The Cube Orange+ - Open Source flight controller with its ADSB-In carrier board

Update: The Cube Orange+ runs ArduPilot and PX4 firmwares.

The Cube Orange+ is brand new 2020 version of the most famous and successful open source flight controller around the world. It is an enhanced version of the Cube Black (Pixhawk 2.1). The Cube Orange benefits from numerous improvements which ensure its position of the current most advanced electronics available for remotely controlled vehicles.

More than a simple flight controller, the Cube Orange+ is a solution suitable for countless unmanned systems including multirotor drones, planes, helicopters, VTOL aircrafts, boats, cars, uboats, etc.

THE CUBE ORANGE+ and its CARRIER BOARD WITH ADS-B (RX)

Comparing to the Cube Black (Pixhawk 2.1), the Cube Orange has a brand new H7 processor. This makes the Cube Orange even more powerful than the Black version.

In addition to that, it is now possible to choose the voltage provided on PWM outputs (3.3V or 5V) by changing a simple parameter.

Obviously, the Cube Orange remains a cutting-edge controller having countless features like a high performance IMU. The Cube Orange has a triple redundant IMU, a heating module and vibration isolation. This makes it perfectly suitable for cold temperatures operations.

Following a partnership between Cube manufacturer and uAvionix, a new carrier board has been developped.

Indeed, a 1090MHz ADS-B receiver from uAvionix (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast) has been integrated to the new carrier board. Thanks to this, the Cube Orange receives location information from nearby aircraft (airplanes, gliders, helicopters, etc.). All these details can be seen in Mission Planner and includes position, altitude, speed, id, etc.

By setting a few parameters, this ADSB In feature allows to use automatic avoidance of detected aircraft by the drone. ArduPilot firmwares include this groundbreaking functionnality.

Main features

• New: H7 processor
• New: ADS-B receiver
• Tempered and isolated IMU
• Triple redundant IMU
• Multiple GPS receivers (GNSS)
• Open source developping environment
• Suitable for many platforms (multirotors drones, fixed wings, VTOL, helicopters, etc.)

• Processor: STM32H757VIT6 (32 Bit ARM® Cortex®-M7, 400 MHz, 2 MB flash, 1 MB RAM)
• Sensors:
  • 3x Accelerometers: ICM20948 / ICM20649 / ICM20602
  • 3x Gyroscopes: ICM20948 / ICM20649 / ICM20602
  • 1x Compass: ICM20948
  • 2x Barometers: MS5611 (2x)
• Main power supply: 4.1 - 5.7 V / 2,5 A
• USB power supply: 4.0 - 5.7 V / 250 mA
• Accepted power on servo rail: 3.3 V / 5V
• Operating temperature: -10°C to +55°C
• ADS-B receiver: 1090 MHz
• Size (Cube Orange): 38.25 x 38.25 x 22.3 mm
• Housing material (Cube Orange): CNC aluminium alloy
• Size (ADS-B carrier board): 94.5 x 44.3 x 17.3 mm
• Housing material (ADS-B carrier board): ABS molding
• Total weight: 75 gr
• Carrier board connections:
  • 2x USB
  • 5x UART (serial ports)
  • 2x CAN-Bus
  • 1x I2C
  • 1x ADC
  • 1x SPKT (dedicated Spektrum RX)
  • 2x Power (ports)
  • 1x S.BUS® input (input PPM)
  • 1x S.BUS® output
  • 8x PWM ouputs
  • 6x GPIO that can be used as PWM

• 1x Cube Orange+ ("Plus" version)
• 1x ADS-B Carrier board
• 1x Power brick mini
• 1x Cable set for the Cube
• 1x micro-SD card integrated in the Cube

• The Cube documentation
• Forum

• It is possible to connect Pixhawk 1 modules (like GPS) to the Cube (Pixhawk 2.1)
• The Cube can not be delivered to Ukraine and Iran

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