Hardware Ecosystem

Hardware Tutorials

Step-by-step guides on modding, soldering, and adding new peripherals to your drone.

Introduction Adding a WiFi Camera Tutorial Mounting X Breakout Adding I2C Sensor Tutorial Adding SPI Sensor Adding Servo Tutorial RC receiver Add PPM Receiver Adding Analog Sensor Flash ESP8266 ESP12F Using Dataflash ← Back

Introduction

Hardware Tutorials

Flight controllers

Primus X

Adding a WiFi camera
Adding a FPV camera
Adding a motor
Changing WiFi password
Connecting via router
Upgrading your firmware
Using UniBus to add a sensor

Add-ons

X-Breakout

Adding an analog sensor
Adding I2C sensor
Adding SPI device
Adding UART device
Adding Servo
Using Dataflash
Prototyping using breakout board

X-Ranging

X-Hulk

Adding a WiFi Camera Tutorial

primus x

Adding a WiFi Camera

Mounting X Breakout

primus x

Mounting X Breakout - Tutorial

This tutorial explains how to mount the X Breakout board on Primus X.

What do I need?

Primus X
X Breakout Board
Hex spacer assembly

Getting the hardware ready

PROVIDE IMAGES IN THE STEPS BELOW

Step 1: Insert the screw from the bottom of the Primus X board.

Step 2: Mount the supporter over the screw

Step 3: Mount the X Breakout board on Primus X board as shown.

Step 4: Tighten the arrangement with the bolt.

The final arrangement should look like this:

PROVIDE FINAL ARRANGEMENT IMAGE

Adding I2C Sensor Tutorial

x breakout

Adding I2C Sensor - Tutorial

This section explains how to add an I2C sensor.

What do I need?

Primus X
X-Breakout
I2C sensor - VL53L0x, APDS9960, etc.
Library files
Sensor mounting pad

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Use the JST to jumper connector to connect to the sensor

Step 2: Add X-breakout board to Primus X board.

Step 4: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 5: We strongly recommend reading the datasheet before interfacing the sensor.

Step 6: Using the appropriate jumper wires make the required connections.

Step 7: Please note the pin of UniBus on which I2C is used. Please note that this I2C is used by the MCU as well to communicate with its sensors. Any issue (For ex. shorting) will result in a system error.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following tutorial.

PROVIDE LINK FOR CYGNUS DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 2: Using the API documentation, understand how I2C can be interfaced.

PROVIDE LINK FOR API DOCUMENTATION DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 3: Using the APIs read the desired data

Demo

VIDEO HERE

Which sensors can I interface?

There are many analog sensors available. The constraint while choosing a sensor is weight, power and voltage levels. The weight of the sensor depends on the configuration of drone.

Examples of I2C sensors:

EXAMPLES HERE

Adding SPI Sensor

x breakout

Adding SPI Sensor

This section explains how to add an I2C sensor.

What do I need?

Primus X
X-Breakout
SPI sensor
Library files.
Sensor mounting pad.

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Use the JST to jumper connector to connect to the sensor.

Step 2: Mount X Breakout board on Primus X board.

Step 4: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 5: We strongly recommend reading the datasheet before interfacing the sensor.

Step 6: Using the appropriate jumper wires make the required connections.

Step 7: Please note the pin of UniBus on which SPI is used. Please note that this I2C is used by the MCU as well to communicate with its sensors. Any issue (For ex. shorting) will result in a system error.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following tutorial

PROVIDE CYGNUS LINK DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 2: Using the API documentation, understand how SPI can be interfaced.

PROVIDE API DOCUMENTATION LINK HERE

Step 3: Using the APIs read the desired data.

Demo

PROVIDE VIDEO HERE

Which sensors can I interface?

There are many analog sensors available. The constraint while choosing a sensor is weight, power and voltage levels. The weight of the sensor depends on the configuration of the drone.

Example of analog sensors:

PROVIDE EXAMPLES HERE

Adding Servo

x breakout

Adding Servo - Tutorial

This section explains how to add a servo.

What do I need?

Primus X
X Breakout
Servo mounting part
Servo 1.7g - with 1.25mm JST connector

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Ensure that the pin configuration of the servo matches the pin configuration of PWM port on X-breakout board.

Step 2: Mount the X-breakout board on Primus X board.

Step 3: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 4: Connect the servo with the PWM on X-breakout board.

Step 5: Please note the pin of UniBus from which the servo input is to be given. In our case we are using PIN 2.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following link to download and install Cygnus IDE.

Step 2: Use the API Documentation to understand the APIs associated with PWM port. Check API Documentation here.

Step 3: Using the ‘init’ API, initialize PIN 2 of the UniBus to give the input to the servo.

Step 4: Using the ‘write’ API, set the PWM value for the servo.

Step 5: Build the program and flash it onto Primus X board.

Step 6: Turn the Developer’s Mode ON for the servo to run at the given PWM.

Demo

Coming soon.
Let us know if you have done this project and you want to put your video here.

Tutorial RC receiver

rc receiver

How to integrate RC Receiver?

In this tutorial we will explore how to integrate your nano PPM receiver (FS-RX2A) to your Pluto X / Pluto 1.2 drone.

Steps:

Procure the RC receiver and remote as mentioned above
Prepare your nano receiver by soldering the 3-pin connector (1.25mm). You may use the flight controller pinout for verification.
Connect the receiver to your Primus X / Primus 1.2 board (below the wifi chip) as shown below:
Next we will bind the receiver and Transmitter. You may follow this tutorial. Once the receiver has binded, You should see a solid LED on the nano-receiver.
Now lets prepare the Flight controller by upgrading the necessary firmware using Pluto controller app.
Now lets prepare the Remote controller. As shown here.
Channel 5: ARM
Channel 6: Headfree mode / Maghold mode
Channel 7: Alt hold / throttle
Channel 8: Developer mode on/off
You can also center the throttle sticks with springs for ease of flying.
Once all the above configuration is all done, switch on the drone and the RC.
If every thing is configured properly you should see Solid green led. If you see anything else on the LED, connect to the drone using app and make sure that all the different calibrations are done.
To ARM the drone, toggle the arm switch (channel 5) and hold the throttle low.
Start flying.

Add PPM Receiver

primus x

How to integrate RC Receiver?

In this tutorial we will explore how to integrate your nano PPM receiver (FS-RX2A) to your Pluto X / Pluto 1.2 drone.

Steps:

Procure the RC receiver and remote as mentioned above
Prepare your nano receiver by soldering the 3-pin connector (1.25mm). You may use the flight controller pinout for verification.
Connect the receiver to your Primus X / Primus 1.2 board (below the wifi chip) as shown below:
Next we will bind the receiver and Transmitter. You may follow this tutorial. Once the receiver has binded, You should see a solid LED on the nano-receiver.
Now lets prepare the Flight controller by upgrading the necessary firmware using Pluto controller app.
Now lets prepare the Remote controller. As shown here.
Channel 5: ARM
Channel 6: Headfree mode / Maghold mode
Channel 7: Alt hold / throttle
Channel 8: Developer mode on/off
You can also center the throttle sticks with springs for ease of flying.
Once all the above configuration is all done, switch on the drone and the RC.
If every thing is configured properly you should see Solid green led. If you see anything else on the LED, connect to the drone using app and make sure that all the different calibrations are done.
To ARM the drone, toggle the arm switch (channel 5) and hold the throttle low.
Start flying.

Adding Analog Sensor

x breakout

Adding Analog Sensor

Flash ESP8266 ESP12F

primus x

Steps to flash your ESP

What do you need?

Hardware

USB to UART converter
Multi Strand wires
Solder Iron
Multimeter
Patience

Software

Node MCU
Firmware

Steps:

Carefully solder wires on your Pluto’s esp as follows.:

TX
RX
ESP_RST
GPIO0
GND
STM_RST

Also solder the VBAT as shown in the figure below.
Ensure those pins are not shorted using a multimeter
Ensure that the Pluto’s switch is in the “ON” position. Not “Charging”.
Prepare your FTDI device

Ensure that its 3.3V mode
You need the following pins

TX pin
RX pin
5V pin
GND pin

Hook up the pins as follows:

Pluto TX pin -> FTDI RX pin
Pluto RX pin -> FTDI TX pin
Pluto STM_RST -> GND (This step ensures that the STM doesn't interfere with the communication)
Pluto GND -> FTDI GND
Pluto VBAT -> 5V (Supply for Pluto) Min voltage 3.5V.
Caution: Do not supply directly 3.3V from FTDI chip, it doesnt have enough source current for your pluto.
Pluto ESP_RST -> Floating
Pluto GPIO0 -> Floating

Load all the files as shown below
Configure the serial port as shown below
Set the ESP in Bootloader mode using the following sequence:

Hold the Pluto GPIO0 pin to GND
Then use the Pluto ESP_RST pin to GND to reset the ESP. Please ensure that the ESP GPIO0 pin is still attached to GND pin, during the reset
Release the GPIO0 pin
Release the ESP_RST pin

You ESP is now in Bootloader mode.

Once your hardware setup is ready you can flash firmware using Flash Download Tool as follows:

Download “Flash Download Tools (ESP8266 & ESP32)” from the Espressif Website.
Open “Flash DownLoad Tools” application and select ESP8266 Tools
You will be presented with SPIdownload screen where you have to load firmware file and configure SPI settings to flash.
Load the firmware in application in the following order:

Firmware File	Address
blank.bin	0xfe000
blank.bin	0x3fe000
blank.bin	0x3fb000
esp_init_data_default_v05.bin	0x3fc000
boot_v1.6.bin	0x00000
4096_user1.bin	0x01000

Configure the SPI settings to following:

CrystalFreq: 26 M

SPI SPEED : 40 MHz

SPI MODE: QIO

FLASH SIZE: 32Mbit-C1

Using Dataflash

x breakout

Data logger tutorial

Load the data logger enabled firmware using either of the options:

Flash the drone with firmware in which flash is enabled. You can get the firmware from create.dronaaviation.com
Build the native firmware using the tutorial. Make necessary changes to enable dataflash log. This is done using uncommenting “#define BLACKBOX” in
PRIMUSX/target.h file in the magis project.

Prepare the drone

Mount the X-basic breakout board on PrimusX unibus
Mount it using the provided plastic spacer for connection integrity.
Switch on the drone
Arm it and fly it.
The data will start logging once we “Arm” the drone

Download the data from dataflash using Cleanflight Pluto configurator

Download the cleanflight software from https://create.dronaaviation.com/assets/downloads/PlutoConfigurator/Pluto_Configurator.zip
We strongly recommend a windows 7 machine for the software
Install this chrome app to your browser.
Switch on the drone and connect to the wifi, using correct SSID and password
Using pluto configurator, connect to the drone.
If the X-break out is connected correctly and the correct firmware is installed, you will see the data flash details (check figure).
You can download the dataflash using the left side bar menu called “Blackbox”. You can save it as “logfile.TXT”
Once downloaded the file, we now have to decode it.

Decode the downloaded file

Download the blackbox_decode tool from
https://github.com/cleanflight/blackbox-tools/releases/tag/v0.4.3
Once extracted, use the command prompt to run blackbox_decode.exe “logfile.TXT”
This will decode all the data and convert it to csv file.
You can now view the CSV file using excel.

Preparing for Takeoff

Hardware Ecosystem

Hardware Tutorials

Step-by-step guides on modding, soldering, and adding new peripherals to your drone.

Introduction

Hardware Tutorials

Flight controllers

Primus X

Adding a WiFi camera
Adding a FPV camera
Adding a motor
Changing WiFi password
Connecting via router
Upgrading your firmware
Using UniBus to add a sensor

Add-ons

X-Breakout

Adding an analog sensor
Adding I2C sensor
Adding SPI device
Adding UART device
Adding Servo
Using Dataflash
Prototyping using breakout board

X-Ranging

X-Hulk

Adding a WiFi Camera Tutorial

primus x

Adding a WiFi Camera

Mounting X Breakout

primus x

Mounting X Breakout - Tutorial

This tutorial explains how to mount the X Breakout board on Primus X.

What do I need?

Primus X
X Breakout Board
Hex spacer assembly

Getting the hardware ready

PROVIDE IMAGES IN THE STEPS BELOW

Step 1: Insert the screw from the bottom of the Primus X board.

Step 2: Mount the supporter over the screw

Step 3: Mount the X Breakout board on Primus X board as shown.

Step 4: Tighten the arrangement with the bolt.

The final arrangement should look like this:

PROVIDE FINAL ARRANGEMENT IMAGE

Adding I2C Sensor Tutorial

x breakout

Adding I2C Sensor - Tutorial

This section explains how to add an I2C sensor.

What do I need?

Primus X
X-Breakout
I2C sensor - VL53L0x, APDS9960, etc.
Library files
Sensor mounting pad

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Use the JST to jumper connector to connect to the sensor

Step 2: Add X-breakout board to Primus X board.

Step 4: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 5: We strongly recommend reading the datasheet before interfacing the sensor.

Step 6: Using the appropriate jumper wires make the required connections.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following tutorial.

PROVIDE LINK FOR CYGNUS DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 2: Using the API documentation, understand how I2C can be interfaced.

PROVIDE LINK FOR API DOCUMENTATION DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 3: Using the APIs read the desired data

Demo

VIDEO HERE

Which sensors can I interface?

There are many analog sensors available. The constraint while choosing a sensor is weight, power and voltage levels. The weight of the sensor depends on the configuration of drone.

Examples of I2C sensors:

EXAMPLES HERE

Adding SPI Sensor

x breakout

Adding SPI Sensor

This section explains how to add an I2C sensor.

What do I need?

Primus X
X-Breakout
SPI sensor
Library files.
Sensor mounting pad.

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Use the JST to jumper connector to connect to the sensor.

Step 2: Mount X Breakout board on Primus X board.

Step 4: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 5: We strongly recommend reading the datasheet before interfacing the sensor.

Step 6: Using the appropriate jumper wires make the required connections.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following tutorial

PROVIDE CYGNUS LINK DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 2: Using the API documentation, understand how SPI can be interfaced.

PROVIDE API DOCUMENTATION LINK HERE

Step 3: Using the APIs read the desired data.

Demo

PROVIDE VIDEO HERE

Which sensors can I interface?

There are many analog sensors available. The constraint while choosing a sensor is weight, power and voltage levels. The weight of the sensor depends on the configuration of the drone.

Example of analog sensors:

PROVIDE EXAMPLES HERE

Adding Servo

x breakout

Adding Servo - Tutorial

This section explains how to add a servo.

What do I need?

Primus X
X Breakout
Servo mounting part
Servo 1.7g - with 1.25mm JST connector

Getting the hardware ready

Step 1: Ensure that the pin configuration of the servo matches the pin configuration of PWM port on X-breakout board.

Step 2: Mount the X-breakout board on Primus X board.

Step 3: We recommend that you use hex spacer to ensure that the breakout does not come out during flight or crash. This step is optional.

Step 4: Connect the servo with the PWM on X-breakout board.

Step 5: Please note the pin of UniBus from which the servo input is to be given. In our case we are using PIN 2.

Getting the software ready

Step 1: Ensure that you have Cygnus IDE installed in your system. If not please follow the following link to download and install Cygnus IDE.

Step 2: Use the API Documentation to understand the APIs associated with PWM port. Check API Documentation here.

Step 3: Using the ‘init’ API, initialize PIN 2 of the UniBus to give the input to the servo.

Step 4: Using the ‘write’ API, set the PWM value for the servo.

Step 5: Build the program and flash it onto Primus X board.

Step 6: Turn the Developer’s Mode ON for the servo to run at the given PWM.

Demo

Coming soon.
Let us know if you have done this project and you want to put your video here.

Tutorial RC receiver

rc receiver

How to integrate RC Receiver?

In this tutorial we will explore how to integrate your nano PPM receiver (FS-RX2A) to your Pluto X / Pluto 1.2 drone.

Steps:

Procure the RC receiver and remote as mentioned above
Prepare your nano receiver by soldering the 3-pin connector (1.25mm). You may use the flight controller pinout for verification.
Connect the receiver to your Primus X / Primus 1.2 board (below the wifi chip) as shown below:
Next we will bind the receiver and Transmitter. You may follow this tutorial. Once the receiver has binded, You should see a solid LED on the nano-receiver.
Now lets prepare the Flight controller by upgrading the necessary firmware using Pluto controller app.
Now lets prepare the Remote controller. As shown here.
Channel 5: ARM
Channel 6: Headfree mode / Maghold mode
Channel 7: Alt hold / throttle
Channel 8: Developer mode on/off
You can also center the throttle sticks with springs for ease of flying.
Once all the above configuration is all done, switch on the drone and the RC.
If every thing is configured properly you should see Solid green led. If you see anything else on the LED, connect to the drone using app and make sure that all the different calibrations are done.
To ARM the drone, toggle the arm switch (channel 5) and hold the throttle low.
Start flying.

Add PPM Receiver

primus x

How to integrate RC Receiver?

In this tutorial we will explore how to integrate your nano PPM receiver (FS-RX2A) to your Pluto X / Pluto 1.2 drone.

Steps:

Procure the RC receiver and remote as mentioned above
Prepare your nano receiver by soldering the 3-pin connector (1.25mm). You may use the flight controller pinout for verification.
Connect the receiver to your Primus X / Primus 1.2 board (below the wifi chip) as shown below:
Next we will bind the receiver and Transmitter. You may follow this tutorial. Once the receiver has binded, You should see a solid LED on the nano-receiver.
Now lets prepare the Flight controller by upgrading the necessary firmware using Pluto controller app.
Now lets prepare the Remote controller. As shown here.
Channel 5: ARM
Channel 6: Headfree mode / Maghold mode
Channel 7: Alt hold / throttle
Channel 8: Developer mode on/off
You can also center the throttle sticks with springs for ease of flying.
Once all the above configuration is all done, switch on the drone and the RC.
If every thing is configured properly you should see Solid green led. If you see anything else on the LED, connect to the drone using app and make sure that all the different calibrations are done.
To ARM the drone, toggle the arm switch (channel 5) and hold the throttle low.
Start flying.

Adding Analog Sensor

x breakout

Adding Analog Sensor

Flash ESP8266 ESP12F

primus x

Steps to flash your ESP

What do you need?

Hardware

USB to UART converter
Multi Strand wires
Solder Iron
Multimeter
Patience

Software

Node MCU
Firmware

Steps:

Carefully solder wires on your Pluto’s esp as follows.:

TX
RX
ESP_RST
GPIO0
GND
STM_RST

Also solder the VBAT as shown in the figure below.
Ensure those pins are not shorted using a multimeter
Ensure that the Pluto’s switch is in the “ON” position. Not “Charging”.
Prepare your FTDI device

Ensure that its 3.3V mode
You need the following pins

TX pin
RX pin
5V pin
GND pin

Hook up the pins as follows:

Pluto TX pin -> FTDI RX pin
Pluto RX pin -> FTDI TX pin
Pluto STM_RST -> GND (This step ensures that the STM doesn't interfere with the communication)
Pluto GND -> FTDI GND
Pluto VBAT -> 5V (Supply for Pluto) Min voltage 3.5V.
Caution: Do not supply directly 3.3V from FTDI chip, it doesnt have enough source current for your pluto.
Pluto ESP_RST -> Floating
Pluto GPIO0 -> Floating

Load all the files as shown below
Configure the serial port as shown below
Set the ESP in Bootloader mode using the following sequence:

Hold the Pluto GPIO0 pin to GND
Then use the Pluto ESP_RST pin to GND to reset the ESP. Please ensure that the ESP GPIO0 pin is still attached to GND pin, during the reset
Release the GPIO0 pin
Release the ESP_RST pin

You ESP is now in Bootloader mode.

Once your hardware setup is ready you can flash firmware using Flash Download Tool as follows:

Download “Flash Download Tools (ESP8266 & ESP32)” from the Espressif Website.
Open “Flash DownLoad Tools” application and select ESP8266 Tools
You will be presented with SPIdownload screen where you have to load firmware file and configure SPI settings to flash.
Load the firmware in application in the following order:

Firmware File	Address
blank.bin	0xfe000
blank.bin	0x3fe000
blank.bin	0x3fb000
esp_init_data_default_v05.bin	0x3fc000
boot_v1.6.bin	0x00000
4096_user1.bin	0x01000

Configure the SPI settings to following:

CrystalFreq: 26 M

SPI SPEED : 40 MHz

SPI MODE: QIO

FLASH SIZE: 32Mbit-C1

Using Dataflash

x breakout

Data logger tutorial

Load the data logger enabled firmware using either of the options:

Flash the drone with firmware in which flash is enabled. You can get the firmware from create.dronaaviation.com
Build the native firmware using the tutorial. Make necessary changes to enable dataflash log. This is done using uncommenting “#define BLACKBOX” in
PRIMUSX/target.h file in the magis project.

Prepare the drone

Mount the X-basic breakout board on PrimusX unibus
Mount it using the provided plastic spacer for connection integrity.
Switch on the drone
Arm it and fly it.
The data will start logging once we “Arm” the drone

Download the data from dataflash using Cleanflight Pluto configurator

Download the cleanflight software from https://create.dronaaviation.com/assets/downloads/PlutoConfigurator/Pluto_Configurator.zip
We strongly recommend a windows 7 machine for the software
Install this chrome app to your browser.
Switch on the drone and connect to the wifi, using correct SSID and password
Using pluto configurator, connect to the drone.
If the X-break out is connected correctly and the correct firmware is installed, you will see the data flash details (check figure).
You can download the dataflash using the left side bar menu called “Blackbox”. You can save it as “logfile.TXT”
Once downloaded the file, we now have to decode it.

Decode the downloaded file

Download the blackbox_decode tool from
https://github.com/cleanflight/blackbox-tools/releases/tag/v0.4.3
Once extracted, use the command prompt to run blackbox_decode.exe “logfile.TXT”
This will decode all the data and convert it to csv file.
You can now view the CSV file using excel.