6.3 KiB
| title | description |
|---|---|
| OpenIPC Thinker Air Unit | OpenIPC Thinker installation and technical notes |
OpenIPC AIO "Thinker" v1.0
The OpenIPC Thinker is a compact and lightweight camera and video transmission unit, which integrates seamlessly with various RC vehicles.
Two variants of the unit are available:
- Base Edition (Store Link) - Features an SD card slot, requires an external WiFi module
- Tiny Edition (Store Link) - Features a low power integrated WiFi module1, does not have an SD card slot
Technical Specifications
Features
- SSC338Q SoC
- Power Supply: 2–6S
- Integrated 3A BEC
- Analog MEMS Microphone
- Connectivity:
- 3x UART ports
- 1x MIPI camera interface
- 1x USB with configurable 5V or 3.3V power output for ext. WiFi module
- 1x Ethernet
- 1x DC power Input
Physical Characteristics
- Board Size: 25x25mm
- Weight (main unit and connected camera module only):
- Without heat sink: ~8.8g
- With heat sink: ~13.4g
- Mounting Holes:
- PCB: 20x20mm
- With heat sink installed: 25.5x25.5mm
- Cooling: Optional aluminium heat sink with passive cooling
Camera Options
IMX335 Module (Store Link)
- 14x14mm camera module in aluminium housing
- Lens: 140° FOV, f/2.8
- IMX335 sensor, integrated 6DOF IMU
This is the default camera unit that comes with the Thinker AIO.
IMX415 Module (Store Link)
This module uses the same hardware as the IMX335 module but features an IMX415-based sensor.
Drawings (Dimensions, Connectivity)
Connectivity & User-Accessiuble Components
Installation Notes
-
Power Connection
- Connect a 2S-6S battery between Vcc and GND terminals
- Do not power the unit through USB Vd, it is a power output
-
Network Connection
- Use the supplied RJ45 cable and adapter to access the web interface, and other management and update utilities
- The ETH link indicator LED shows connection status
-
Camera Module
- A camera modules is attached to the main unit out of the box.
- Camera modules can be exchanged, compatible camera modules are listed in this document.
-
Optional Hardware
- SD Card Slot (available on Base edition)
- On Base edition units, an external WiFi module must be connected to designated pins
- On Tiny edition units, the USB header cannot be used to connect external hardware, as the connection is used by the integrated WiFi module.
- The UART available for communication with flight controller
Various notes:
- Do not remove the thermal putty from the heatsink, it cannot be replaced with thermal paste. If already removed, use low hardness thermal pads, or thermal putty as a replacement.
Pin Descriptions
| Pin Name | Dir | Description |
|---|---|---|
| RJ45 / UART0 Header | ||
| UART0 RX | In | UART0 receive line (connect to RJ45 adapter or serial console) |
| UART0 TX | Out | UART0 transmit line |
| RJ45 TX+ | Out | Ethernet transmit (positive) |
| RJ45 TX− | Out | Ethernet transmit (negative) |
| RJ45 RX+ | In | Ethernet receive (positive) |
| RJ45 RX− | In | Ethernet receive (negative) |
| USB Header | ||
| Vd | Out | Ext. WiFi Module Power output23 |
| DM | I/O | Ext. WiFi Module USB Data - |
| DP | I/O | Ext. WiFi Module USB Data + |
| GND | — | Ground |
| Power / UART1 Header | ||
| Vcc | In | Power input |
| Vcc | In | Power input (duplicate pin, merge wires) |
| RX | In | UART2 receive line (to FC) |
| TX | Out | UART2 transmit line (to FC) |
| GND | — | Ground |
| GND | — | Ground (duplicate pin, merge wires) |
PCB Outline & Heat Sink Dimensions
Firmware Update
To update the firmware, download the latest release. This release includes drivers for RTL8812AU and RTL873XBU.
Note: The RTL8731BU has limitations as a receiving unit (does not support LDPC), disable it on the ground station when using tunnel/MAVLink. It works well as a transmission unit for both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz.4.
To disable LDPC, add the following to the /etc/wifibroadcast.cfg file on your ground station:
[tunnel]
ldpc = 0
If you are using an RTL8812EU module, use this firmware release.