SkyHub on-board computer hardware
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SkyHub 3 is a hardware and software set from SPH Engineering. It enhances the capabilities of commercial off-the-shelf drones for industrial purposes and supports the integration of diverse sensors. HobiTech supplies it in India as an Official Partner of SPH Engineering.
General
| Compatible drones | DJI M210 / M210 V2; DJI M600 / M600 Pro; DJI M300 RTK; custom frames based on DJI A3 flight controller; Pixhawk with ArduCopter / PX4 |
| Temperature range | −25°C to +50°C |
| Power input | 12 V to 60 V, SkyHub itself works from 9+ V |
| Power output | Selectable 9 V / 12 V / 15 V / 18 V, up to 5 A |
Computational core
| System-on-Module | Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 |
| CPU | Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit |
| CPU frequency | Up to 1.5 GHz |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Flash, eMMC | 32 GB |
| OS | Ubuntu Server 21.04 |
Interfaces
| UART | Up to 4 |
| RS-232 | Up to 2 |
| GPIO | Up to 4 |
| USB | Up to 2 (USB 2.0) |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with BLE support |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbit |
Mechanical
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 112 × 84 × 34 mm |
| Weight | 195 g |
| Weight with mountings | 215 g for DJI M300; 220 g for DJI M600 |
Connectors
| Power input connector | Mating connector Amass XT30U-F; 12 V to 60 V; protected against reverse polarity; two ports (one powers SkyHub, the other enables drone power pass-through to external payloads) |
| Power output connector | Mating connector Amass XT30U-M; voltage nominal ±1%; up to 5 A |
| Power output selector | C&K RTE16 switch; 9 V, 12 V, 15 V or 18 V |
| UART / RS-232 / GPIO connectors | Five identical connectors; mating connector Switchcraft W16982-7SG-P-518; 3.3 V logic level; isolated from the CPU; ESD-protected |
| Power on each communication connector | +5 V up to 1 A and +12 V up to 1 A |
| USB ports | Mating connector USB A; total current up to 3 A |
| Ethernet | Mating connector RJ-45; 10/100 Mbit |
Documentation & data sets
What is SkyHub used for?
SkyHub 3 is a hardware and software set that adds industrial capabilities to commercial off-the-shelf drones and lets you integrate diverse sensors. SPH Engineering lists three applications: custom payload integration with a drone, advanced UAV flight control scenarios, and using drones in an adverse environment.
It runs on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 with 8 GB RAM and 32 GB eMMC flash, measures 112 × 84 × 34 mm and weighs 195 g.
Key features
- Fully isolated and ESD-protected external interfaces.
- Reliable connectors with locks, suited to airborne use.
- Selectable power output (9 V / 12 V / 15 V / 18 V) with a switch-off function for connecting the payload.
- Drone power pass-through to external payloads.
- 3× UART, 1× RS-232, 1× combined UART/RS-232, 2× USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces.
- 4× GPIO pin pairs for general-purpose input/output.
- Protection against reverse polarity on the power input.
- Extended operating temperature range from −25°C to +50°C.
How does SkyHub power your sensors?
SkyHub 3 removes the need for a separate battery or power circuit for the sensors. Every connector with communication ports has +5 V and +12 V pins, which SPH Engineering says covers 99% of sensor power requirements. One extra power connector is configurable and outputs 9, 12, 15 or 18 V with a 5 A maximum load. Sensors can also be powered from the drone through the power pass-through connector.
What do you need to run it?
SkyHub takes 12 V to 60 V (it works from 9 V and up). The SkyHub 3 datasheet (Revision 3, September 2023) lists these compatible drones:
- DJI M210 / M210 V2
- DJI M600 / M600 Pro
- DJI M300 RTK
- Custom frames based on the DJI A3 flight controller
- Pixhawk with ArduCopter / PX4
By default, connector 2 communicates with the flight controller and connector 1 with the altimeter. Payloads connect over UART, RS-232, USB or Ethernet.
Cables and mountings are sold separately on HobiTech, including the SkyHub 3 smart cable assembly for DJI M300/M350 RTK drone, the SkyHub mountings for DJI M300/M350 RTK drone, the SkyHub 3 cable for Pixhawk autopilot and the SkyHub 3 cable for RS232 devices. For the DJI M400, SPH offers a separate SkyHub 3 smart cable assembly for DJI M400 drone. Sensor-specific SkyHub software packages, such as the echo sounder and GPR packages, are also listed separately.
Connector layout
| Connector | Default use | Serial device path |
|---|---|---|
| Connector 1 | Altimeter | /dev/ttyAMA1 |
| Connector 2 | Flight controller | /dev/ttyS0 |
| Connector 3 | UART-based payloads | /dev/ttyAMA2 |
| Connector 4 | Any UART-based or RS-232-based sensor | /dev/ttyAMA3 |
| Connector 5 | RS-232-based payloads | /dev/ttyAMA4 |
GPIO pin pairs have no fixed use. Depending on the payload, they can switch payload power, carry PPS input/output or handle other tasks. SPH Engineering recommends UART over USB where possible, to avoid the time lag of USB communication. LEDs show power output, autopilot connection and core power status.
Why buy SkyHub from HobiTech?
HobiTech is an Official Partner of SPH Engineering based in Bengaluru, India. Every order comes with a GST invoice, and our local team supports the sensor, the drone and the software together. We also offer SPH training courses, including UgCS and True Terrain Following training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SkyHub 3?
A hardware and software set from SPH Engineering that enhances commercial off-the-shelf drones for industrial purposes and supports the integration of diverse sensors.
Which drones is SkyHub 3 compatible with?
The datasheet lists the DJI M210 / M210 V2, DJI M600 / M600 Pro, DJI M300 RTK, custom frames based on the DJI A3 flight controller, and Pixhawk with ArduCopter / PX4. For the DJI M400, SPH offers a separate SkyHub 3 smart cable assembly.
What power does SkyHub need and supply?
It takes 12 V to 60 V input and works from 9 V and up. It supplies a selectable 9, 12, 15 or 18 V output up to 5 A, plus +5 V and +12 V (up to 1 A each) on every communication connector.
Which interfaces does SkyHub 3 have?
Up to 4 UART, up to 2 RS-232, 4 GPIO pin pairs, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 Mbit Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 with BLE.
How big and heavy is SkyHub 3?
It measures 112 × 84 × 34 mm and weighs 195 g, or 215 g with DJI M300 mountings and 220 g with DJI M600 mountings.
What temperatures can it work in?
From −25°C to +50°C.
How do I buy SkyHub in India?
Use Request a quote on this page, or call HobiTech on +91 70225 26509. We confirm the price and configuration, and every order comes with a GST invoice.