3DRobotics Pixhawk (PX4) Autopilot and KDE Direct UAS ESCs Installation

KDE Direct

KDE Direct, LLC.
Hey Everyone,

We get asked daily on compatibility and setup of the 3D Robotics Pixhawk (PX4) autopilots and others using the PX4 open-hardware platform. Being readily available and an open-source platform (easy to incorporate into commercial and industrial operations), it's a common flight-controller used in UAS applications and our KDE Direct UAS ESCs, UAS UBEC, and UAS Brushless Motors are a popular platform worldwide for these systems. The Pixhawk is a unique autopilot, in that no power (5V or 6V typically) is provided to the ESC control servo rail (MAIN OUT), and is isolated from the power-module for the Pixhawk itself. This is unlike most other flight controllers, such as the DJI systems (A2/A3, Wookong, NAZA-M V2, etc.), that supply power to the control rail, so no additional power is required and the ESCs are a plug-and-play installation for those autopilots.

The KDE Direct UAS ESCs are OPTO-isolated to the control-lead, which separates the negative-ground loops from the main-power (PDB) and the flight-electronics, significantly reducing noise and electrical interference that can cause issues for the flight-controller or video equipment. In this regard, a 5V or 6V power is required in order to properly arm and operate the ESCs in combination with the Pixhawk (PX4) autopilot. For this, the Team has created an Instruction Manual to best explain the process, hardware setup, and programming - for a quick and simple installation for your multirotor or UAS platform.

The full Instruction Manual is posted online and can be viewed via the Direct Link (PDF), as well as attached in PDF format and JPEG images below.

We hope this helps make installation a simple process, and please let us know if you have any questions (support@kdedirect.com).

Thanks,
Patrick Koegler
Owner, KDE Direct
 

Attachments

  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions.pdf
    1.4 MB · Views: 1,616
  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-1.jpg
    KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-1.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 800
  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-2.jpg
    KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-2.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 1,316
  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-3.jpg
    KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-3.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 1,656
  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-4.jpg
    KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-4.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 1,147
  • KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-5.jpg
    KDE Direct ESC - 3DR Pixhawk Instructions-5.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 873
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