3D R X8-M User manual

X8-M
Operation Manual
V.1 2014
©3D Robotics
DCT006
Thank you for purchasing an X8-M! This manual contains important information about your aerial
mapping platform. Please read these instructions before your first flight.
1 Plan 1
2 Fly 19
3 Process 30
Appendix 34
Online information portal: 3DR.com/X8-M
3DR support: [email protected]
Terms and conditions: 3DR.com/terms
Pix4D instructions: support.Pix4D.com

1
1 Plan
Parts 2
Flight Battery 3
Charging 3
Safety 3
Powering the X8 4
Camera Setup 5
3DR EAI 5
Charging 5
Starting a Mission 5
Mounting 6
Ground Station Setup 7
Download Software 7
Connect to Radio 7
Mission Planning 8
Operating Parameters 8
Load Maps 9
Draw Polygon 10
Configure Survey 11
Save and Write Mission 18

2
Parts
RC controller and
accessories
batteries (2)
hex keys
propeller wrench
spare UV filter
spare mounting nut
Android adapter cable
SF propellers
SFP propellers
charger and
accessories
micro-USB cable
battery guard bag
Pixhawk micro-SD
card adapter
X8
ground station radio
FPV/OSD System
If you selected to receive a FPV/OSD system, those components
will be included with the X8’s accessories. See page 27 for parts
and instructions.
registration card and
Pix4D license key

3
1
Connect the charger to the power adapter cable
and a wall outlet. Connect the red cable to the +
port and the black cable to the - port.
+
–
2
Set the charger to LiPo and 3A.
LiPo 3A
3
Connect the white connector to the 4S port, and
join the two yellow connectors together.
4S
4
Secure the battery inside the guard bag,
and charge until the status indicator
displays green.
Charging
Complete
The X8 is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer (LiPo) battery.
Charge the battery before your first flight.
!
Flying with a low battery is a safety risk and can render the
battery permanently unusable. Always fly with a fully charged
battery.
Charge the battery using a designated LiPo balance charger
only. Always monitor the battery while charging. Protect the
battery from extreme heat, extreme cold, puncturing, and
flammable surfaces. Always transport, charge, and store the
battery in the guard bag.
Inspect the battery for damage before and after flying. If you
observe any swelling of the package or the battery ceases
to function, do not use the battery; locate your local battery
recycling center, and dispose of the battery. In the US and
Canada, visit call2recycle.org to find a location. Do not
dispose of the battery in the trash.
Flight Battery
Charging Safety
Charger with power cable and
split-wire charging cable
Charger settings
Flight battery charging wiring Charging in process

4
2
Attach the battery to the underside of the
copter using the velcro straps, and join the
yellow connectors.
Powering the X8
!
It is important to establish communication
before powering on the X8. Always turn
on the controller before connecting the
battery. When powering off the X8,
disconnect the battery before turning off
the controller.
1
Turn on the controller. To avoid triggering
the controller’s startup alarm, ensure that
all switches are set back (away from you)
and the throttle stick is set fully down.
RC controller
Throttle stick
Switches

5
Camera Setup
The X8 includes a Canon PowerShot SX260 HS running the 3DR EAI script.
SD card locked
Load 3DR EAI
»Fly a mapping mission
SD card unlocked
Load default Canon software
»View images on camera
»Save images to ground station
»Update script
3DR EAI (Exposure-Aperture-ISO)
3DR EAI runs on the Canon Hacker Development Kit (CHDK), a powerful open-
source tool that expands the functionality of Canon point-and-shoot cameras. 3DR
EAI optimizes image exposure and integrates with the Pixhawk autopilot to enable
distance-based imaging.
This software is designed to load off the camera’s SD card, leaving the original Canon
programming intact. The yellow switch on the side of the SD card allows you to lock
or unlock the card. Lock the SD card to run 3DR EAI; unlock the SD card to save
images to your ground station or to boot the camera with its original programming.
For more information about 3DR EAI, see page 36.
Charging
Charge the camera battery before your first flight. Once
fully charged, insert the battery into the camera.
status indicator
Starting a Mission
To prepare the camera to fly a mapping mission, ensure
that the mode dial is set to P (program) mode. Power on the
camera using the silver button on the top. 3DR EAI will start
automatically, and you will see the script messages on the
camera display. Check to see that the last line of the script
reads waiting on USB signal. The camera is now ready to map!
power button
Camera ready to map: waiting on USB signal
Canon battery charger
Power off the camera before removing the SD card.
!
Camera running 3DR EAI Camera running Canon software
mode dial

6
mounting plate
latch
When the camera is ready to start the mission, open the latch, and insert the
camera into the mount. Close the latch, and rotate the mount so the camera
faces down. Connect the mini-USB cable to the camera.
Mounting
The camera mount includes a cap to protect the UV filter during travel. Before you
fly, remove the cap, and check that the filter contains no dirt particles or scratches
that could affect image quality. If you notice any damage to the filter that could affect
image quality, screw off the filter and replace with the extra filter provided with the X8.
Connect mini-USB cable
here.
Camera (side)
UV filter
Camera enclosure with cap Camera enclosure with cap removed
mini-USB cable

7
Mission Planner
Your license key for Pix4Dmapper can be found on the registration card
inside the documents package.
Visit mapper.pix4d.com/license-redeem to create an account and redeem
your license key; then visit pix4d.com/download to download Pix4Dmapper
Discovery. Pix4D will automatically upgrade from the Discovery edition to
the LT 3DR Edition (or Pro Edition if you selected to upgrade) when you
log in to the program with your Pix4D account information.
Mission Planner is a full-featured ground station application for planning
missions and monitoring the X8 in flight. Download Mission Planner
from 3DR.com/download_software.
If you already have Mission Planner installed, make sure you’re running
the most recent version: Select the Help tab and Check for Updates.
Mission Planner: Help tab
Ground Station Setup
Pix4Dmapper LT 3DR Edition
To connect the X8 to Mission Planner, connect the ground station radio to
the laptop, and power the X8.
1
Connect the ground station radio to your
laptop using the micro-USB cable. Open
Mission Planner.
3
Select Flight Data to view live data from the X8.
2
Select 57600 and AUTO, then select CONNECT.
(When connecting directly to Pixhawk’s
micro-USB port, set the rate to 115200.)
Connect to RadioDownload Software
Mission Planner allows you to turn a Windows laptop into a full-featured
ground station for configuring and monitoring autonomous missions. You will
need to take this laptop into the field when you fly the mission. As part of the
mission procedure, you will use the Pix4D Rapid Check to verify the quality of
the image set before leaving the field.
Ground station laptop with radio connected
Mission Planner Connect tool (top-right corner))
Mission Planner Flight Data tab: connected to aircraft

8
Operating Parameters
Camera Canon SX260
Camera Orientation Landscape (top facing forward)
Operating Altitude 50-120 m
Default Altitude 60 m
Low-Wind Conditions 0-6 m/s
High-Wind Conditions 7-10 m/s
Maximum Wind Conditions 10 m/s
Operating Speed 1-17 m/s
Default Speed 5 m/s
Estimated Maximum Flight Time 14 min
Estimated Ground Resolution 2 cm/pixel
Estimated Maximum Survey Area .1 km2
Minimum Photo Interval 2 seconds
The X8 is a complete solution for creating high-resolution
visual-spectrum aerial maps.
Pixhawk
autopilot
system
Pix4Dmapper
LT 3DR Edition
Canon SX260
3DR EAI
To create a map, the X8 flies an autonomous mission over
the survey site, using the integration between the Pixhawk
autopilot and custom-programmed camera to capture
images at a consistent distance interval. Pix4Dmapper
then stitches these images together into a georeferenced,
orthorectified mosaic.
The accuracy of the map depends on the configuration of
the mission. Planning a mission that captures high-quality
images requires balancing the X8’s operating parameters
with the environmental factors at the survey site.
Mission Planning
Operating Parameters

9
1
Open Mission Planner, select Flight Plan, and
zoom to your flying location.
2
Right-click on the map, select Map Tool and
Prefetch, and accept the defaults prompts.
Mission Planner will download the maps
for the selected location to your computer.
3
Mission Planner will attempt to load the map data from the current level of zoom down to the
closest level of zoom available. However, it can take hours to pre-fetch every level of zoom,
and it is unlikely that the closer levels will be useful in planning the mission. To shortcut this
process, check the slider on the right side of the map. The levels of zoom are represented by
this slider from 0 (bottom) to 25 (top). Press the ESC key to skip levels of zoom at a greater
detail than you need for mission planning.
Load Maps
Mission Planner allows you to plan the mission away from the mapping location;
however, it is important to assess the environmental conditions on site at the time
of the mission and adjust the flight plan if necessary. Alternatively, you can plan
the entire mission at the mapping location. To create or alter the mission, Mission
Planner requires an Internet connection to access the maps. If you’re unable to
access the Internet on site, follow the instructions below to pre-fetch the maps
within Mission Planner while you have Internet access.
Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: Select Prefetch

10
2
Right click on the map. Select Draw Polygon and
Add Polygon Point. Click and drag to add points
around the area you want to map.
3
Right click on the polygon. Select Auto WP and
Survey (Grid) to open the Survey Tool.
Units
The Survey Tool uses metric units. If your Mission Planner is
set to imperial units, please change the settings to use metric
to plan the mission. Support for imperial units in Mission
Planner is coming soon; check 3DR.com/X8-M for updates.
Draw Polygon
To begin planning the mapping mission, select the area you want to map using
the Polygon tool. You’ll be able to adjust the size and shape of the polygon later in
the mission configuration process.
1
Select Flight Plan, and zoom to your
mapping location.
Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: zoom to mapping location
Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: draw polygon Mission Planner Flight Plan tab: open Survey tool
!

11
Configure Survey: Set Default Parameters
Set Camera
Canon SX260-SX280
Set Camera Orientation
Check the option for Camera top
facing forward.
Set Default Speed
5 m/s
Apply Survey Speed
Check the option for Use speed for this mission.
If unchecked, the mission will use the X8’s
default speed of 5 m/s regardless of the speed
selected in the Survey Tool.
Mission Planner: Survey Tool
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

12
Set Angle
Wind Direction
In environments with winds of less than 6 m/s, set the angle so
that the X8 flies into the wind. In winds from 7-10 m/s, configure
the flight path to travel perpendicular to the wind so the X8 flies
cross-wind.
No. of Strips
Adjust the angle so that the X8 makes as few turns as possible to
complete its course. The No. of Strips parameter shows how many
passes the X8 will make as you adjust the angle.
Review Wind Conditions On-Site
Always assess the wind conditions at your survey site at the time
of the mission and adjust the mission accordingly.
Adjust Polygon
Click and drag the red polygon points to adjust the size and
shape of the polygon from the Survey Tool.
Configure Survey: Set Angle
wind
Angle in high winds (7-10 m/s)
Angle in low winds (1-6 m/s)
!
Use caution when flying in winds over 10m/s. Mapping results
may degrade as a result of inability to make headway or maintain
appropriate groundspeed.
wind
wind
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

13
Set Altitude
Recommended altitude: 60 m
Operating altitude: 50-100 m
Increasing altitude decreases flight time, allowing you to
cover more area per minute. Decreasing altitude improves
ground resolution. Set the altitude to get the best ground
resolution while keeping the flight time under 14 min and
the altitude under 120 m.
Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is
appropriate for your flying area and local regulations.
!
Check Flight Time
Flight Time estimates the duration of the mission. The total
estimated flight time must be under 14 min for a fully
charged X8 battery. To decrease flight time, increase
altitude or speed.
High winds, humidity, high altitude, and extreme heat can
affect power consumption and reduce flight time. Consider
the environmental factors at your site when configuring
flight time.
In this example, we increased speed to 8 m/s to keep
flight time below 14 min while allowing for moderate wind
conditions. When increasing speed, keep in mind that the
increased power required to travel faster will impact flight
time.
Check Ground Resolution
Ground Resolution is the centimeters per pixel that
you will have in the map and corresponds to the
amount of detail that you will see.
To improve ground resolution by decreasing the
number of centimeters per pixel, decrease altitude.
Configure Survey: Set Altitude
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

14
Check Photo Interval
Photo Every must be longer than 2 seconds for the SX260
camera.
Altitude
Increasing altitude increases photo interval.
Keep altitude below 120 m, and ensure that the altitude is
appropriate for your flying area and local regulations.
!
Speed
Decreasing speed increases photo interval.
Ensure that the Use speed for this mission option is checked.
!
Configure Survey: Check Photo Interval
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

15
Takeoff and Land WP’s
For automatic takeoff and landing (recommended)
Check the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option.
Check the Use RTL option.
After initiating the mission, the X8 will automatically take off, climb to
the survey altitude, and begin the mission. At the end of the mission,
the X8 will automatically return to the launch point and land.
For manual takeoff and automatic landing
Uncheck the Add Takeoff and Land WP’s option.
Check the Use RTL option.
Take off manually, and initiate the mission in flight. To end the
mission, the X8 will land automatically at the launch point.
Configure Survey: Set Takeoff and Landing
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

16
Check Advanced Options
to view the Survey Tool’s advanced configuration options.
Adjust Overlap and Sidelap
Overlap and sidelap are set to 50% and 60%, respectively,
by default. See page 35 for an in-depth discussion of these
parameters.
Adjust StartFrom
During the mission, you will maintain contact with the X8 through
the RC controller and ground station signals. If these signals are
lost during flight, the X8 will respond with the assigned failsafe
behaviors. See page 29. If your mission is likely to experience a
loss of signal, it is best practice to start from the corner of the
mission farthest from the launch point.
Configure Survey: Advanced Options
Camera Config
The options under the Camera Config tab
allow you to configure a camera other than
the SX260 and won’t be used for operating
the X8.
Survey Tool: Grid Options (Advanced) Select Grid Options
Mission Planner: Survey Tool

17
Before accepting the survey, check that the mission complies with the X8’s operating parameters. Once you
accept the survey, you will not be able to edit it directly by re-opening the Survey Tool. If you need to adjust the
survey, clear the mission (right click, select Clear Mission), and repeat the survey configuration process.
Camera
Canon SX260-SX280
Altitude
50-100 m
Camera top facing forward
checked
Flying speed
1-17 m/s
Use speed for this mission
checked (optional if speed set to default speed of 5 m/s)
Photo Every
greater than 2 s
Flight time
under 14 min depending on environmental conditions
!Do not accept the mission if any of the parameters
exceed the X8’s operating limits.
Operating Parameters
Configure Survey: Accept Survey
Accept
Select Accept to save the mission.
If Mission Planner prompts you for a home altitude, enter the
altitude that you specified in the Survey Tool.

18
Select Write WPs
to save the mission to the X8.
Select Save WP File
to save the mission file to your computer. To
repeat this mapping mission, load the saved
WP file from your computer.
On the Flight Plan screen, save the waypoint file to your computer and write the mission to the X8.
Save and Write Mission

19
2 Fly
Safety 20
Aircraft Operation 21
Components 21
Assembly 22
Controls 23
Modes 24
Preflight Checks 25
LED Indicators and Tones 25
GPS Lock 25
Arming and Disarming 26
FPV System Operation 27
Flying Mapping Missions 28
Takeoff Checklist 28
Initiating 28
Monitoring 28
Failsafes 29