3D R Solo User manual

User Manual
™

3DR Support
Contact 3DR Support for questions and technical help.
online: 3dr.com/support
email: [email protected]
call: [phone] (direct)
[phone] (toll free in the US and Canada)
Support line hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm PST
3D Robotics (3DR)
1608 4th Street, Suite 410
Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel. [phone]
3dr.com
Solo User Manual V4
© 2015 3D Robotics Inc.
Solo is a trademark of 3D Robotics, Inc.
GoPro, HERO, the GoPro logo, and the GoPro Be a HERO logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro, Inc.

Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 System Overview 1
1.2 Aircraft Overview 2
1.3 Controller Overview 3
1.4 Operating Parameters 4
1.5 Autopilot 5
1.6 Propulsion 5
1.7 LED Meanings 5
2 Setup 6
2.1 In the Box 6
2.2 Battery 6
2.3 Controller 8
2.4 Propellers 9
2.5 Camera 9
2.6 Mobile App 11
3 Safety 15
3.1 Location 15
3.2 Environmental Awareness 15
3.3 Visual Line of Sight 15
3.4 Flight School 15
3.5 Propellers 16
3.6 GPS 16
3.7 Home Position 16
3.8 Altitude Limit 16
3.9 Emergency Procedures 17
3.10 Flight Battery 18
3.11 Controller 18
3.12 Antenna Configuration 18
4 First Flight 19
4.1 Preflight Checklist 19
4.2 Takeoff 19
4.3 Landing 20
4.4 Return Home 21
4.5 In-Flight Data 21
4.6 Joystick Control 22
4.7 App Interface Overview 25
5 Smart Shots 26
5.1 Selfie 26
5.2 Cable Cam 27
5.3 Orbit 29
5.4 Follow 30
6 Alerts 32
6.1 Preflight Errors 32
6.2 In-Flight Errors 33
7 Advanced Settings 36
7.1 Advanced Flight Modes 36
7.2 Enabling Advanced Flight Modes 37
7.3 Accessing Advanced Flight Modes 37
7.4 Home Position Safety 37
7.5 Performance Adjustment 38
7.6 Units 38
7.7 Maximum Altitude Adjustment 38

8 Support 39
9 Maintenance 39
9.1 Controller Battery Replacement 39
9.2 Calibrations 40
9.3 Pairing 41
9.4 Legs 42
9.5 Battery Tray 45
9.6 Motors 46
9.7 Factory Reset 48
10 Appendix 49
10.1 Specifications 49
10.2 Warranty 50
10.3 Regulatory Compliance 50

Figures
Figure 1.1.3.1: Solo System Context Diagram 1
Figure 1.2.4.1: Solo Overview 2
Figure 1.3.10.1: Controller Overview 4
Figure 1.4.10.1: Solo Operating Parameters 4
Figure 1.6.10.1: Solo Motor Order 5
Figure 2.1.10.1: Solo Parts 6
Figure 2.2.1.1: Solo Battery Charging 7
Figure 2.2.2.1: Powering Solo 7
Figure 2.3.1.1: Controller Charging 8
Figure 2.3.2.1: Power On Controller 8
Figure 2.4.1.1: Attach Propellers 9
Figure 2.5.1.1: Attach Camera 10
Figure 2.5.2.1: Camera Configuration Process 10
Figure 2.6.2.1: Connect to Solo Link 11
Figure 2.6.3.1: App - Settings Menu 11
Figure 2.6.3.2: App - Wi-Fi Settings 12
Figure 2.6.4.1: Controller Preflight Update Prompt 12
Figure 2.6.4.2: App - Software Update 12
Figure 2.6.4.3: App - Download Update 12
Figure 2.6.4.4: App - Update Download in Progress 13
Figure 2.6.4.5: App - Reconnect to Solo Wi-Fi 13
Figure 2.6.4.6: App - Start Update 13
Figure 2.6.4.7: Controller - Updating 13
Figure 2.6.4.8: App - Update Disconnection Confirmation 13
Figure 2.6.4.9: Controller Update Complete Displays 14
Figure 2.6.4.10: Controller - Waiting for Solo 14
Figure 2.6.4.11: App - Update Success 14
Figure 2.6.5.1: App - Viewing Video 14
Figure 3.4.5.1: App Flight School 15
Figure 3.9.5.1: Controller - Motor Shutoff 17
Figure 3.11.5.1: Controller Antenna Orientation 18
Figure 4.2.1.1: Controller - Start Motors Prompt 19
Figure 4.2.2.1: Controller - Takeoff Prompts 20
Figure 4.3.2.1: Controller - User-Initiated Landing 20
Figure 4.4.2.1: Return Home Behavior 21
Figure 4.5.2.1: Controller - In-Flight Data 21
Figure 4.6.2.1: Controller Left Joystick 22
Figure 4.6.2.2: Throttle Joystick Behaviors 22
Figure 4.6.2.3: Yaw Joystick Behavior 23
Figure 4.6.2.4: Controller Right Joystick Controls 23
Figure 4.6.2.5: Pitch Joystick Controls 24
Figure 4.6.2.6: Roll Joystick Controls 24
Figure 4.7.2.1: App - Main Interface 25
Figure 4.7.2.1: App - Shot List 25
Figure 5.1.2.1: Selfie Path and Settings 26
Figure 5.1.1.1: App - Selfie Activation 26
Figure 5.1.2.1: App - Selfie Control 27
Figure 5.1.2.2: Controller - Selfie Control 27
Figure 5.1.3.1: App - Selfie Settings 27
Figure 5.2.1.1: App - Cable Cam Setup 28
Figure 5.2.2.1: App - Cable Cam Controls 28
Figure 5.2.2.2: Controller - Cable Cam Controls 28
Figure 5.2.3.1: App - Cable Cam Settings 28
Figure 5.3.1.1: App - Orbit Setup 29
Figure 5.3.2.1: App - Orbit Controls 29
Figure 5.3.2.2: Orbit Controls 30
Figure 5.3.3.1: App - Orbit Settings 30
Figure 5.4.1.1: App - Follow Setup 30
Figure 5.4.2.1: Follow Controls 31
Figure 5.4.3.1: App - Follow Settings 31
Figure 6.1.1.1: Controller - Calibration in Progress Alerts 32
Figure 6.1.1.2: Controller - Uneven Surface Alert 32
Figure 6.1.1.3: Controller - Re-Calibration Required Alerts 32
Figure 6.1.1.4: Controller - Calibration Error Alert 33
Figure 6.1.2.1: Controller - Service Alerts 33
Figure 6.2.1.1: Controller - Altitude Limit Alert 33
Figure 6.2.2.1: Controller - App Connection Alerts 34
Figure 6.2.3.1: Controller - Controller Disconnected Alert 34
Figure 6.2.3.2: Controller - Controller Signal Alerts 34
Figure 6.2.4.1: Controller - GPS Signal Alerts 35
Figure 6.2.5.1: Controller - Low Battery Alerts 35
Figure 6.2.5.2: Controller - Critical Battery Alert 35
Figure 6.2.6.1: Controller - Controller Battery Alerts 35
Figure 7.2.5.1: App - Advanced Settings 37
Figure 7.3.5.1: App - A and B Presets 37
Figure 7.5.5.1: App - Performance Sliders 38
Figure 7.6.5.1: App - Change Units 38
Figure 7.7.5.1: App - Altitude Limit 38
Figure 8.7.5.1: App - Submit Trouble Ticket 39
Figure 9.1.5.1: Controller Battery Installation 39
Figure 9.2.1.1: App - Compass Calibration Setup 40
Figure 9.2.1.2: App - Compass Calibration Procedure 40
Figure 9.2.2.1: App - Level Calibration 40
Figure 9.3.2.1: Solo Pair Button 41
Figure 9.3.2.2: Controller Pairing Procedure 41
Figure 9.4.2.1: Leg Types 42
Figure 9.4.1.1: Standard Leg Replacement Process 42
Figure 9.4.2.1: Detaching the Antenna from the Leg 43
Figure 9.4.2.2: Attaching a New Leg with an Existing Antenna 43
Figure 9.4.2.3: Attaching an Existing Antenna to a New Leg 43
Figure 9.4.3.1: Compass Connector on Mainboard 44
Figure 9.4.3.2: Insert New Leg with Compass 44
Figure 9.5.1.1: GPS Cover Removal 45
Figure 9.5.2.1: Battery Tray Removal 45
Figure 9.5.2.2: Battery Tray Detachment 45
Figure 9.6.2.1: LED Cover Removal 46
Figure 9.6.2.2: Motor Pod Removal 46
Figure 9.6.2.3: Motor Pod Disconnection 47
Figure 9.6.2.4: Motor Pod Connection 47
Figure 9.6.2.5: Motor Pod and LED Cover Attachment 47

1
1 Introduction
We designed Solo to be the perfect aerial-video tool. It’s powerful, simple and reliable with intuitive Smart Shots
inspired by our favorite cinema pilots. With Solo, you don’t need a professional camera crew, you can get the
perfect shot every time. We’re excited to share our passion with you and help you see your world from a new
perspective. Join us in capturing the next evolution of creative videography.
1.1 System Overview
The Solo system includes Solo, the controller, the “3DR Solo” app, and you. As the operator, you interact with the
controller and app on the ground, and the controller communicates with Solo during flight.
1.1.1 Solo
Solo is a small unmanned aerial vehicle powered by four motors and four propellers. Solo’s onboard computers
control navigation, attitude, and communications in flight while sending real-time telemetry and video output and
receiving control inputs over the 3DR Link secure Wi-Fi network. Solo is optimized for capturing aerial video using a
GoPro®HERO camera.
1.1.2 Controller
The controller provides control mechanisms and displays in-flight data on a full-color screen. Using twin long-
range antennas, the controller acts as the central hub for all communication on the 3DR Link network, receiving all
communications from Solo and the app, forwarding telemetry outputs to the app, and managing the transmission of
all control inputs to Solo.
1.1.3 App
The “3DR Solo” app outputs a live video stream from an onboard GoPro® camera to an Android or iOS device. The
app allows you to view the live video with overlaid telemetry and access a simplified graphic interface for controlling
Solo’s advanced functions. The app also connects to the 3DR Link network to receive video and telemetry outputs
and send control inputs.
Figure 1.1.3.1: Solo System Context Diagram
Video output
Telemetry output
Control input
Operator
3DR Solo
Controller
3DR Solo
3DR Solo
App
AirGround
3DR Link
Secure WiFi
Network

2
1.2 Aircraft Overview
1.2.1 Smart Battery
The battery connects to Solo’s battery bay. Solo’s power button is located on the battery; Solo can only be powered
when the battery is connected.
1.2.2 Motors and Propellers
Solo’s arms are labeled one through four on the ends of the arms. Motors on arms #1 and #2 spin counterclockwise
and use clockwise-tightening propellers with silver tops. Motors on arms #3 and #4 spin clockwise and use
counterclockwise-tightening propellers with black tops.
1.2.3 Orientation LEDs
Each arm contains an LED for ground-to-air directional awareness; the two front arms (#1 and #3) display white, and
the two rear arms (#2 and #4) display red. This LED scheme mimics the headlight and taillight style of a car.
1.2.4 Fixed Camera Mount and HDMI Cable
Solo includes a GoPro®The Frame fixed mount to mount a GoPro®HERO camera. The HDMI cable connects to the
GoPro®to output video during flight.
Figure 1.2.4.1: Solo Overview
Silver-top propeller
Power button
Battery
Rear orientation LEDs
Black-top propeller
Motor
Arm numbering
Front orientation LEDs
Fixed camera mount
HDMI cable
Height: 10.2”
Motor-to-motor: 18.1”
Weight (no camera): 3.3 lbs.

3
1.3 Controller Overview
1.3.1 Mobile-Device Holder
Mount an Android or iOS device to run the Solo app and effortlessly integrate the app into the controller’s
operational flow. A user-supplied smartphone or tablet is required to initialize Solo and use Smart Shots.
1.3.2 Joysticks
The controller’s left and right joysticks provide direct manual control of Solo and physical control mechanisms for
using Smart Shots.
1.3.3 Screen
The controller’s full-color screen provides live in-flight data and prompts for correct operation of Solo.
1.3.4 Power Button
Press the power button once to check the controller’s battery level. Hold the power button until you see the
controller startup screen to power on the controller.
1.3.5 Fly Button
The Fly button lets you control Solo’s main flight functions: starting motors, takeoff, land, and activating standard
flight.
1.3.6 Return Home
The Return Home button allows you to end your flight automatically at any point by returning Solo to its original
launch point and landing.
1.3.7 Pause Button
The Pause button is Solo’s emergency air brake. Press Pause to stop Solo and hover in place at any time.
1.3.8 Option Buttons
The A and B buttons change functionality based on where you are in the operational flow. The screen will show the
currently assigned functions of A and B at all times. You can program A and B to specific functions using the app.
By default, the A button is assigned to Cable Cam and the B button is assigned to Orbit.
1.3.9 Antennas
The controller’s long-range dipole antennas communicate with Solo during flight. See Section 3.12 for proper
antenna configuration.
1.3.10 Gimbal Controls
The paddle, buttons, and dial on the top of the controller are used to control the Solo Gimbal. They can also be used
in some Smart Shots.

4
Figure 1.3.10.1: Controller Overview
1.4 Operating Parameters
The following operating parameters apply to Solo. Always operate Solo within these parameters. Solo’s performance
and behaviors are not guaranteed when conditions violate the parameters listed below.
Figure 1.4.10.1: Solo Operating Parameters
*Flight time varies with payload, wind conditions, elevation, temperature, humidity, flying style,
and pilot skill. Listed flight time applies to elevations less than 2,000 ft above sea level.
**See Section 7.7 to adjust maximum altitude.
***Depending on environmental conditions
****This top speed corresponds to Solo when operating in Fly mode. Maximum speeds for advanced
modes may vary, see Section 7.1 for more information.
Estimated flight time up to 25 minutes*
Default maximum altitude 150 ft. (46 m) above ground level**
Range .5 miles*** (.8 km)
Payload capacity 1 lb. (450 g)
Cruise speed 18 mph (8 m/s)
Maximum speed 33 mph (15 m/s)****
Wind speed limitation 25 mph (11 m/s)
Operating temperature 32° F - 113° F (0° C to 45° C)
Antennas
Mobile-device holder
Gimbal controls
Joysticks
Screen
Pause
Return home
Fly
Power
Options

5
1.5 Autopilot
Solo uses a Pixhawk 2 autopilot running ArduPilot Copter software. ArduPilot is open-source flight control based on
the MAVlink communication protocol. Pixhawk 2 runs an ARM Cortex-M4 STM32F427 processor with 2 MB of flash
memory and 256 KB of RAM. Combined with an array of CAN, I2C, SPI, PWM, and UART interfaces, Pixhawk 2
uses a suite of onboard sensors to calculate Solo’s orientation and motion in flight. This data is input into ArduPilot’s
inertial navigation and position estimation algorithms and combined with control inputs to send commands to Solo’s
propulsion system.
1.6 Propulsion
Solo uses four brushless 880 Kvmotors and four self-tightening propellers for propulsion. For control and
aerodynamic efficiency, two motors spin clockwise and two motors spin counterclockwise. Navigation in the air is
achieved by mixing propulsion of the four motors to actuate flight control along the roll, pitch, and yaw axes.
Each of the four motors is numbered by the marking on the arm. These numbers correspond to the autopilot
calculations for these commands and are used for indicating motor replacement procedures. Each motor is
controlled by an ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) that regulates the rotation of the motors to achieve the speed
commanded by the autopilot.
Figure 1.6.10.1: Solo Motor Order
1.7 LED Meanings
Solo’s four LEDs indicate its status during startup and in flight.
• Solid white (front) and red (back): Ready to fly, standard flight configuration
• Pulsing white (front) and red (back): Solo is flying under autopilot control
• Flashing red alternating front and back: Controller signal lost
• Flashing rainbow: Update in progress
• Solid green, then turning off one-by-one: Startup successful
• Solid green without turning off automatically: Startup unsuccessful, please restart Solo
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