DroneCore 2

10 times faster time to market for UAS developers

DroneCore 2 is a modular AI-driven open architecture autopilot designed for complex use cases that combines high computational processing power, redundant connectivity, small size, and low weight.

AI-driven autopilot with NVIDIA Jetson, Cube, and ESCs

• NVIDIA Jetson: Xavier NX or Orin NX
• CubePilot: Cube Orange+, Blue or Red
• ESCs: 4x FOC-based speed controller

Features

Modular design: single motherboard with various extension boards
Unique modular design allows manufacturers to combine a single motherboard with various extension boards with all required peripherals and connectors.

Various hardware configuration options
Jetson Orin NX™ with support for various CSI and USB cameras (IMX477, OV9281, Flir Hadron, Intel Realsense, Ximea, Allied Vision, etc.)

Redundant FMU
Dual flight controller architecture for different use cases

• The Cube Pilot (Orange+ or Blue) as primary autopilot
• STM32H7 onboard FMU as secondary autopilot

Powerful SDK and easy-to-use API interface

• ROS2-based SDK ready to use for autonomous flights
• Unified Python API for various software layers (hardware access, localization, navigation, AI, etc.)
• Open Source architecture

Various vehicles support
Support for different types of drones like VTOL, copters, planes, rovers, etc.

Redundant power supply options
9 – 30V power supply

Specifications

Purpose

• The purpose of DroneCore 2.0 is to speed up UAS development with a cutting edge autopilot solution.
• With rich connectivity and modular architecture, version 2.0 is suitable for serial production of custom UASs.

Mechanical parameters

• Weight 206g - including Cube orange, Xavier NX, Xavier heatsink with fan
• Dimensions 119.5 x 51 x 41mm

Primary FMU Connections (CUBE Pilot)

• Direct PWM output (6 + 8 lines)
• PPM input
• 2x CAN, 4x UART, 2x I2C, analog
• Power sensor input, buzzer

Electrical parameters

• Power supply range: 12V – 35V (6S LiHV)
• Integrated DC/DC converter for control circuits
• Redundant power supply with power good monitoring for control unit
• Current protected peripheral connectors
• 4 x FOC UAVCAN ESC 40A, featuring motor identification and motor diagnostics
• Power sensor, SMBUS

DroneCore.Power (bottom power board)

• 4 x FOC UAVCAN ESCs – 40A peak / 20A permanent
• power sensor, SMBUS,
• LED Driver for 4x WS2812B strips

Ardupilot (Cube) Connections

• PPM input
• PWM output (7 + 7 lines)
• 2x CAN
• 4x UART
• 2x I2C
• Buzzer
• Power sensor input
• ADC input
• Buzzer

Jetson connections:

• PCI Express (M2, Key E connector)
• 4x USB 3.0 (ZIF connectors, reductions available)
• Gigabit Ethernet (ZIF connector, reductions available)
• 6 CSI (22 pin)
• 4 GPIO
• UAV CAN, UART, I2C, SPI
• IMU BMI088 and barometer BMP388 on board
• USB 2.0 for debugging
• Micro SD card
• Video output connector (micro HDMI)
• Fan

Details:

DroneCore.Suite consists of these main blocks

DroneCore.Pilot - top board for control of the aircraft containing

• Jetson Xavier NX
• Cube flight controller
• Internal 5V power supply
• Power selector
• Peripheral connectors
• USB hub

DroneCore.Power - bottom board with power electronic containing

• 4 FOC UAVCAN ESCs - 20A permanent / 40A peak current
• Power sensor (battery voltage and current measurement)
• Analog inputs for battery cell monitoring
• SMBUS
• LED Driver for 4 x WS2812B strips

DroneCore.Suite provides easy to use ROS based software stack supporting development of autonomous applications.

Out of the box device is configured to fly a quadcopter (though flight controller calibration is needed anyway).

Click here for documentation!