Erni:
I don't see a datasheet from an original manufacture stating it's designed to work at other then 'standard' servo update/pulse width control.
I was suprised when I started looking for datasheets for ESC's that I couldn't find any specification of the update/pulse width. The only thing I could find was Castle Creation (one of the top brands of ESC's) has announced an upgrade to their firmware that should make their ESC suitable for multirotors.
So I could ask the same question to retrolefty:
How do you know that the standard servo update/pulse is within the specifikations when there is none. ?
<- smiley
Because a ESC sold with a standard servo control connector strongly implies that it is suitable for the 'standard' variable pulse width and frame rate specifications that the R/C hobby has been using for many decades now, unless they stated otherwise in their datasheet. As such I would not assume any operation far from that 'standard' timings unless also documented in their datasheet.
I think (I presume) that this standard servo specification goes back to the good old happy days of ppm TX/RX.
Of course, that's my point. This thread is about using R/C type ESCs at frame rates well above that 'R/C standard' which seems to be possible via hand testing of some units from some manufactures. I question was really about OEMs documenting/verifying operation at other faster framing rates.
AFter we have got all the pcm/spcm/spread spectrum technic it seems like vendors are more relaxed about the specifications.
for example if you look at the Spektrum DX8:
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMAR7610
it states: High-speed 11ms frame rate.
That's a start, that would mean they are rating their device able to support up to twice the framing rate, maybe other OEMs will also start documenting such specifications.
And although there has been numerous complaints with this system, if have not heard of any having trouble with their standard ESC.