution or higher-frame-rate video.
• UN narrower bandwidth uses less spectrum and provides longer range and stronger penetration, but at the cost of data speed.

Example comparison:

Ancho de banda	Velocidad de datos	Rango	Suitable For
1 megahercio	Bajo	más largo	Low bitrate or SD video
2 megahercio	Medio	Largo	HD video over long distance
4 megahercio	Alto	Medio	High-quality HD or low-latency video
8 megahercio	muy alto	Corto	Close-range or line-of-sight applications

Practical Tip:
For drone or tactical applications, 2 megahercio is often the best balance between range and quality.

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FEC — Forward Error Correction

Full Name: Corrección de errores hacia adelante
Ejemplo: FEC: 2/3

FEC adds redundant information to the transmitted signal so that the receiver can detect and correct errors caused by noise, interferencia, or weak signal conditions.

Typical ratios: 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6.

Interpretación:

• 1/2 → Strong error protection (half of the data is error correction).
• 5/6 → Weaker error protection but higher throughput.

Effect on performance:

• Lower FEC ratio = more reliable link, less data rate.
• Higher FEC ratio = faster data rate, needs strong signal.

Ejemplo:
For long-distance drone transmission, FEC = 1/2 o 2/3 is ideal.
For short-range, high-quality streaming, you can use 3/4 o 5/6.

Practical Tip:
If your video occasionally freezes or breaks under weak signal, try lowering FEC to 1/2.

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GI — Guard Interval

Full Name: Intervalo de guarda
Ejemplo: GI: 1/32

A guard interval is a short pause inserted between COFDM symbols to prevent inter-symbol interference caused by reflections or multipath signals.

Why it matters:
In real-world environments, radio signals bounce off walls, vehículos, or the ground, creating multiple delayed copies of the same signal. Without a guard interval, these reflections would overlap and corrupt the next symbol.

Valores típicos: 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32.

Effect:

• Longer GI (P.EJ., 1/4): Better resistance to echoes, ideal for urban or complex terrain, but slightly reduces data rate.
• Shorter GI (P.EJ., 1/32): Higher speed, suitable for open field or direct line-of-sight links.

Ejemplo:
If you’re transmitting through buildings or around corners, set GI to 1/8 o 1/16.
If it’s a clear open field, 1/32 works fine.

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MAP — Mapping (Tipo de modulación)

Full Name: Constellation Mapping o Tipo de modulación
Ejemplo: MAP: QPSK

MAP defines how binary data (0s and 1s) are mapped onto the carrier wave — essentially, which modulation scheme is used.

Common modulation types:

• QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying): Transmits 2 bits per symbol; very stable, suitable for weak signals and long range.
• 16QAM: Transmits 4 bits per symbol; higher throughput, but needs strong signal.
• 64QAM: Transmits 6 bits per symbol; maximum data rate but most sensitive to noise.

Effect:

Modulación	Bits/Symbol	Velocidad de datos	Signal Tolerance
QPSK	2	Bajo	Excelente
16QAM	4	Medio	Moderado
64QAM	6	Alto	Bajo

Practical Tip:
For long-range, móvil, or drone systems, QPSK is the best option.
If your system is fixed and the signal is strong, 16QAM can improve throughput.

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ATTEN — Attenuation

Full Name: Transmit Power Attenuation
Ejemplo: ATTEN: 0dB

This parameter adjusts the output RF power of the transmitter.
Attenuation simply means how much the signal is reduced before transmission.

como funciona:

• 0 dB = full output power (no reduction).
• Higher dB value = signal power reduced by that amount.

Effect:

• Lower attenuation (P.EJ., 0 dB): maximum power, longest range.
• Higher attenuation (P.EJ., 10 dB): reduced power, useful for short-range testing or avoiding interference.

Ejemplo:
When testing indoors, set ATTEN to 10–20 dB to prevent saturating the receiver.
For actual flight or field use, usar 0 dB to maximize range.

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UART — Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter

Ejemplo: UART: 19200

UART refers to the serial communication interface used to configure or control the COFDM module through a data cable or host controller.

19200 represents the tasa de baudios — the communication speed between the transmitter and the controlling device.

Common baud rates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 115200.

Objetivo:

• Configuración de parámetros (frecuencia, fuerza, ancho de banda, etc.)
• Firmware upgrades
• Status feedback (intensidad de la señal, temperatura, etc.)

Practical Tip:
When connecting to a PC or microcontroller, ensure both ends use the same baud rate and parity settings (see “EVNE” below).

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EVNE — Even Parity

Ejemplo: EVNE o EVEN

This refers to the parity bit used in UART communication. It’s a simple form of error detection that ensures data integrity.

Opciones:

• EVEN (EVNE): Incluso paridad
• ODD: Odd parity
• NINGUNO: No parity bit

Función:
Parity bits help detect transmission errors during serial communication.
If the parity doesn’t match between the transmitter and the connected device, data may appear as random symbols.

Practical Tip:
Set the same parity (EVEN/ODD/NONE) on both devices to ensure stable communication.

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Channel Lock

Display Example: “Channel Lock” or “Lock OK”

This message indicates that the receiver has successfully locked onto the transmitter’s COFDM signal — meaning all parameters (frecuencia, ancho de banda, FEC, soldado americano, and modulation) match correctly.

If it shows “Unlocked” or “No Lock”:

• Check that both devices have the same frecuencia, ancho de banda, FEC, soldado americano, y modulación.
• Verify antennas are properly connected.
• Ensure signal strength is above the threshold.

Once “Channel Lock” appears, the receiver can decode the video and output stable image.

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Summary Table

Parámetro	Full Name	Ejemplo	Función	Key Effect
FRECUENCIA	Frecuencia	830 megahercio	Sets RF operating frequency	Must match TX/RX
peso corporal	Ancho de banda	2 megahercio	Defines channel width	Affects data rate & rango
FEC	Corrección de errores hacia adelante	2/3	Adds redundancy for reliability	Balances speed & estabilidad
soldado americano	Intervalo de guarda	1/32	Reduces multipath interference	Shorter GI = higher speed
MAPA	Mapeo de modulación	QPSK	Sets modulation scheme	Impacts throughput & signal robustness
ATTEN	Atenuación	0 dB	Adjusts transmit power	Higher ATTEN = lower power
UART	Interfaz serie	19200	Communication port	Used for control & configuración
EVNE	Even Parity	EVEN	UART parity setting	Prevents serial errors
Channel Lock	—	Locked/Unlocked	RF synchronization status	Must lock before video output

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Preguntas frecuentes (Preguntas más frecuentes)

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Conclusión

Understanding these COFDM parameters is essential for getting the best performance from your wireless video system.
Each setting—FREQ, peso corporal, FEC, soldado americano, MAPA, ATTEN, UART, EVNE—affects how your transmitter balances between rango, estabilidad, and video quality.

For most long-range drone and tactical video applications, the following configuration is recommended:

• FRECUENCIA: within 700–900 MHz
• peso corporal: 2 megahercio
• FEC: 2/3
• soldado americano: 1/16
• MAPA: QPSK
• ATTEN: 0 dB

With correct configuration and antenna alignment, COFDM technology can provide robust, baja latencia, non-line-of-sight video transmission in challenging environments.