Payload Mounting Interfaces

Smart Dovetail

Smart Dovetail is a payload quick release with mechanical connection and electrical connections for power and data. It's an open standard that implements the Pixhawk Payload Bus.

CAD

This model contains the entire smart dovetail assembly. You are welcome an encouraged to use this model to Integrate Smart Dovetail into your payload! This also serves as the reference design for the Pixhawk Payload Bus Quick Release.

21MB

Assembly Smart Dovetail Quick Release 3-24-2022.STEP

Revision	Description	Date
Alpha	Initial design release	11/12/2021
Beta	Complete model released	3/24/2022
Production	Available in store	6/17/2022

Pinout

Plate KEL

Smart Dovetail Plate uses KEL DY11-040L to connect with the Aircraft side. Integrate this connector into your payload (e.g. for mass production).

Pinout is defined in the Pixhawk Payload Bus standard doc. See page 5 for pinout table and pin identification diagram.

Plate ZPD

Smart Dovetail Plate offers a ZPDR-26V-S JST connector for payloads. The pinout nominally matches the Astro Payload Connector.

VBAT is on the IO Panel bus, which includes the XT30, and is protected at 5 A.

Max current per pin is 2 A.

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

What's in the Box

The Astro Smart Dovetail Kit, which includes both the vehicle and payload side of the dovetail, can be found in the store.

• Smart Dovetail Receiver (vehicle side)

• Smart Dovetail Plate (payload side)

• Fasteners, SHCS M3 x 8, qty 4

• Payload connectors, ZPDR-26V-S, qty 2

• Payload Ribbon Cables, 13 conductor, 28 AWG, qty 4

The Universal Dovetail Kit, which includes only the payload side of the dovetail, is also available in the store.

• Smart Dovetail Plate (payload side)

• Payload connectors, ZPDR-26V-S, qty 1

• Payload Ribbon Cables, 13 conductor, 28 AWG, qty 2

Limitations

No hotswap protection. Do not mate or demate Smart Dovetail while the aircraft is powered.

If the payload has even modest capacitance or other inrush current the connector contacts on both aircraft and payload side will be eroded.

Not all ZPD pins are implemented. Power, ethernet, serial, and usb are present. Please let us know if unimplemented pins are blocking you: [e-mail].

Hard-mounting to Astro chassis requires standoffs (M3 male-female, 8mm length included in the kit). The requirement is due to interference between the cable bundle and Herelink Air Unit.

Astro Vibration Isolator

The Astro Vibration Isolator is designed to be adaptable. By default, it comes preconfigured to work best with the Astro Mapping Payload, and it ships with 4 x 30A durometer isolators. Our engineering team decided this is the best configuration based on real-world testing.

Isolator plates allow up to 8 isolators. Different durometers to the Astro store, which include 30A, 40A, and 50A options.

Here is a ulog of a typical flight with a 1.5kg payload as an example of aircraft vibration.