PX4 User Guide (v1.13)

# Hex Cube Black Flight Controller

WARNING

PX4 does not manufacture this (or any) autopilot. Contact the manufacturer (opens new window) for hardware support or compliance issues.

TIP

The Cube Orange is the successor to this product. We recommend however to consider products built on industry standards, such as the Pixhawk Standards. This flight controller is not following the standard and uses a patented connector.

The Hex Cube Black (opens new window) flight controller (previously known as Pixhawk 2.1) is a flexible autopilot intended primarily for manufacturers of commercial systems. It is based on the Pixhawk-project (opens new window) FMUv3 open hardware design and runs PX4 on the NuttX (opens new window) OS.

Cube Black

The controller is designed to be used with a domain-specific carrier board in order to reduce the wiring, improve reliability, and ease of assembly. For example, a carrier board for a commercial inspection vehicle might include connections for a companion computer, while a carrier board for a racer could includes ESCs form the frame of the vehicle.

Cube includes vibration isolation on two of the IMU's, with a third fixed IMU as a reference / Backup.

Note

The manufacturer Cube Docs (opens new window) contain detailed information, including an overview of the Differences between Cube Colours (opens new window).

TIP

This autopilot is supported by the PX4 maintenance and test teams.

# Key Features

  • 32bit STM32F427 Cortex-M4F (opens new window)® core with FPU
  • 168 MHz / 252 MIPS
  • 256 KB RAM
  • 2 MB Flash (fully accessible)
  • 32 bit STM32F103 failsafe co-processor
  • 14 PWM / Servo outputs (8 with failsafe and manual override, 6 auxiliary, high-power compatible)
  • Abundant connectivity options for additional peripherals (UART, I2C, CAN)
  • Integrated backup system for in-flight recovery and manual override with dedicated processor and stand-alone power supply (fixed-wing use)
  • Backup system integrates mixing, providing consistent autopilot and manual override mixing modes (fixed wing use)
  • Redundant power supply inputs and automatic failover
  • External safety switch
  • Multicolor LED main visual indicator
  • High-power, multi-tone piezo audio indicator
  • microSD card for high-rate logging over extended periods of time

# Where to Buy

Cube Black (opens new window) (ProfiCNC)

# Assembly

Cube Wiring Quickstart

# Specifications

# Processor

  • 32bit STM32F427 Cortex M4 (opens new window) core with FPU
  • 168 MHz / 252 MIPS
  • 256 KB RAM
  • 2 MB Flash (fully accessible)
  • 32 bit STM32F103 failsafe co-processor

# Sensors

  • TBA

# Interfaces

  • 5x UART (serial ports), one high-power capable, 2x with HW flow control
  • 2x CAN (one with internal 3.3V transceiver, one on expansion connector)
  • Spektrum DSM / DSM2 / DSM-X® Satellite compatible input
  • Futaba S.BUS® compatible input and output
  • PPM sum signal input
  • RSSI (PWM or voltage) input
  • I2C
  • SPI
  • 3.3v ADC input
  • Internal microUSB port and external microUSB port extension

# Power System and Protection

  • Ideal diode controller with automatic failover
  • Servo rail high-power (max. 10V) and high-current (10A+) ready
  • All peripheral outputs over-current protected, all inputs ESD protected

# Voltage Ratings

Pixhawk can be triple-redundant on the power supply if three power sources are supplied. The three rails are: Power module input, servo rail input, USB input.

# Normal Operation Maximum Ratings

Under these conditions all power sources will be used in this order to power the system

  • Power module input (4.8V to 5.4V)
  • Servo rail input (4.8V to 5.4V) UP TO 10V FOR MANUAL OVERRIDE, BUT AUTOPILOT PART WILL BE UNPOWERED ABOVE 5.7V IF POWER MODULE INPUT IS NOT PRESENT
  • USB power input (4.8V to 5.4V)

# Absolute Maximum Ratings

Under these conditions the system will not draw any power (will not be operational), but will remain intact.

  • Power module input (4.1V to 5.7V, 0V to 20V undamaged)
  • Servo rail input (4.1V to 5.7V, 0V to 20V)
  • USB power input (4.1V to 5.7V, 0V to 6V)

# Pinouts and Schematics

Board schematics and other documentation can be found here: The Cube Project (opens new window).

# Ports

# Top-Side (GPS, TELEM etc)

Cube Ports - Top (GPS, TELEM etc) and Main/AUX

# Serial Port Mapping

UART Device Port
USART1 /dev/ttyS0
USART2 /dev/ttyS1 TELEM1 (flow control)
USART3 /dev/ttyS2 TELEM2 (flow control)
UART4 /dev/ttyS3 GPS1
USART6 /dev/ttyS4 PX4IO
UART7 /dev/ttyS5 CONSOLE
UART8 /dev/ttyS6

# Debug Ports

Cube Debug Ports

# USB/SDCard Ports

Cube USB/SDCard Ports

# Building Firmware

TIP

Most users will not need to build this firmware! It is pre-built and automatically installed by QGroundControl when appropriate hardware is connected.

To build PX4 for this target:

make px4_fmu-v3_default

# Issues

CAN1 and CAN2 silk screen on the Cube Black are flipped (CAN1 is CAN2 and vice versa).

# Further Information/Documentation

← mRo Pixhawk (FMUv3) →