Gumstix announced a version of its Aerocore 2 drone control board that runs Linux on Nvidia’s Jetson TX2. The Geppetto customizable board provides a Cortex-M4 running PX4, and offers USB 3.0, micro-HDMI, and support for LTE, GPS, and 4x HD cameras.



The Aerocore 2 drone control board arrived in 2014 and was followed in 2016 by a more advanced version that swapped out the original’s Gumstix Overo module for a DragonBoard 410C SBC. This DragonBoard version was updated earlier this year. In 2017, Gumstix announced a Intel Joule based version that fizzled when Intel discontinued the Joule. Now, Gumstix is back with a $275 “Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson” board that works with Nvidia’s Jetson TX1 and Jetson TX2 modules and can be customized in Gumstix’s Geppetto online design service.







Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson, front and back

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Jetson TX2

The Linux-supported Jetson TX2 module has recently appeared in devices including Axiomtek’s eBOX560-900-FL box computer and Deepwave Digital’s SDR-focused AIR-T Mini-ITX board. Nvidia also released a more rugged Jetson TX2i model that adds vibration resistance as well as support for -40 to 85°C temperatures and 10-year lifecycles. Gumstix informs us that the Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson is currently being tested for the TX2i, and that it should work fine with this pin-compatible module.

The Jetson TX2 is equipped with dual high-end “Denver 2” Arm cores and 4x Arm Cortex-A57 cores. The 256-core Pascal GPU with CUDA libraries for running AI and machine learning algorithms offer the potential for improved image recognition applications in drones and robotics. The Aerocore 2 is best suited for small drones called micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs), but it can also be used for larger drones, robots, and other image processing applications.

The Jetson TX2 module provides the Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson with 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 32GB of eMMC 5.1, and 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth. The Aerocore 2 carrier board adds an ST Microelectronics STM32F427 Cortex-M4 chip clocked at 168MHz. This MCU is pre-loaded with the open source NuttX RTOS and APM-based PX4 firmware for real-time drone autopilot operation. It should also work with PX4-compatible projects such as QGroundControl and MAVLink.

Since the Jetson boards are modules rather than an SBC like the quad-core Snapdragon 410 based DragonBoard 410, the Aerocore 2 carrier board has added more ports and other features to compensate. The board ships with a microSD slot, as well as micro-HDMI, USB 3.0 host, micro-USB OTG, and micro-USB device ports.







Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson detail view

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There are two separate 4-lane MIPI-CSI-2 interfaces that support Gumstix’s $30 Caspa 4K cameras, which are built on Sony’s 13-megapixel IMX214 AF Camera sensor and support 4208 x 3120-pixel stills and 4K video at 30fps. In addition, you get a pair of 2-lane CSI-2 connectors for 5-megapixel cameras with 2592 x 1944 resolution. The Aerocore 2 board is capable of driving 4x cameras with HD or higher resolution simultaneously.

The Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson is further equipped with a serial connector for adding a Gumstix Pre-GO GPS module. There’s also an LTE modem socket for an optional Sierra Wireless 4G module, as well as a SIM card slot and dual U.FL antenna connectors.







Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson and its module connections diagram

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A CAN port supports robotics control, and you get a 3-axis gyroscope, 6-axis accelerometer, and barometer. Other features include a buzzer, a DSM-2 remote connector, and a 40-pin GPIO interface.

Additional I/O pins include 3x UART, 2x I2C, an octal PWM header, and SPI and ADC interfaces. A bit of SPI flash and EEPROM memory is also onboard. For power, there’s a 6-36V battery connector, or you can use the micro-USB device port.

Like other Aerocore boards and most other Gumstix boards, the Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson can be customized with the Gumstix Geppetto D2O online development platform. The Geppetto drag-and-drop GUI interface lets developers add network connections or I/O, as well as create multiple projects and compare alternative designs for features and costs.







Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson customization in Geppetto D2O service

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Geppetto supplies free automated documentation on demand with all saved designs. The service lets you develop custom BSPs and go straight from a design to an order in one session, with 15-day manufacturing turnaround.



Further information

The Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson is available for $275. More information may be found in Gumstix’s announcement (PDF) and its Aerocore 2 for Nvidia Jetson shopping and product page.