Quick Start
This section covers how to power the controller and connect its main peripherals. Exact pin numbers for every connector are in the Pinout section.
What goes where
| Connector | What to connect |
|---|---|
| POWER A | Analog power module. Measures voltage and current through the ADC. Do not connect a digital module here. |
| POWER C | DroneCAN power module. This is the default option. |
| GPS & SAFETY | GPS module. The connector combines GPS, I2C1, safety switch and buzzer. |
| SERIAL4 (UART4 / I2C2) | Second GPS or other UART/I2C peripherals. |
| TELEM1 / TELEM2 / TELEM3 | Telemetry radios. |
| CAN1 / CAN2 | DroneCAN devices: GPS, power modules, servos. |
| I2C1 – I2C4 | External compass, airspeed sensor, rangefinder. |
| RC IN | RC receiver. Also SERIAL5 (UART8). |
| M1 – M14 | Motors and servos. |
| USB-C | Connection to a computer for setup and firmware loading. |
| DEBUG & UART7 | System console and SWD. Not needed in normal use. |
| ADC / RSSI | Analog inputs and receiver signal strength. |
| microSD | Log storage card. Fitted at the factory. |
1. Board orientation
Mount the controller with its arrow pointing forward, along the direction of flight.
Sensor rotation is handled in firmware, so AHRS_ORIENTATION does not need changing.
AHRS_ORIENTATION parameter.2. Power
Connect the power module to POWER C if it is DroneCAN, or to POWER A if it is analog. The board can also run from USB, which is enough for bench setup but not for flight.
3. GPS and compass
The recommended option is a DroneCAN GPS on CAN1 or CAN2. A conventional GPS connects to GPS & SAFETY, which already carries the compass lines (I2C1), the safety switch and the buzzer.
Mount the GPS on a mast, away from power cables, with its arrow pointing the same way as the controller's arrow.
4. Safety switch and buzzer
Both are part of the GPS & SAFETY connector. If your GPS module has a built-in switch and buzzer, no separate parts are needed.
When flying without GPS, the switch still connects to the same port — the vehicle will not arm without it.
5. Radio control
The receiver connects to the RC IN contact on the servo rail. All unidirectional ArduPilot protocols are supported: SBUS, CPPM, DSM.
CRSF, ELRS, FPort and SRXL2 require a UART. See the Configuration section for the settings.
6. Telemetry
Connect the air-side radio to TELEM1 or TELEM2 — these support hardware flow control. TELEM3 suits additional devices.
7. Memory card
The microSD card for logs is fitted at the factory; nothing needs to be done.
8. Motors and servos
Connect ESCs and servos to outputs M1 – M14 in the order ArduPilot defines for your vehicle type.