Electrical Interfaces

I/O and Electrical Panel

USB-C

Configured as ethernet adapter.

Functionality:

• connection to payload

• mass storage (e.g. flash drive)

• firmware updates

It is not possible to power Astro via this port. For example, to update firmware or download logs, power Astro with a battery.

Payload

Connector type: JST-ZPD 26-pin

This connector can be accessed directly or to pass connections to the Smart Dovetail connector.

The mating connector to build a payload cable is ZPDR-26V-S.

TELEM3

Connector: JST GH 6-pin

AUX UART

Connector: JST GH 6-pin

PWM

Connector: headers, 0.1 inch spacing

PWM outputs are active when the aircraft is powered on.

Setup

In AMC, select the output pins by navigating to Menu > Vehicle Setup > Parameters. Possible outputs are:

IO board label	Parameter name
1	RC_MAP_AUX1
2	RC_MAP_AUX2
3	RC_MAP_AUX3
4	RC_MAP_FLAPS

For each output, select an input source channel (i.e. Herelink hardware button you will push to trigger a change in PWM).

Herelink	Channel
Wheel	5
Button D	10

PWM output values (e.g. 1100 us) are controlled by these parameters (read more in the PX4 Parameter Reference).

Parameter	Function
PWM_AUX_DIS1	PWM output when autopilot is not armed. When set to -1 the value for PWM_AUX_DISARMED will be used. a similar parameter is availabel for each channel
PWM_AUX_MIN1	Minimum PWM pulse for this output. When set to -1 the value for PWM_AUX_MIN will be used.
PWM_AUX_MAX1	Maximum PWM pulse for this output. When set to -1 the value for PWM_AUX_MAX will be used.
PWM_AUX_REV1	Invert direction.
PWM_AUX_FAIL1	PWM output if autopilot is in failsafe mode. When set to -1 the value is set automatically depending if the actuator is a motor (900us) or a servo (1500us)

CAN

Connector: JST GH 4-pin

Console pinout

Console is a special serial (UART) port that is useful for troubleshooting applications running on the IMX8 processor inside Astro.

Connector: JST GH 6-pin

Ethernet

Connector: JST GH 6-pin

Bind Button

Not active or user configurable. This button is included for future expansion.

Battery V

Connector: XT-30

• Battery Voltage: 18 - 25.2 VDC

• Continuous current: 5.5 A (overcurrent protection set at 6 A)

The XT-30 connector is direct access to the raw battery output, with overcurrent protection cutoff at roughly 5 Amps from the entire IO board. If you have no gimbal attached, you can pull all 5A from the XT-30, but if you have approximately 1A from a gimbal, you'd only be able to use 4A.

In order for the XT30 to behave as expected, the Herelink needs to be powered on and in communication with Astro.