Micro APM Hardware "Just make it smaller.."

Just seen our friends over at HobbyKing have released some new hardware focused toward the mini guys

Or just get the whole Set

The Micro HKPilot Mega master set is a complete open source autopilot and flight controller system featuring matched hardware, cables for a Micro plug-and-play UAV control system.
The new micro Master set total weight is just 23.5g and all components can fit in a 35x35x30 cube, for the smallest UAV total solution available. Perfect for mini MultiRotors and Park UAV missions.
The HKPilot is based on the rapidly evolving and refined Ardupilot mega or “APM”, an open source project from 3DR robotics. This amazing flight controller allows the user to turn any fixed wing, rotary wing, or multi-rotor vehicle (even boats and cars) into a fully autonomous vehicle, capable of performing a wide range of tasks even programmed autonomous missions with waypoints, with the included micro high precision NEO-6M Ublox GPS.
Various user interfaces are available for programing, reviewing logs, setup and even some Apps for smart phones and tablets. The included telemetry radio, OSD, power sensor and GPS allow for full two way radio communication, giving you full control and provides live data back to your computer or tablet. The list of what this flight controller is capable of has quickly surpassed what it cannot. Feature rich settings, flight modes and supported platforms have made this the go-to UAV controller.
The HKPilot Mega Micro master set includes: The NEW Micro HKPilot Mega 2.7.2, the super precision Micro Ublox NEO-6M GPS module with integrated compass, Micro telemetry radio with built in PCB antenna and ground module for bi-directional data, 4s 60A PDB/BEC/ power sensor Module, Micro minim OSD for FPV feedback, complete matching cable sets for a plug-and-play experience.
This product is based on the open source APM Project from 3DR Robotics, the Cad files per the creative commons license are available under the files tab. The APM project is supported by thousands of users pushing this open source flight controller to be one of the best systems available.

So with the APM at the end of its life cycle as far as software support is concerned i do think its great we're getting these variants but how many will they really sell i wonder?

Richard & Jason - Is there any reasoning behind your statements about range? Or is it maybe possible that you just didn't read my comment correctly?

The Bluetooth telemetry module with built-in antenna I referred to transmits at 2.4Ghz. This one claims a range of 10m and this one 50m, and both claim "Up to +4dBm RF transmit power" - which is about 2.5mW. My own tests using a Asus Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy S3 seem to show an effective range of between 5-25m - which is absolutely pathetic.

The new micro telemetry modules from Hobby King transmit at 433Mhz and 915Mhz and, when compared to the bluetooth equivalent, these lower frequencies could theoretically get better reception when buried within a tightly packed micro. The longer wavelengths are also better suited to longer distances and penetrating things like tree canopies and walls. These little micro telemetry modules also claim "100mA at 20 dBm", which is 50 times more than the claimed output power of the bluetooth modules.

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Comments

Thomas Hazel January 29, 2015 at 4:54pm

I made the cut and am now having communication issues with Mission Planner. It hangs up on Getting Params... If I click "Cancel", I get artificial horizon and compass (I shouldn't get compass after cutting SJ10, right?), but no other parameters. Have I screwed this thing up?
ronhogwarts January 29, 2015 at 11:42am

Use this picture to reference, the cutting process and the way the pad looks is identical. http://copter.ardupilot.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/06/APMC...

Cut on that red line with a sharp knife several times, then check for continuity with a multimeter to ensure the two solder pads are no longer electrically joined.
Thomas Hazel January 29, 2015 at 11:32am

ronhogwarts--please tell me where to cut SJ10. The diagram included with the kit is ambiguous.
ronhogwarts January 29, 2015 at 9:25am

I fixed my issue with EKF error 2 all the time, turns out I had the compass orientation set wrong, similarly to the APM2.5 if the arrow on the main board and GPS point the same way on the way side then it is roll 180. My other issue with the wandering loiter mode turns out to be not leaving it plugged in for 3 minutes before arming, I saw a video on youtube a while back that explains and shows why this is needed (if anyone can find it that would be great) but it fixed the issue mine had.
ronhogwarts January 29, 2015 at 4:35am

If anyone has got this working with position hold or loiter, what have you set the compass orientation to if using the external compass (cut SJ10)?
Ben Norris January 21, 2015 at 5:21am

@Franc are you talking to me? I was comparing it to the mini, not confusing it.
Franc January 20, 2015 at 7:59pm

i think you are confusing mini and micro... that simply a mini-apm and has been sold for quite long time now
Jason January 19, 2015 at 11:03am

@Quadzimodo When I referenced range I was replying to Richard and comparing apples to apples. My comment was geared toward a full size UHF telemetry module that uses a rubber duck antenna (ie. the one that comes from 3DRobotics https://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio) VS this micro telemetry module that incorporates a built in PCB antenna.

I wouldn't consider a bluetooth link from the multirotor to my ground station. The range just isn't there. The only time I would use bluetooth would be from my ground station to my phone, or some other device that I will be a max of 20 or so feet from. The benefit of bluetooth would be that I don't have to have my telemetry physically tethered to me. I would however still use UHF to communicate with my multirotor.

A great example of a way I would use bluetooth is my graphic below... UHF from multirotor to ground module, then bluetooth to my tablet.
Ben Norris January 19, 2015 at 6:08am

Telem range kind of depends on whether you need it for the whole trip or just for convenience near takeoff/landing.

The main problem I have with the mini apm that this seems to solve is the lack of ready made cabling that means a lot of faffing around to build.

With boards this small it raises the question, why not build it directly into one PCB to fit a ZMR250 with a similar footprint to the overcraft pdb?
Quadzimodo January 18, 2015 at 5:35am

Richard & Jason - Is there any reasoning behind your statements about range? Or is it maybe possible that you just didn't read my comment correctly?

The Bluetooth telemetry module with built-in antenna I referred to transmits at 2.4Ghz. This one claims a range of 10m and this one 50m, and both claim "Up to +4dBm RF transmit power" - which is about 2.5mW. My own tests using a Asus Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy S3 seem to show an effective range of between 5-25m - which is absolutely pathetic.

The new micro telemetry modules from Hobby King transmit at 433Mhz and 915Mhz and, when compared to the bluetooth equivalent, these lower frequencies could theoretically get better reception when buried within a tightly packed micro. The longer wavelengths are also better suited to longer distances and penetrating things like tree canopies and walls. These little micro telemetry modules also claim "100mA at 20 dBm", which is 50 times more than the claimed output power of the bluetooth modules.

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