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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

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

Interfaces
  • 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.

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Comments

  • Thanks Felix

    That's exactly what I was trying to find.

    I've just bought me a Minim OSD

    much appreciated

    AJ

  • Distributor

    Hi Alan,

    check this thread on the forum

  • Has anyone got an OSD working with Pixhawk yet?

    I've found a thread that says OSD is now supported by the current version of Mission Planner, but I can't find any info on how to connect it all up?

  • Mine arrived two weeks ago.
    I've put it into a mini quad to check it out.
    So far I'm very pleased with it.
    More soon
    AJ
  • 3D Robotics
    Xian:all backorders have been shipped. If you have not already gotten a shipment notice, please contact customer service directly with your order number.
  • Still waiting for it. Ordered 2013-09-02

  • Just received my pixhawk in the mail this evening!  I ordered it 1-2 weeks ago so I wasn't expecting to see it for at least another couple of weeks.  I can't wait to get this flying with my F450 frame!

  • Balloon,

    Yes, I know. I was being sarcastic due to my disappointment in a few things that should clearly be laying flat on the Pixhawk. The RSSI pin is the signal pin next to the PPM input or SBUS in. The rub is, good luck trying to find its pin number in MP. Without the pin number, you have no RSSI in MP.

    As for the GPS/MAG combo, if you were to have bought a 3rd party one and weren't paying close attention, you would have the compass rose going reverse of actual. This is because 3DR installed the compass chip upside down. The Pixhawk FW automatically assumes you have a 3DR unit, thus the reversal if you don't have a 3DR GPS/MAG. Hope it makes sense.

    The time spent releasing this project, there is no excuse for the low hanging fruit, like RSSI, not to be addressed properly.

    Steven

  • Steven,
    I still don't know RSSI pin on board. But, I will check next time. And, My GPS/Compass is from 3DR. On MP is should select PixHawk. Because, When are you connect compass to I2C on board. It will automatic disable internal compass and Enable External Compass.
  • Ballon,

    Forgot, what GPS/Mag combo did you use? Did you use a non-3DR one? Did you remember to check that the right box for it being 180 over due to the fact that 3DR built theirs upside down?

This reply was deleted.