3DR Pixhawk

Excl. VAT: £133.30 Incl. VAT: £159.96

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Excl. VAT: £133.30 Incl. VAT: £159.96
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Description

3DR Pixhawk

The 3DR PixHawk is the all-in-one board design combining the PX4FMU + PX4IO, the combined PX4FMU & PX4IO in the PixHawk will have an updated processor and sensor updates from ST Microelectronics which will deliver incredible performance and reliability at lower price points with a number of new features. The Pixhawk builds on the experience gained from the past year where many earlier adopters have been using the two separate boards. The original boards will remain in development and be fully compatible. The Pixhawk is designed to improve reliability and make integration easier with exceptional safety features compared to present solutions.

The Pixhawk has the addition of completely new functionalities, like programmatic scripting of autopilot operations with the flexible PX4 middleware running on the NuttX Real-Time Operating System, this will mean that there will be multithreading along with the convenience of a Unix / Linux like programming environments for the open source autopilot domain, the custom PX4 driver layer ensures better timing, this will create additional headroom on the RAM and flash for development of the Pixhawk and the additional functions it will offer.

The Pixhawk offers its own complete flight control stack, however it will benefit from the ArduPilot Mega code as it has been ported over to the PX4 systems, current ArduPilot Mega users should find the transition to the Pixhawk much easier as the use of the code and systems will be very closely matched meaning that the barriers have been removed to allow many more users to take advantage of the Pixhawk.

The Pixhawk module will have new peripheral options, these include support for an external multi-color LED indicator, a digital airspeed sensor and an external magnetometer, and like the ArduPilot Mega all of the peripherals will be automatically detected and configured when the Pixhawk is used.

Pixhawk 3DR PPM Encoder

Pixhawk Air Speed Sensor


Features

  • 32 bit ARM Cortex M4 Processor running NuttX RTOS

  • 14 PWM / Servo outputs (8 with failsafe and manual override, 6 auxiliary, high-power compatible)

  • Abundant connectivity options for additional peripherals (UART, I2C, CAN)

  • Integrated backup system for in-flight recovery and manual override with dedicated processor and stand-alone power supply

  • Backup system integrates mixing, providing consistent autopilot and manual override mixing modes

  • Redundant power supply inputs and automatic failover

  • External safety switchMulticolor LED main visual indicator

  • High-power, multi-tone piezo audio indicator

  • microSD card for long-time high-rate logging

Included parts with Pixhawk:

  • Buzzer

  • Safety switch button

  • 3DR power module with XT60 connectors and 6-position connector cable

  • Extra 6-position cable to connect a 3DR GPS+Compass module

  • Micro USB cable

  • SD card and USB adapter

  • Mounting foam

  • 3-wire servo cable


Specifications

  • 32bit STM32F427 Cortex M4 core with FPU

  • 168 MHz

  • 256 KB RAM

  • 2 MB Flash

  • 32 bit STM32F103 failsafe co-processor

  • ST Micro L3GD20H 16 bit gyroscope

  • ST Micro LSM303D 14 bit accelerometer / magnetometer

  • MEAS MS5611 barometer i

    nterfaces

  • 5x UART (serial ports), one high-power capable, 2x with HW flow control

  • 2xCAN

  • Spektrum DSM / DSM2 / DSM-X Satellite compatible input

  • Futaba S.BUS® compatible input and output

  • PPM sum signal

  • RSSI (PWM or voltage) input

  • I2C

  • SPI

  • 3.3 and 6.6V ADC inputs

  • External micro USB port

  • Power System and Protection

  • Ideal diode controller with automatic failover

  • Servo rail high-power (7V) and high-current ready

  • All peripheral outputs over-current protected, all inputs ESD protected

  • Monitoring of system and servo rails, over current status monitoring of peripherals

Dimensions

  • Weight: 38g

  • Width: 50mm

  • Thickness: 15.5mm

  • Length: 81.5mm

Reviews

Customer Reviews 2 item(s)

Powerful flight controller for experienced users
Disclaimer: I only logged a few hours so far flying the PixHawk on a custom quad. Usage is aerial photography and a bit of FPV.

I have been using multiple Flight Controllers, some proprietary, some open, and have seen continuous improvements over the years, most notably on the software side. The PixHawk is one of the latest in the open hardware field, and benefits from all the development done on its predecessors, the APMs.

Build of this FC is top notch, a bit on the heavy side (40g) but solid/well protected. Provided current sensor powers all of my flight peripherals: the PixHawk, GPS, external magnetometer, serial downlink (900MHz 3DR) and UHF RC receiver.

Connectors between the PixHawk and its peripherals are flimsy, do not take them out like 3DR recommends, by pulling the wires, as you'll take the contacts apart. Instead, unseat the connector with a light screwdriver lever action will pulling, taking your time. This is a bit of a pain, fortunately you do not disconnect the peripherals too often.

The latest (to date, 3.1.5) software is very stable. The standard PC ground station, APM planner 2, is a bit convoluted and needs some time getting used to, however there are other open source alternatives like qGroundControl GCS (warning, beta software).

In flight, I appreciate the stability of the controls, the autotune feature, and the many optimization of flight envelopes that make it very enjoyable for aerial photography. The controls are less responsive than I like, as the control deadband is too wide. It might be tunable, though. Autotune attempts to set your PID controller parameters automatically, and does a good job getting you there.

By default the flight mode (Stabilize, Loiter, altitude hold, return to home, etc...) is set by a single channel, and accepts 6 values. This is a bad design, and requires to juggle a bit with your remote mixer configuration of you want to use multiple switches. Once you get the trick it works fine. I am using a Multiplex Royal Pro 16.

All in all, I would not recommend this FC for beginners, but if you have a bit of an experience or if you do not mind a some tinkering (and learning a lot in the process with a great community), this is the best Flight Controller around today.
Your Rating
Review by Yves / (Posted on 11/08/2014)
Powerful flight controller for experienced users
Disclaimer: I only logged a few hours so far flying the PixHawk on a custom quad.

I have been using multiple flight controllers, some proprietary, some open, and have seen continuous improvements over the years, most notably on the software side.

The PixHawk is one of the latest, and benefits from all the development done on its predecessors, the APMs.

Build of the FC is top notch, a bit on the heavy side (40g) but solid/well protected. Provided current sensor powers all of my flight peripherals: the PixHawk, GPS, external magnetometer, serial downlink (900MHz 3DR) and UHF RC receiver.

Connectors between the PixHawk and its peripherals are flimsy, do not take them out like 3DR recommends, by pulling the wires, as you'll take the contacts apart. Instead, unseat the connector with a light screwdriver lever action will pulling, taking your time. This is a bit of a pain, fortunately you do not disconnect the peripherals too often.

The latest (to date, 3.1.5) software is very stable. The standard PC ground station, APM planner 2, is a bit convoluted and needs some time getting used to, however there are other open source alternatives like qGroundControl GCS (warning, beta software).

In flight, I appreciate the stability of the controls, the autotune feature, and the many optimization of flight envelopes that make it very enjoyable for aerial photography. The controls are less responsive than I like, as the control deadband is too wide. It might be tunable, though. Autotune attempts to set your PID controller parameters automatically, and does a good job getting you there.

By default the flight mode (Stabilize, Loiter, altitude hold, return to home, etc...) is set by a single channel, and accepts 6 values. This is a bad design, and requires to juggle a bit with your remote mixer configuration of you want to use multiple switches. Once you get the trick it works fine. I am using a Multiplex Royal Pro 16.

All in all, I would not recommend this FC for beginners, but if you have a bit of an experience or if you do not mind a some tinkering (and learning a lot in the process with a great community), this is the best Flight Controller around today.
Your Rating
Review by Yves / (Posted on 11/08/2014)

Customer Reviews 2 item(s)

Powerful flight controller for experienced users
Disclaimer: I only logged a few hours so far flying the PixHawk on a custom quad. Usage is aerial photography and a bit of FPV.

I have been using multiple Flight Controllers, some proprietary, some open, and have seen continuous improvements over the years, most notably on the software side. The PixHawk is one of the latest in the open hardware field, and benefits from all the development done on its predecessors, the APMs.

Build of this FC is top notch, a bit on the heavy side (40g) but solid/well protected. Provided current sensor powers all of my flight peripherals: the PixHawk, GPS, external magnetometer, serial downlink (900MHz 3DR) and UHF RC receiver.

Connectors between the PixHawk and its peripherals are flimsy, do not take them out like 3DR recommends, by pulling the wires, as you'll take the contacts apart. Instead, unseat the connector with a light screwdriver lever action will pulling, taking your time. This is a bit of a pain, fortunately you do not disconnect the peripherals too often.

The latest (to date, 3.1.5) software is very stable. The standard PC ground station, APM planner 2, is a bit convoluted and needs some time getting used to, however there are other open source alternatives like qGroundControl GCS (warning, beta software).

In flight, I appreciate the stability of the controls, the autotune feature, and the many optimization of flight envelopes that make it very enjoyable for aerial photography. The controls are less responsive than I like, as the control deadband is too wide. It might be tunable, though. Autotune attempts to set your PID controller parameters automatically, and does a good job getting you there.

By default the flight mode (Stabilize, Loiter, altitude hold, return to home, etc...) is set by a single channel, and accepts 6 values. This is a bad design, and requires to juggle a bit with your remote mixer configuration of you want to use multiple switches. Once you get the trick it works fine. I am using a Multiplex Royal Pro 16.

All in all, I would not recommend this FC for beginners, but if you have a bit of an experience or if you do not mind a some tinkering (and learning a lot in the process with a great community), this is the best Flight Controller around today.
Your Rating
Review by Yves / (Posted on 11/08/2014)
Powerful flight controller for experienced users
Disclaimer: I only logged a few hours so far flying the PixHawk on a custom quad.

I have been using multiple flight controllers, some proprietary, some open, and have seen continuous improvements over the years, most notably on the software side.

The PixHawk is one of the latest, and benefits from all the development done on its predecessors, the APMs.

Build of the FC is top notch, a bit on the heavy side (40g) but solid/well protected. Provided current sensor powers all of my flight peripherals: the PixHawk, GPS, external magnetometer, serial downlink (900MHz 3DR) and UHF RC receiver.

Connectors between the PixHawk and its peripherals are flimsy, do not take them out like 3DR recommends, by pulling the wires, as you'll take the contacts apart. Instead, unseat the connector with a light screwdriver lever action will pulling, taking your time. This is a bit of a pain, fortunately you do not disconnect the peripherals too often.

The latest (to date, 3.1.5) software is very stable. The standard PC ground station, APM planner 2, is a bit convoluted and needs some time getting used to, however there are other open source alternatives like qGroundControl GCS (warning, beta software).

In flight, I appreciate the stability of the controls, the autotune feature, and the many optimization of flight envelopes that make it very enjoyable for aerial photography. The controls are less responsive than I like, as the control deadband is too wide. It might be tunable, though. Autotune attempts to set your PID controller parameters automatically, and does a good job getting you there.

By default the flight mode (Stabilize, Loiter, altitude hold, return to home, etc...) is set by a single channel, and accepts 6 values. This is a bad design, and requires to juggle a bit with your remote mixer configuration of you want to use multiple switches. Once you get the trick it works fine. I am using a Multiplex Royal Pro 16.

All in all, I would not recommend this FC for beginners, but if you have a bit of an experience or if you do not mind a some tinkering (and learning a lot in the process with a great community), this is the best Flight Controller around today.
Your Rating
Review by Yves / (Posted on 11/08/2014)

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