Holybro Pixhawk 6X

The Holybro Pixhawk 6X (China) is an autopilot module following the Pixhawk FMUv6X standard for mid-size multicopters. The module plugs into a baseboard, which is offered in a standard and a mini version.

The processor is an STM32H753 (Cortex-M7, 480 MHz, 2 MB flash, 1 MB RAM), with an STM32F103 handling the outputs. Three ICM-45686 IMUs supply the attitude; they are identical, which simplifies filtering but offers no type diversity against a common fault. Two barometers – ICP20100 and, depending on the build, BMP388, BMP580 or BMP581 – secure altitude, and an NXP SE050 secure element protects keys. Ethernet and the Pixhawk bus with 100 and 50 pins connect the module to the baseboard, and PX4 from 1.14.3 and ArduPilot from 4.5.0 run on it. The module measures 38.8 × 31.8 × 16.8 mm and weighs 31.3 g; the Holybro documentation gives 23 g instead. The baseboards measure 52.4 × 102 × 16.7 mm (standard) and 43.4 × 72.8 × 14.2 mm (mini). The input voltage is 6 V at most (USB 4.75 to 5.25 V, servo rail 0 to 36 V).

The NDAA rules exclude flight controllers from Chinese manufacturers from US federal contracts. In the EU the finished drone determines class, Remote ID and geo-awareness.

When selecting, the baseboard choice counts for ports and weight. With the firmware floor of 1.14.3 and 4.5.0, older software is ruled out. The Pixhawk bus is the mechanical weak point: it is detached rarely and checked for contact; after every modification all sensors are calibrated.