This page lists the most important parts of the HoverGames User Guide to get you started.
This user guide should contain most information you need to get your HoverGames drone and RDDRONE-FMUK66 flying. Most pages should be read in order. Sometimes a link to another page or external source is provided. It is often useful to have a (quick) look at the information found on the external page before you continue reading on this GitBook.
Also, remember that GitBook has a search function - use it to locate specific details quickly! You can find the search box on the right side at the top of the page.
Questions can be asked on the PX4 community Slack and Discuss forum. If anything remains unclear or if wrong information is provided, you can contact the HoverGames team.
Read our introduction to the HoverGames and RDDRONE-FMUK66 if you haven't already done so! It explains what this program is all about, and it introduces the hardware which HoverGames builds upon. Make sure to have a look at the important must read information and the safety page before you continue!
After receiving the HoverGames kit, the first thing you should do is check its contents. A list is available which explains which items should be included in your kit, and the purpose of the different components.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to include absolutely everything you need to fly your drone in the kit. There is a short list of items you will have to buy separately. Most importantly, the kit does not include a battery!
If you have never done anything with drones before, it might be a good idea to get familiar with some basic concepts first. The earlier mentioned list of items included in the kit gives a short explanation of the different parts of a drone. The following page also introduces some of the hardware, software and other important concepts:
This page is part of the documentation for the PX4 Autopilot software, which also supports the RDDRONE-FMUK66. We will also use it to set up the HoverGames drone. There is no need at this point to read about anything other than the basic concepts. We will get to the other parts after you have build your drone.
You might come across many acronyms and terminology that you are not yet familiar with. Everything should become clear as you keep on reading. If not, there are many resources available on the internet, such as these two webpages:
When you are sure nothing is missing from your drone kit, and you have become familiar with some of the basic concepts and principles, you are ready to assemble your drone! We have an assembly guide that explains how to put all the parts together. There are written instructions with pictures available that explain how to build the frame and how to connect the electronics. Videos have been added as well.
Be careful with the carbon fiber parts of the drone frame! The edges may be sharp.
Make sure to properly configure your radio controller. The controller configuration should be changed to make it more reliable and safe.
The RDDRONE-FMUK66 is supported by the PX4 Autopilot software. This GitBook will explain how to install and configure it later. First, it is important to get to know this piece of software. Luckily, the PX4 community has excellent user documentation. Have a quick look at what PX4 has to offer:
The PX4 software is often setup using the QGroundControl software, which can run on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer. You will use this software a lot when changing the configuration of the HoverGames drone, when calibrating sensors or even during flight to monitor your drone. They also have their own user guide available. Install QGroundControl on your computer and have a look at their documentation as well:
After you have assembled the drone, you should program the FMU for first use with a bootloader and the PX4 software. Then you can continue with configuring PX4 using QGroundControl.
More (advanced) information about PX4 is available in the PX4 User Guide that has already been mentioned a few times. It is recommended to have a look at what PX4 has to offer before your first flight.
When the drone is ready, make sure to check everything is connected and working as intended!
We have written down some important (safety) steps before, during and after flight, as well as some general tips on flying. Make sure to read them carefully before your first flight.
Be careful! The HoverGames drone is not a toy! It can cause severe damage to people or objects if not handled correctly. Be prepared and act responsibly when you fly. Also, don't forget about your own safety!
Running into problems? Make sure to check the troubleshooting page before asking the community for help. If you are unable to solve the problems yourself, you can get help on the PX4 community Slack (check out the #hovergames channel!), as well as their community forums.
Now that you have a working drone, you can start writing your own software for the drone. This GitBook provides some information to get you started. Have a look at our developer guide.
This GitBook also includes a technical reference section for the RDDRONE-FMUK66 flight controller hardware. It provides detailed schematics and pinouts for all connectors. Have a look at this section when you start developing your own software and applications for the HoverGames drone. It gives an indication of the different options you have for extending the FMU with additional hardware components.
This page lists the contents of the HoverGames drone kit.
The HoverGames drone kit includes most components required to build your own quadcopter. The kit provides a frame, motors, electronic speed controllers, the RDDRONE-FMUK66 flight controller and some additional peripherals. The contents of the package should be checked to make sure nothing is missing.
Sorry - Some required parts cannot be included in the HoverGames drone kit because of shipping regulations. LiPo batteries and some other small items are listed on a separate page. They have to be bought separately before you are able to fly.
12x Extension cable with bullet connectors
1x Holybro Pixhawk 4 GPS with integrated safety switch and buzzer
1x 3D printed RC receiver antenna mount
1x Debug breakout board with cable and 3D printed enclosure
1x Segger J-Link EDU Mini debugger
1x HoverGames battery strap
1x HotRC A400 3S-4S LiPo battery charger, with EU & US power plugs (BATTERY NOT INCLUDED!)
Hex/Allen keys and wrench
Extra cables with JST-GH connector
Double-sided foam tape / sticky pads
Zip ties
Micro USB cables are included with the radio controller and the telemetry radio sets. Note that the telemetry radio sets are sold separately, they are not included in the HoverGames drone kit!
The NXP RDDRONE-FMUK66 flight management unit is the brain of the HoverGames drone. It features NXP sensors and automotive grade components and it is fully supported by PX4 Autopilot software. This GitBook provides instructions and external sources which should help you set up the software.
The FMU comes with a 3D printed enclosure, which can be mounted on top of the drone with double-sided tape. A microSD card is also included, to which logs will be written during flight. Make sure to insert this SD card before you fly!
The LJI X4 500 quadcopter frame is the body of the HoverGames drone. It replaces the S500 frame that was included with older kits. It is completely made out of carbon fiber parts and has a vibration damped mount for the FMU. This GitBook provides instructions on how to assemble this frame.
Frame size: 500 mm (diagonal), 200 mm (height)
Weight: 475 g (without electronics and motors)
Be careful with the carbon fiber parts of the frame. The edges may be sharp.
Note Updated kits after 2021 use a different 5010 motor type. These all use CW threads, which is acceptable industry practice, however extra care should be taken to ensure the motor nuts for the CW and CCW propellers are tight. The nuts should be checked before any flights. This gitbook and included videos may still refer to and show images using the RS2212 motor type.
The kit includes four brushless motors suitable for a quadcopter the size of the HoverGames drone. Two motors will rotate in clockwise (CW) direction, and two in counter clockwise (CCW) direction. This allows the drone to fly stable without unwantedly rotating around its vertical axis.
The clockwise (CW) rotating motors have a little notch on top of their shaft. It might come with a black nut. The counterclockwise (CCW) rotating motors have a smooth top and they usually come with silver nuts.
Make sure to use the right nuts with the right motors! You could damage the threading on the motor shafts or the nuts if you force a nut with the wrong threading onto the shaft.
Note that the nuts might also be "integrated" into the propellers. The propellers included in the HoverGames kit should be of this "self-locking" type.
Direction of rotation matters when mounting the motors on the frame. This will be extensively discussed in other parts of this GitBook. Make sure to not miss any steps of the assembly instructions.
There are four ESCs (electronic speed controllers) or motor controllers included in the HoverGames kit. The ESCs control the current to the motors on demand of the FMU. The motors are connected to the ESCs with three bullet connectors. It is safe to connect these three connectors in any order.
The three bullet connectors can be connected in any order. However, when a motor does not turn in the desired direction, two of the three cables should be swapped. The motor will then turn into the opposite direction. We will come back to this during the assembly instructions.
The provided ESCs are able to handle currents up to 40 A continuously, which should be more than enough when used with the included motors. They support battery configurations between 2 and 6 cells in series (3 or 4 cells are recommended).
Included in the kit are also two clockwise (CW) turning propellers and two counterclockwise (CCW) propellers. The intended direction of the propeller becomes clear from the shape of the propeller. Looking at it from the side, it curves down towards the back of the propeller blade, with the front being the side which "slices through the air first".
The direction of these self tightening propellers is also easily recognized by the color of the "integrated" nut. Propellers with a black nut are meant to go clockwise, and propellers with the silver nut go counterclockwise.
The power module provides power to the FMU and also includes voltage and current sensors which allow the flight controller to keep track of the battery level.
The small white JST-GH connector provides power to the FMU. The larger black XT60 connectors go to the batteries and to the power distribution board (PDB). The PDB included with the frame kit should already have an XT60 connector installed. (Note that XT60 connectors may also be yellow.)
GPS allows the drone to receive information about its position. This enables position hold mode and autonomous flying modes in which no user input is required. The Pixhawk 4 GPS has an integrated safety switch, buzzer and status LED. It plugs directly into the FMU. It also includes a compass, which is able to measure the rotation of the drone. The GPS comes with its own mount as well.
For controlling the drone, a radio controller is included. The transmitter has several switches to which different actions and functions can be programmed. Settings are changed with a touchscreen, which can also be set up to show telemetry data. The receiver module connects directly to the FMU. A 3D printed component for mounting the antennas of the receiver is included in the drone kit.
More information on setting up the RC transmitter and receiver can be found elsewhere on in this GitBook.
Debug tools are also included in the HoverGames kit. It consists of a small breakout board with a 3D printed plastic case, a Segger J-Link EDU Mini debugger and a USB-TTL-3V3 cable, as well as a 7 pin JST-GH cable that connects the breakout board to the FMU. With this setup you can program a blank board, single step through the code, set breakpoints and debug the processor. The USB-TTL-3V3 cable gives you access to the system console.
The USB-TTL-3V3 cable has to be inserted into the 6 pin connector on the debug breakout board as shown below. The black wire (ground) has to be on the side with the small notch/mark. Doing it the wrong way around could damage your FMU or adapter board!
This page lists some parts that are not included in the HoverGames kit, but are required to use the HoverGames drone.
While the HoverGames kit includes most of the parts needed to build your HoverGames drone, some parts could not be included. You will have to buy them yourself. On this page, you can find a list of parts that you need to buy to complete your HoverGames drone.
The standard drone kit does NOT include a telemetry radio transceiver set, because there are different versions for different regions. However, NXP does sell the recommended Holybro radios!
Please make sure you order the right ones for your region. Depending on your location, you need either a 915 MHz or 433 MHz set. Please check which frequencies / ISM bands are allowed in your region.
These are the NXP part numbers of the telemetry radio sets:
HGD-TELEM915 - Holybro 915 MHz telemetry radio set (Americas)
HGD-TELEM433 - Holybro 433 MHz telemetry radio set (Europe, India)
A set of telemetry radios allows you to change settings and parameters of the FMU without USB. It also allows you to check the status of the drone while it is in the air. One radio connects directly to the FMU. The other radio can be plugged into your computer using the included USB cable.
Drones require batteries which can handle the high currents drawn by the motors. Lithium batteries are able to supply these high currents. Typically these are lithium polymer batteries in a flat "pouch" type configuration. Other cell types and chemistry such as Lithium ion cylindrical or LiFe prismatic cells may be used in some commercial applications. These lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries (and most lithium batteries) can be quite dangerous because of the amount of power they hold, and as such there may be restrictions for shipping this kind of batteries. Overcharging, overdischarging and overheating can lead to catastrophic failure and an uncontrollable lithium metal fire. While you should not be unduly worried, you should always treat the battery pack with respect, store and charge them safely, and properly dispose of any damaged ones. For this reason, there was no battery included in the kit. You will have to buy an appropriate LiPo battery yourself.
As an extra precaution, charging and storing batteries outside, on a concrete floor or in a metal box (Bat-Safe) is a good practice.
NOTE: In most parts of the world LiPo batteries must be shipped by ground only, and labelled properly on external packaging. Never try to ship or pack a LiPo battery by air.
Review local regulations when carrying LiPo batteries on an Aircraft - for example to attend a tradeshow. Generally you cannot pack LiPo batteries in luggage that will go in the cargo hold, and will be required to safely carry them on your person in hand luggage. Battery size, number of batteries and battery wattage restrictions will apply. Check with your airline.
The provided frame, motors and ESCs are designed for a a LiPo battery with the following battery specifications:
3S or 4S, which means a battery with 3 or 4 cells in series. This is often also indicated by the nominal voltage, which is 11.1 V for 3S batteries and 14.8 V for 4S batteries.
XT60 power connector (the big connector, usually yellow).
Capacity of 3000 mAh to 5500 mAh will give you a reasonable flight time.
Smaller batteries will reduce flight time.
Larger capacity batteries will become too big and heavy.
A capacity of around 4200 mAh is usually the most cost effective.
20C continuous discharge rating or higher is recommended. 20C means that the battery can supply a continuous current 20 times its capacity. For a 4000 mAh battery, that means it can continuously supply a current of 80 A. For a 3000 mAh battery you probably want to have at least a 25C rating.
Check your local RC flying or DIY electronics shop, or RC and electronics webshops such as Hobbyking or Conrad. You can also have a look at the ReadytoSky shops at Alibaba.com or AliExpres. NXP does not endorse any specific shop, we are merely suggesting some options.
We suggest a 3S, +/- 5000 mAh battery with XT60 connector.
Handle LiPo batteries with care! These batteries can catch fire or explode when not handled in the right way. Read about the dangers of LiPo batteries and make sure you know how to safely charge and store LiPo batteries.
A good LiPo battery charger is required to safely charge your LiPo batteries. This cannot be done with an ordinary power supply or battery charger! The kits already include a simple charger to get you started. However, these chargers are slow because they only charge through the balance connector.
Therefore, it is recommended that you buy a higher quality charger at some point. A good one charges the battery through its main connector and uses the balance connector only for cell balancing. A good battery charger should also be able to charge batteries with different cell configurations.
The same shops suggested for the LiPo batteries should also sell the right chargers. Have a look at your local RC flying or DIY electronics shops, or go to webshops such as HobbyKing, Conrad, or the ReadytoSky shops at Alibaba.com or AliExpress.
Again, this is not an endorsement of these specific shops, merely a suggestion.
The RC transmitter is powered by four AA batteries, which are not included in the kit. They should be easily available for you to buy.
The HoverGames kit includes some hex/Allen keys and a wrench which are needed to build the frame. However, you might also need an additional Phillips/Pozidriv screwdriver and a small 1.5 mm hex/Allen key. Note that there are 2.0 and 2.5 mm hex keys included in the HoverGames drone kit.
