3689545284?profile=original

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.

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

  • 3D Robotics

    Ian: I think the answer is not yet: that's on the roadmap for the next software release. Some of the more exotic high-channel transmitters (9-12 channels) have weird PPM pulse trains, and we're testing and rolling in support for them gradually (although I think we're talking a month or two, not longer)

  • Chris: Thanks again. One more question and I will promise not to bug you till it is released. :-)

    I have a FrSky Taranis x9 ACCST Tansmitter. Can the Iris work with it?

  • 3D Robotics

    Thanks, Ian -- I think you'll see the pace of info Iris accelerating now that production is almost done. For example, we're already releasing the first tutorial videos on our G+ channel and an email to all pre-order customers went out last week. Initially, spare parts will be limited to props and feet/legs, mostly because Iris is designed to be super-tough and it's really hard to break anything else (I've never managed to even ding an arm or the body).  But over time we'll add more parts as needed. 

  • Chris: Thanks for responding. I am trying to be patient. I request that we get updates on a regular basis to keep the "punters" interest up.

    Also will there be a full compliment of spare parts available after it is released? I ask this for obvious reasons. :-)

     

    Please do not get me wrong, I am very excited about it and trying to be patient.

  • 3D Robotics
    Ian, we're still on target for mid-late Feb (ie, about three weeks) but will update as more samples come off the production line.
  • I know this is a Pixhawk update thread, but is there one for the IRIS consumer Edition that is actually ACTIVE? 3DR seem to be being very quiet about it, perhaps there are serious issues. CS just says the pat lines 2 - 4 weeks and have been doing that for well over the time period. I am beginning to wonder if it will ever get mainstream. If anyone could point me to an active thread on this I would appreciate it.

    I really like the Iris because if the enclosed design and cannot find a similar looking frame. I am thinking perhaps I should give up and go another route or build my own. :-(

  • Are there any discussions on using them for planes?  Almost all of the data that I've seen is for quads.  Really interested in development of a pitot static system for airspeed.

  • Hi Ian
    I received board Ver 2.4 , one week ago.
  • What is the current version of the Pixhawk that is shipping? (Hardware PCB)

  • I do not have order number. I sent money with paypal but I do not got any email.

     

This reply was deleted.