ESC32

The AutoQuad ESC32 –  advanced Electronic Speed Controller

ESC32_v3

Why the need for specialized ESCs:

Most standard ESCs are not designed for multirotor applications. Most ESCs are build and configured with an airplane application in mind, they are programmed to increase and decrease the throttle command towards the motor in a gentle way for obvious reasons. A motor fast accelerating and decelerating in an airplane or helicopter would either break the gears or put great stress on the prop and airframe.

A multirotor is different. We would rather have a total linear curve and able to change the motor speed, and thus the thrust, as fast as possible to achieve a perfectly stable platform.

While the current ESCs used in most multrotor applications work considerably well, there is a lot of room for improvement. Using the same ESC but loading it with dedicated optimized firmware will increase the handling and stability of your multirotor greatly.

AutoQuad and most other flight controllers will benefit from ESCs that can operate at PWM frequencies of at least 400hz and are stripped from a controlled throttle curve.

Thats where the ESC32 comes in, a superior 32 bits ESC with a lot of interfaces and room for future enhancements.

Specifications for Version 3

PCB size: 34 x 25.6mm
PCB weight : 5.7 grams
Interfaces: USB, Serial, PWM, CAN
Input voltage range 6 to 42 volts (2-10S lipo)
Nominal max power 750 Watts continous, 1000W peak
Absolute max power 1500 watts
Nominal max current 40A
Absolute max current 50A

Features for Version 3

Active freewheeling
Live telemetry over CAN, USB or Serial
Real time current limiter
User configurable current limit
Control via CAN, PWM, USB or Serial
Closed loop RPM mode
Servo mode (experimental)
Closed loop thrust mode (experimental)
8 to 64 KHZ switching rates
Improved error handling with AutoQuad flight controllers using CAN control
Improved logic side supply eliminates the need for external 5V supply
Speaker function

Learn more about the ESC32v3 in our Wiki

Specifications for Version 2

– STM32F103 72MHz 32bit ARM
– All N-FET design with gate drivers
– 2S through 5S battery voltage
– Option to power logic side via UART or PWM IN +5v
– CAN transceiver hardware support onboard
– Firmware written completely in C
– Cortex SWD connector pads for real-time debugging
– Communications ports: PWM IN / UART / I2C / CAN Bus
– Communications protocols: PWM IN / CLI / binary / 1-wire / CAN / I2C**
– 4KHz to 64KHz PWM out
– Current sensing / limiting with real shunt resistor
– Virtual current limiter
– Regenerative braking (experimental)
– Closed loop control modes
– Lot of available RAM / FLASH for experimentation and development

** I2C drivers have not yet been written

More info on the ESC32v2 Wiki pages.