CUAV Pixhawk V6X

The CUAV Pixhawk V6X from China is an implementation of the open FMUv6X standard for heavy multicopters. The module sits on a baseboard and is intended for platforms that need several power supplies, many outputs and redundant sensors.

The processor is an STM32H753 at 480 MHz, supplemented by an STM32F103 for the inputs and outputs. Three IMUs of different types – BMI088, ICM-42688-P and ICM-20649 – reduce the risk that one common fault hits all sensors at once; there are also two ICP-20100 barometers and an RM3100 magnetometer. The interfaces include 16 PWM, 3 TELEM, 2 GPS, 2 CAN, 100 Mbit Ethernet, SPI and four power ports, two for DroneCAN and two for SMBus. The input voltage is 5.7 V at most, and the servo rail runs at 0 to 9.9 V. The 99 g exceptionally cover the whole flight controller module: core 43 g plus baseboard 56 g. This is the first revision; the successor V6X V2 is a product of its own.

Under the NDAA rules, US federal authorities may not procure flight controllers from Chinese manufacturers. In the EU the finished drone determines the class; for heavy platforms above 25 kg take-off mass or for flights beyond visual line of sight, the specific category applies.

When selecting, the power supply with a matching module matters, because the input voltage is only slightly above 5 V. Different IMU types allow the filters to be tuned finely. Wear sits in the connectors between core and baseboard and in the vibration damping; after every modification the IMU and compass are calibrated again, and parameters are saved before a firmware change.