Almost exactly one year after the first PX4 announcement, we would like to introduce our newest member of the family, Pixhawk! For those familiar with the existing PX4 electronics, it is the all-in-one board combining PX4FMU + PX4IO, combined with a processor and sensor update and a number of new features. The current board revisions will however remain in full service and active development and are fully compatible. Pixhawk is designed for improved ease of use and reliability while offering unprecedented safety features compared to existing solutions.
Pixhawk is designed by the PX4 open hardware project and manufactured by 3D Robotics. It features the latest processor and sensor technology from ST Microelectronics which delivers incredible performance and reliability at low price points.
The flexible PX4 middleware running on the NuttX Real-Time Operating System brings multithreading and the convenience of a Unix / Linux like programming environment to the open source autopilot domain, while the custom PX4 driver layer ensures tight timing. These facilities and additional headroom on RAM and flash will allow Pixhawk the addition of completely new functionalities like programmatic scripting of autopilot operations.
The PX4 project offers its own complete flight control stack, and projects such as APM:Copter and APM:Plane have ported their software to run as flight control applications. This allows existing APM users to seamlessly transition to the new Pixhawk hardware and lowers the barriers to entry for new users to participate in the exciting world of autonomous vehicles.
The flagship Pixhawk module will be accompanied by new peripheral options, including a digital airspeed sensor, support for an external multi-color LED indicator and an external magnetometer. All peripherals are automatically detected and configured.
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 switch
Multicolor LED main visual indicator
High-power, multi-tone piezo audio indicator
microSD card for long-time high-rate logging
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
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 microUSB port
Power System and Protection
Ideal diode controller with automatic failover
Servo rail high-power (up to 10V) and high-current ready (10A +)
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 (1.31oz)
Width: 50mm (1.96")
Thickness: 15.5mm (.613")
Length: 81.5mm (3.21")
Availability
This announcement is a service to our users and developers to allow them to plan their hardware roadmaps in time, and to show what we're currently working on. The board will not be immediately available, but 3D Robotics is taking pre-orders for Pixhawk now, and will begin shipping in late October [Update 11/11: the current expected ship date is late Nov]. The price is $199.99.
Comments
Hasn't been much of a problem for me, but OK.
I think the barometer really likes living in a box, as well.
Joe, to make Joshua's post more clear: The Pixhawk has the same mounting pattern as the original PX4. They just aren't exposed when it's in the case. Furthermore, that mounting pattern I believe is fairly close to the mounting pattern of the GPS board. So they should still stack nicely.
I'd still prefer to have mounting tabs on the case though. I would like to keep the case installed, as it provides some physical protection, and looks professional. I'm not concerned about the weight as my heli weighs 16lbs and can easily lift it's own weight again in payload. :)
Ok, here is the video of the DF-13 removal process:
http://youtu.be/GCeji0eplX4
Basically they need to be angled a specific way. In this case opposite to the direction of flight. All you do is rest your index finger behind the conector. Hold the cable close to the connector between your thumb and index finger. Finally just roll the cable over your index finger. It pops right off.
Joe,
The board mounting holes are: (4) M3 @ 30mm center to center (42mm diagonal C to C)
Ioan, hard to compare, not really the same scale at all.
In any case guys, all this talk about vibration, might be a moot point. I've seen some of the stuff going on in the background and the elaborate vibration damping schemes might be a thing of the past. The new sensors are sampling at 800 Hz, well above the propeller frequency, and running a better filter. So it could be that as long as your quad isn't a paint shaker, you won't need any damping at all. A little foam 2-side tape, and that's it.
Though I still prefer to have mounting hard points to ensure alignment. ;)
Basically the idea is to use FET's as diodes, for a virtually zero voltage drop. However, obviously this requires something to control the diodes, so there is some logic built in. The logic has been expanded to do all sorts of neat things: Overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection, over current protection, automatic fail-over to a second supply, error monitoring and reporting, etc. For example see:
http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4415
Excuse my ignorance, what is an ideal diode ?
The STM32F437 also integrates a crypto/hash processor providing hardware acceleration for AES-128, -192, -256, with now GCM and CCM support, Triple DES, and hash (MD5, SHA-1, and now SHA-2), in addition to the analog true random number generator featured on all STM32F4 devices.
This should allow for the radio link to be secured with little cpu overhead.
I wish it was out now a great project to get together throug the cold dark nights,come on burn the mid night oil,Marty
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