Picoradio OEM


Picoradio

We are excited to present our latest miniature OEM product, the Picoradio board. Based on the new Microhard pDDL/pMDDL, the board is a full-featured picominiature advanced datalink module geared at demanding miniature long range vehicle applications.

Picoradio is our advanced single link system for UAS/Multicopters.  With it you can perform 3 functions in one- HD video capable data rates, autopilot communications, and serial passthrough.  Picoradio is a high power long range broadband COFDM link.  The board has a ton of onboard features all crammed into a tiny 18 gram package.

Here are some of the feature highlights:

  • 1W COFDM RF output  (typical range with very basic antennas is 5 miles, much longer range is possible with high gain antennas / RF amplifiers / tracking antennas where possible)
  • 2×2 MIMO (pMDDL versions) dual antenna ports
  • Full mesh networking standard. Other modes include master/ multiple slaves, communications relay.
  • Software selectable output power from 7 dBm to 30 dBm in 1 dBm steps
  • Robust secure latching compact connectors
  • Dual ethernet ports- use as ethernet bridge ports or separate LAN segments.
  • 2x Transparent serial ports (one is switchable RS232/3.3V TTL, one is TTL only), both supporting up to 115200 baud, Pixhawk compatible pinout, with 5V@1A output available on the serial port connectors.
  • Wide input range efficient buck-boost operation (8-58V input at full output power, 5-58V with limitations)
  • Auxiliary power output, 12V@2A typical or up to 12V@5A (input voltage limitations).  Capable of powering cameras / gimbals etc. from wide input range battery power.
  • Power over ethernet possible (separate power and data lines)
  • Sophisticated bandwidth modes for 20+ Mbps throughput
  • 2.4 GHz version 2×2 MIMO available now.
  • Dual 900 MHz / 2.4 GHz version also available now- please note this radio is not dual simultaneous but is band switchable.  Also this version does not have RX diversity.  This radio is thicker than the standard Picoradio (the radio module is dual height).
  • 1.8 GHz version available as special order
  • 2.3 GHz 2×2 MIMO version available
  • Japan version available
  • pDDL advanced bandwidth modes
  • RF channels available outside the standard wifi frequency range
  • Support for external RF amplifiers (provision for external Tx/Rx line control, or use with automatic direction detecting RF amps).
  • Compatible with our external tiny SBUS module for manual control passthrough of up to 16 manual control channels over the same secure datalink (works great with Taranis), and wireless SBUS manual pilot console connection.
  • Serial / SBUS data prioritized over video data (and has more sensitivity for this data due to the use of additional modulation codes)
  • NDAA Compliant
  • Size: 40x40x10mm
  • Weight: 17.6 grams

News:

See below for online ordering.  For large quantities please contact us for pricing and lead time.

Please note that the secondary serial port is fully functional. Documentation will be updated shortly to reflect this.

The first revision of our board was highly successful and functional.  Revision 1.1 included a move to JST-GH connectors for serial and ethernet for robustness. We have also added some minor features.
This version uses the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band at up to 1W RF output. This is not a wifi radio, this uses a superior COFDM modulation which is optimized for vehicle use.  Power output is software selectable from 7 dBm to 30 dBm (1W).
For more information on our radio module see the specifications, datasheet, and manual below.
For more information on the Microhard pDDL/pMDDL modules see their web site.

Radios are available with no encryption (widely exportable). The default is 128-bit encryption which is available for most customers but has some export restrictions. 256-bit encryption is available to primarily domestic customers, and has the most stringent export rules.

You need at least two radios to communicate. You could either use two Picoradios, or one Picoradio and one Microhard pDDL with pDDL motherboard, or Microhard’s enclosed pDDL unit (contact us if you want to order an enclosed Microhard unit, we do stock / quote these also).

For small quantities, please order using the web based ordering system below.  For larger quantities please contact us by email or phone.

Please note that cable kits are separate.  We can also supply additional accessories such as airborne and base station antennas, enclosed base station units, RF amplifiers, and more.

See below for datasheet / manual / CAD models.

To see available variants and to purchase, please visit our online store by clicking ‘shop’ at the top of the page, or click here. Please get in touch if you don’t see what you need.

Picoradio 2.4GHz advanced datalink module
Picoradio 2.4GHz
Picoradio 900/2.4GHz dual band advanced datalink module
Picoradio 900/2.4GHz dual band radio

Downloads:

Picoradio Datasheet

Picoradio Manual

Picoradio CAD 3D Model