Flight controller microprocessors for future hardware versions

PX4 Autopilot
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Hi, Enio here, long time PX4 user, first time publishing

I am discussing the development of a custom FC hardware, and the following questions appeard:

  1. What are the best MCUs for the PX4 autopilot? Is it still STM32H753 from V6x?

  2. Is anyone working in a next step or newer HW version?

  3. Can I just run PX4 on another overkill solution, like iMX.8 processor?

If anyone has some tips about where to find some of the answers, or want to contribute in anyway, it would be most welcome! :wink:

Thanks and good flights!

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  1. I think the H7 is suitable. There is plenty of CPU available, the only thing that is scarce is the 2MB flash, however, if you’re building a custom solution, you can tweak it to only include what you need into the build.
  2. Have a look at the v6xRT: Holybro Pixhawk 6X-RT | PX4 Guide (main)
  3. You could, but you create more headache than benefit. Usually the approach is to do high CPU (or GPU) tasks like vision on a companion computer, think Nvidia Jetson or Raspberry Pi, etc.

Edit: and hi Enio :wave:

3

Hey JulianOes!

Holybro’s 6X-RT is a very nice stepup! Adding encryption and ETH port is the direction I was looking – Does the PX4 firmware runs on some linux OS directly or does it keep using NuttX OS?

I am thinking about the size of the headache to migrate a little further, say i.MX8 or newer iMX9 from NXP – it may be a headache once, but probably could make a stardard processor for many years to come (iMX9 EOL is expected 2035) and allow overpower new FW features to run smoothly

For example, multiple stances of EKF was an important feature that split the hardware versions into those that could or couldn’t run it, and that wouldn’t happen if using available hardware that is not kind of “minimal requirement”

Thanks for the info, it helped a lot :grin:

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It’s still NuttX for 6xRT

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