Just seen our friends over at HobbyKing have released some new hardware focused toward the mini guys
Micro APM 2.7 (above)
Micro HKPilot OSD (below)
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?
Comments
Philippe - Yes, but you will likely have to construct a custom wiring harness.
Correction to my earlier post above regarding the diode issue - I meant to say low forward voltage drop, not low drop out.
Hi everybody ! Can anybody tell me if it possible to use the GPS of the normal APM on the micro-APM ? Thanks a lot !
Thanks for your the picture and the explanation
Eladio L. García de la Morena - Technically, the problem I described is to do with the actual Mini APM V3.1, not the Power Module. The picture you requested is attached below.
While the voltage issue I described was native to the Mini APM V3.1 - the Power Modules purchased from Ready To Fly Quads is also a bit of a problem because it outputs 5V, rather than the 5.3V native to the 3DR supplied power module. As you can imagine - using a power module that is not up to spec... then running the supply rail through cheaper (non LDO) diode is a recipe for disaster. My advise to anyone who might be less equipped to check for issues with their electronics is that they should avoid purchasing from smaller/cheaper suppliers so to prevent unplanned failures or accidents.
NOTE - This is not my first experience with faulty Drone/RC products, but it is my first bad product support experience. It is unlikely that I would purchase from Paul Baxter at ready To Fly Quads again as a result.
Hi @Quadzimodo,
Thank you for sharing the results of your research about the power board. I suspect that some of my problems with GPS and other issues with power stability comes from a defective power board. I was waiting to check it out (I haven't do it yet because I have to disarm my microquad to access to it again) but your findings confirm me that my worries about power board would be right.
Please, could you upload a picture or some detalis to locate your affected diode in the board to check it out?
Marnix Verschraegen - You mentioned that you found the problem on your board. What was it?
On a related not - below is an excerpt from a support email I sent to Witespy/RTF Quads just over a month ago. NOTE - I measured just 3.98V at the terminals of my FRSky D4R-II receiver.
"I ordered a couple of mini APM V3.1s a number of months back and have just come to use one of these items. After going through a successful setup process I found that one issue with the board voltage dropping by about a volt that I was unable to resolve. I tested this with three different power sources and nothing remedied the issue. Realising something was wrong I searched rcgroups for related symptoms and found that this unusual voltage drop issue is likely related to a manufacturing fault related to an incorrectly specified diode. NOTE - I can confirm that both the boards I received suffer from this problem and that the board voltage is normal when powered by USB."
This screengrab shows the board voltage when powered by USB
This screengrab shows the board voltage when powered by the supplied Witespy/RTF Quads Power Module
After several emails and waiting a month for Paul Baxter to come to the party with a solution - I ended up swapping out the affected diode (located on the bottom of the board) by salvaging a suitable replacement diode from an old APM 2.6 board. The diode I removed had a 0.750V drop, while the diode I replaced it with had a 0.25V drop.
Does someone nows how to reflash the mega 2560 bootloader on the HK Micro APM 2.7.2
i found the problem on my board, but my first board is still recognized as mega 2560 but the mission planner does not recognizes it anymore.
So i thouth perhaps reflash the bootloader of the mega 2560. I had the same problem once with my 3d printer and i had to reflash the bootloader...
Max2206
No modification for me. I used a walkera PWM Rx. I also used a standard APM/Pixhawk power module, as the PDB that came with the set is just 60A rating. I only had to change the connector for power, as the one in micro APM is smaller.
Maybe you just double check the wiring? But if it doesn't work on mission planner there might be something else that is wrong.
I have a big problem i ordered 2 of these with HK.
after installation and some modification to use a standard APM power module. connected the board to my GPS, ESCs and OrangeRX 9chan RX. Well it seems that the RX only works when i give poer from a lipo.
But my biggest problem is that i get no reaktion from my OrangeRX 9 chan RX. i tried him with some servo's and he works. What can i do to solve this problem. Is the board working without modifications with a standard RX or do i need to use a PPM receiver
Help needed.
I tried several things and i think i blow one of those boards. On my pc i see the port but the mission planner does not want to connect.
Max2206
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