ARK Pi6X Flight Controller Carrier Board with Raspberry Pi CM4 and ARKV6X (STM32H743) for UAV Applications

ARK Electronics has introduced the ARK Pi6X Flight Controller Carrier Board for UAVs and robotics. It integrates the ARKV6X flight controller, a PAB power module, and a 4-in-1 ESC on a single board, running PX4 Autopilot firmware. Designed for compatibility with the Raspberry Pi CM4, it supports ARK flow optical flow sensors to simplify subsystem integration and reduce component complexity. The ARK Pi6X is an NDAA-compliant solution with extensive I/O options, making it suitable for UAV applications, especially in GPS-denied environments. It supports open-source firmware like PX4, enabling autonomous navigation, flight stabilization, and advanced indoor operations.

The carrier board features MicroSD storage, Micro HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C host, and dual USB JST GH ports, allowing for efficient data management and seamless peripheral integration. Its compact and modular design enhances connectivity and adaptability for various UAV applications.

ARK Pi6X Specifications:

• Processor: Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (1.5GHz)
• Flight Controller: ARKV6X with STM32H743IIK6 MCU (480MHz, 2MB Flash, 1MB RAM)
• Firmware Support: PX4 Autopilot
• Storage: MicroSD slot (for CM4 Lite)
• Display and Connectivity:
  • Micro HDMI
  • Gigabit Ethernet PHY with IEEE 1588 support
  • PCIe Gen 2 (1-lane, 5Gbps)
  • USB-C Host
  • 2x USB JST GH
  • 2x MIPI CSI (22-pin FFC)
• Expansion and Interfaces:
  • Programming micro USB
  • I2C, UART
  • 28x GPIO
  • Console
  • CPU Fan
  • LED Strip GPIO
• Autopilot and Control:
  • TELEM (UART)
  • RC Input (UART)
  • 8x PWM outputs
  • GPS (UART, I2C)
  • CAN bus
  • Buzzer
  • Debug (SWD, UART Console)
• Sensors:
  • 2x ICM-42688-P 6-axis MEMS accelerometer/gyroscope
  • AFBR-S50LV85D 30-meter distance sensor
  • ST IIS2MDC 3-axis magnetometer
  • BMP390 24-bit barometer
  • INA226 voltage/current monitor
  • Integrated heater
• Power: 6s/25.2V max battery input
• Weight:
  • 41g (without Pi CM4, Pi SD, and ESC)
  • 53g (with Pi CM4 and Pi SD, without ESC)

The ARK Pi6X Flight Controller Carrier Board is designed for UAV applications, featuring two MIPI CSI interfaces for camera input, a dedicated programming Micro USB port, and multiple connectivity options, including I2C, UART, and GPIOs. It integrates the ARKV6X Flight Controller, built on the FMUV6X and Pixhawk Autopilot Bus open-source specifications, with triple synchronized IIM-42653 IMUs and PX4 Autopilot firmware support.

The board includes advanced sensors such as dual ICM-42688-P accelerometers/gyroscopes, a PAW3902 optical flow sensor, and a BMP390 barometer for precise data acquisition. Power management is handled by the ARK PAB Power Module, a 4-in-1 ESC, and an INA226 voltage/current monitor, ensuring stable operation and real-time flight telemetry. An onboard heater enhances sensor stability for improved performance in varying conditions.

ARK-OS provides software support, including MAVLink routing, video streaming, flight log uploads, firmware updates, and network RTK corrections. The ARK Pi6X is available in a bundle with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4104000) and a 128GB SanDisk MicroSDXC with ARK UI pre-installed for $745.00, while the standalone version without the CM4 and MicroSD card costs $660.00. More details can be found on the ARK Electronics product page and the documentation page.

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