geebles multiflite.co.uk Thread OP

New Product multiFlite ZMR 250 PDB FC (F3) Plate (built in FC!) [Prototyping]



I have been working on a ZMR250 compatible PDB bottom plate that also integrates an STM32 F3 CleanFlight compatible FC on board! No more messy mounting and wires traversing the entire board!!



This board is designed with FPV in mind, and would suit racing, while also being incredibly flexible for any existing and future cleanflight features, while still being simple! Check out the image below (of the prototype I am building up) and the feature list below!



Current stage: Prototyping and community feedback.

Demos and in use pictures soon

Note that the actual product will have all component populated (I'm just too excited at the moment to not share what I have so far!). The only soldering required is for the ESCs and battery connector.







The main features that I bring are:



Next Gen CPU

ARM Cortex-M4 72Mhz CPU with Math co-processor (FPU) for efficient flight calculations that gets more done in less time.

Loop times up to ~2x as fast as previous-generation STM32F1 based boards.



Beginner and PRO Friendly

Configure as much or as little as you like; just attached ESCs and an RX and you are away, or add GPS, OSD, VTX, Camera, Telemetry, it's up to you. Whichever you choose, everything is documented.



Integrated 100A Current Sensor and PDB

With a built in current and voltage sensor, battery used capacity is available to CleanFlight (and therefore OSDs). RSSI pin also available!

With + and - pads next to each arm, and a signal pin (all on both sides of the board) connecting ESCs up is easy and clean.



Micro MINIMOSD Through Hole Pins

An OSD can be integrated easily, and still allow for it to be flashed/programmed while soldered (other boards are a pain as once soldered in it is nearly impossibly to re-flash the OSD without first unsoldering it).

Pick any Serial port to provide OSD data.



Built in 3.3V, 5V, and 12V Regulators!

No more quirky no-name branded regulators, all voltages are available!

3.3V - 200mA

5V - 3A

12V - 3A

Battery voltage - 3A via inbuilt LC filter



Designed for FPV

Cam input at the front of the board, and VTX output at the back! This was made with FPV in mind! With easy to add Micro MINIMOSD pads.

Cam can be powered by 12v or 5v (solder jumper)

VTX can be powered by 12v or 5v (solder jumper)



Dedicated Spektrum Satellite Port and ALL RX's Supported

No weird adapters required, an included cable will get you connected instantly with a spektrum satellite (at the rear of the board of course!).

PPM Receivers are also supported (with FANTASIC support for FrSKY Receivers like the D4R-II, with FrSKY telemetry, rssi, all available on a single 8pin header).

Every serial port can be inverted, so S.Bus is supported.



Acc/Gyro in the EXACT Center of PDB

It is said that the location of the acc/gyro isn't too important, but surely it can't hurt to have it precisely in the middle!

In theory this should mean that the flight controller will understand precisely the orientation of the aircraft (possibly more precise YAW (I need to do some tests/investigations))



ALL Pins Broken Out

With 1.25mm connectors all round (and all cables included, with common functionality harnesses included) connecting everything up is easy, and flexible! Documentation and videos will be available showing the main configurations and how to set up (e.g. Spek Satellite (and binding), FrSKY (with telemetry and RSSI), and an 8x Channel PWM RX)



Single Side Populated

This might seem basic, but everything is laid out on one side of the PCB.. this means that you can mount it upside down so that all the chips are inside the 'sandwich' of the boards, meaning the middle deck has NOTHING on it! You could put the battery bang in the center of the frame, lower the top deck height, and have a far more streamlined aircraft with near perfect CG! Previously there was an FC and a mess of wires; no more is that the only option!



Individually Addressable LEDs at the Back

There are two WS2812B LEDs at the back, which can be configured easily to show low battery, turn signals, brake lights, as well as being extended to other places on the FC (e.g. at the tip of each arm) with ease.

There are also 2x fixed BLUE (colour TBD) LEDs at the front to help with orientation.



Compatible with all ZMR250 sized top/bottom plates and arms

This product will be the PDB FC + all cables needed (+ buzzer), I will optionally have available the arms, top/bottom plates, standoffs, cameras, VTX's, OSDs, etc if you don't already have an existing frame you would like to upgrade. Treat it like a PDB plate, but that you don't need to get an FC, regulators, etc as all these are built in.

All the common holes to support CAM plates, and top decks are in the same place.



More Features than ever!

64Mb onboard flash for BLACKBOX data recording

Acc/Gyro

Barometer

Magnetometer (optional)

Micro USB Port (that is edge mounted and recessed to prevent breakage)

Reverse polarity protection (we've all been there and wished boards had this as standard)

Built in 12V or 5V buzzer

100A current sensor

3S to 5S battery support (designed around a 4S for racing)

Sonar support

M5-8 pads available (can be used for servos)

Light weight

Strong PCB



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Whew that was a lot of features! Hopefully you can see that while there are a lot of features, they are clear in what they do and are not all required in order to fly, but they are there for you when you are ready to use them!



If anyone has any feedback so far I would really appreciate it, I am at the stage where I can still change and add/remove anything that is/not needed! When I have something built and show some demo videos I think you will see how much this will change the 250 sized experience for the better!



Price and weight are TBD, but it will cost LESS than buying a PDB and a cleanflight compatible FC separately (that can support all these features).



Anyone interested? Hi guys,I have been working on a ZMR250 compatible PDB bottom plate that also integrates an STM32 F3 CleanFlight compatible FC on board! No more messy mounting and wires traversing the entire board!!This board is designed with FPV in mind, and would suit racing, while also being incredibly flexible for any existing and future cleanflight features, while still being simple! Check out the image below (of the prototype I am building up) and the feature list below!The main features that I bring are:ARM Cortex-M4 72Mhz CPU with Math co-processor (FPU) for efficient flight calculations that gets more done in less time.Loop times up to ~2x as fast as previous-generation STM32F1 based boards.Configure as much or as little as you like; just attached ESCs and an RX and you are away, or add GPS, OSD, VTX, Camera, Telemetry, it's up to you. Whichever you choose, everything is documented.With a built in current and voltage sensor, battery used capacity is available to CleanFlight (and therefore OSDs). RSSI pin also available!With + and - pads next to each arm, and a signal pin (all on both sides of the board) connecting ESCs up is easy and clean.An OSD can be integrated easily, and still allow for it to be flashed/programmed while soldered (other boards are a pain as once soldered in it is nearly impossibly to re-flash the OSD without first unsoldering it).Pick any Serial port to provide OSD data.No more quirky no-name branded regulators, all voltages are available!3.3V - 200mA5V - 3A12V - 3ABattery voltage - 3A via inbuilt LC filterCam input at the front of the board, and VTX output at the back! This was made with FPV in mind! With easy to add Micro MINIMOSD pads.Cam can be powered by 12v or 5v (solder jumper)VTX can be powered by 12v or 5v (solder jumper)No weird adapters required, an included cable will get you connected instantly with a spektrum satellite (at the rear of the board of course!).PPM Receivers are also supported (with FANTASIC support for FrSKY Receivers like the D4R-II, with FrSKY telemetry, rssi, all available on a single 8pin header).Every serial port can be inverted, so S.Bus is supported.It is said that the location of the acc/gyro isn't too important, but surely it can't hurt to have it precisely in the middle!In theory this should mean that the flight controller will understand precisely the orientation of the aircraft (possibly more precise YAW (I need to do some tests/investigations))With 1.25mm connectors all round (and all cables included, with common functionality harnesses included) connecting everything up is easy, and flexible! Documentation and videos will be available showing the main configurations and how to set up (e.g. Spek Satellite (and binding), FrSKY (with telemetry and RSSI), and an 8x Channel PWM RX)This might seem basic, but everything is laid out on one side of the PCB.. this means that you can mount it upside down so that all the chips are inside the 'sandwich' of the boards, meaning the middle deck has NOTHING on it! You could put the battery bang in the center of the frame, lower the top deck height, and have a far more streamlined aircraft with near perfect CG! Previously there was an FC and a mess of wires; no more is that the only option!There are two WS2812B LEDs at the back, which can be configured easily to show low battery, turn signals, brake lights, as well as being extended to other places on the FC (e.g. at the tip of each arm) with ease.There are also 2x fixed BLUE (colour TBD) LEDs at the front to help with orientation.This product will be the PDB FC + all cables needed (+ buzzer), I will optionally have available the arms, top/bottom plates, standoffs, cameras, VTX's, OSDs, etc if you don't already have an existing frame you would like to upgrade. Treat it like a PDB plate, but that you don't need to get an FC, regulators, etc as all these are built in.All the common holes to support CAM plates, and top decks are in the same place.64Mb onboard flash for BLACKBOX data recordingAcc/GyroBarometerMagnetometer (optional)Micro USB Port (that is edge mounted and recessed to prevent breakage)Reverse polarity protection (we've all been there and wished boards had this as standard)Built in 12V or 5V buzzer100A current sensor3S to 5S battery support (designed around a 4S for racing)Sonar supportM5-8 pads available (can be used for servos)Light weightStrong PCB-------------------------------------------------------------------------Whew that was a lot of features! Hopefully you can see that while there are a lot of features, they are clear in what they do and are not all required in order to fly, but they are there for you when you are ready to use them!If anyone has any feedback so far I would really appreciate it, I am at the stage where I can still change and add/remove anything that is/not needed! When I have something built and show some demo videos I think you will see how much this will change the 250 sized experience for the better!Price and weight are TBD, but it will cost LESS than buying a PDB and a cleanflight compatible FC separately (that can support all these features).Anyone interested?