ALLIED DRONES AR25 User manual

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Table of Contents
Overview
Firmware
Flight Controller
Radio Control
Failsafe
Motors, Props, ESCs
Side Plates
Battery
FPV System
Accessories
Specifications
3
4
5
6
7
8
11
18
19
22
23

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overview
…the next evolution of high performance racing drones
Impact resistant composite frame core!
4mm carbon fiber booms!
Fully integrated power and signal PCBs!
24k gold plated connectors and bus bar!
Seriously Dodo rev. 3a F3 flight controller!
Runcam Swift FPV 600TL CCD camera!
200mW RaceBand video transmitter w/ display
Integrated MinimOSD Micro!
Race-spec 2205 2300kv hollow shaft motors!
Flycolor 30A SiLabs F330 ESCs!
Internal battery bay!
14 programable RGB LEDs!
12 high intensity solid red rear LEDs!
Integrated Frsky XSR micro receiver connector

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Firmware
External Resources
Cleanflight Firmware & Configurator Software!
http://cleanflight.com/
Betaflight Flight Control Firmware (installed in the AR25)!
https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight
Betaflight Configurator!
https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight-configurator
MW OSD Firmware & Configuration Software!
http://www.mwosd.com/
BL Heli ESC Firmware & Configuration Software!
https://blhelisuite.wordpress.com/
SiLabs Drivers for Flight Controller & ESCs!
http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/pages/usbtouartbridgevcpdrivers.aspx
While drone racing is fast and exciting, this new
sport is not without its challenges. The only thing
faster than a racing drone are the advancements and
improvements to the software and firmware!
That being said, the AR25 comes fully configured
and tuned out of the box and should fly just fine for
most users. But for those looking to try to get the
most out of their hardware, these following resources
are worth exploring and studying in depth.
So to stay on top of the latest developments, keep
an eye on these sites listed here as well as
allieddrones.com for tutorials, support, and more.

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flight Controller
Seriously Dodo Rev 3a
8 input channels !
8 output channels!
3 UARTs (GPS, Telemetry, S.bus)!
2-6s input power 30v MAX INPUT!
5v output - 0.5A Max!
STM32 F303 256k !
2 megabyte blackbox storage!
Barometer!
Spektrum satellite port!
MPU6050 accelerometer/gyro!
5.4g!
MicroUSB socket!
WS2811-style LEDs pinout!
Preconfigured with Betaflight firmware
We have fully integrated the best flight controller
currently on the market, the Seriously Dodo rev. 3a.
This is a new F3 generation of flight controllers
enables fast loop times and multiple UART ports.
The Dodo board interfaces with an AR25 flight
controller adapter board on the right side plate. This
adapter board allows for several additional
configurable solder pads to enable additional
advanced flight controller/RC features such as FC
OSD, Spektrum Rx, Frsky S.port, S.bus, and more.!
!
The flight controller is pre-configured with Betaflight
and S.bus for the optional Frsky XSR receiver, as well
as the full set of 14 RGB LEDs.
The FC adapter board allows for future additional
flight controller integration.

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RADIO CONTROL
RC Transmitter & Mode Controls
The AR25 has been setup to work nativley with the
FrSky Taranis X9D Plus and XSR s.bus receiver. If you
purchased an ARF package from Allied Drones, then
your receiver has been setup as indicated:
SF - Disarm / Arm!
SH - Off / Momentary Buzzer!
SG - Mode (Angle - Horizon - Rate)!
SD - Airmode Off / AirMode On!
Failsafe - no pulse!
Mode 2 stick configuration
“Home” position for all switches are forward/away
from the perspective of the pilot. Therefore, home
position would be; motors disarmed, buzzer off,
angle mode, airmode off.

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FAILSAFE
Failsafe Mode
In the event of a loss of radio control signal, both the
radio transmitter (if included) and the flight controller
have been set with basic failsafe mode functionality.
In the event of a lost link between the transmitter
and the RC receiver onboard the RC system is
configured to send “no pulses”. In turn, the flight
controller is configured for both Stage 1 and Stage 2
failsafes if it receives no pulses from the RC receiver.

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Motors / Props
M2 (CCW)
M1 (CW)
M4 (CW)
M3 (CCW)
The motor and propeller direction and numbering is
critical for the flight of the AR25. Each set of ESC/
Motor solder tabs are labeled on the side plates.
Because each ESC is fully configurable through the
flight controller via USB, we recommend not
worrying about the order in which the ESC output
and motor leads are wired into the plates because
we can change it in firmware faster than soldering.
NOTE: However, DO pay attention to ESC input wire
+/- wiring!
When replacing motors, props, and ESCs, please
make note of the proper direction and motor
number position.

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ESC / Motors
Motor direction can be changed either by
exchanging the position of any 2 motor or ESC
leads, or can be done in firmware via a simple
software configuration. After replacing motors or
ESCs, remove the props, power on, and arm the
motors. Note the direction they spin and make
adjustments to the wiring or firmware to reverse
direction.
ESC Power (check polarity!)
ESC Motor Leads
Motor Leads

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ESC
The ESCs supplied with the AR25 are Flycolor Raptor
30a model number W-FW020004.
Specifications:!
Constant Current Rating: 30A!
Burst Current Rating (10s): 40A!
BEC: No!
Cells: 2-4S!
Weight: 9.6g!
Processor: SiLabs F330!
Firmware: BLHeli 14.4
BLheli Options Set:!
Dampened Light: On!
Oneshot125: On

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side plates
The AR25 side plates feature integrated RGB and
rear facing red LED lights, power and signal
distribution, integrated 5v regulated power supply,
an audible buzzer, XT60 power connector, an
auxiliary 5v power pinout, gold plated contacts,
solder-less/tool-less internal component connectors,
OSD mounting and external FTDI programming
pinouts, easily accessible motor/ESC solder pads,
and internal LC video filter.
The concept behind the design of the PCB design
was to reduce the tangled mess of wires commonly
found in FPV racers and offer a cleaner, more
reliable, and better performing setup.

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side plates
Motor 1 ESC Signal Pins!
Motor 2 ESC Signal Pins!
5v Auxiliary Power Pins from BEC!
Filtered Auxiliary BEC (internal)!
Buzzer (internal)!
XT60 Main Battery Connector!
Gold Plated Bus Bar Screws!
Flight Controller Screws, black plastic!
OSD Advanced Solder Tabs and FTDI!
Video Transmitter Access Ports!
Video Camera Tilt Screws
Right Plate (flight controller side)

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side plates
Motor 3 ESC Signal Pins!
Motor 4 ESC Signal Pins!
Gold Plated Bus Bar Screws!
Video Camera Tilt Screws
Left Plate

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side plates
LEDs
(0)
There are 7 programmable WS2812 RGB LEDs on
each of the AR25 side plates. These LEDs are able to
be programmed and controlled via the flight
controller and Betaflight firmware.
In addition to the 14 programmable LEDs, there are
also 12 non-programmable red LEDs facing the rear
of the AR25.
The address for each WS2812 programmable LED is
shown in the following diagrams.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Non-programmable solid red LEDs
Programmable WS2012 LEDs

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side plates
LEDs
(7)
The address for each WS2812 programmable LED is
shown in the following diagrams.
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
Non-programmable solid red LEDs
Programmable WS2012 LEDs

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side plates
Bus Bar
The two side plates of the AR25 have a pair of 24k
gold plated aluminum power bus bars connecting
them that supply power from the battery, through
the right side plate and then into the left side plate.
When the battery is connected no not short metal
tools across the gold plated bus bar screws.
Disconnect power first!
**check screw torque regularly**

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Auxiliary pins
An auxiliary 3-pin servo header has been provided
on the left side plate with a 5v center hot pin. This
auxiliary pin receives regulated 5v power from the
integrated AR25 3A power supply and is intended to
allow for the easy addition of an optional LED race
transponder.
Compatible transponders are available from vendors
such as Trackmate and iLap, for instance. But please
check with your local racing venue to see which
system they use.
+5v 3A
Ground
Signal (unused)

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battery
Specifications
The AR25 battery has been specifically designed for
the internal battery bay and features extended
battery discharge leads and a genuine XT60
connector to reach the power input on the left side
plate.
To insert the battery the battery leads must face to
the rear and bottom of the frame. First pass the XT60
connector through the slot to exit the rear of the
composite frame, then tuck the balance connector
into the slot. Tilt the rear of the battery into the bay
and then rotate the front of the battery into position.
Secure the battery by lightly separating the plates
while inserting and rotating the battery plate tabs
into the slots in the plates until it “snaps” into place.
Internal Battery Bay Dimensions: 111mm x 30mm x 35mm!
Standard AR25 battery: 4S 1P, 14.8v, 1800mAh, 60C, XT60, 210g!
Standard battery dimensions: 105mm x 27mm x 35mm!
Standard battery lead length: 150mm!
Charge Rate: 1-2C (max 5C)

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fpv system
Video Camera Specifications
Model!
Image Sensor!
Horizontal Resolution!
Lens!
Signal System!
OSD Set!
S/N Ratio!
Electronic Shutter Speed!
Auto Gain Control (AGC)!
Back Light Compensation!
Minimum Illumination!
WDR!
DNR!
Day / Night!
Power!
Net Weight!
Dimensions
RunCam Swift!
1/3 Sony Super HAD II CCD!
600TVL!
2.8mm 90 fov!
PAL / NTSC!
Yes!
>60db (AGC off)!
NTSC: 1/60 ~100,000!
Yes!
Yes!
0.01 Lux/1.2F!
D-WDR!
2DNR!
Auto/Color/B&W!
DC 5 to 17V!
12g!
26mm x 26mm x 28mm
The video camera installed in the AR25 is the best
available on the market. Battery voltage (4S,
12.8-16.8VDC) is supplied directly to the camera via
the side plate and 3-pin Molex connector. The video
signal passes through the MinimOSD and an
integrated LC Filter before reaching the Video
Transmitter.
2mm screws allow for easy camera angle
adjustments between 24° to 70°.

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fpv system
Video Transmitter Specifications
200mW!
5.8GHz!
40 Channels!
Race Band!
SMA Connector A
CH1!
CH2!
CH3!
CH4!
CH5!
CH6!
CH7!
CH8
5865!
5845!
5825!
5805!
5785!
5765!
5745!
5725
B
CH1!
CH2!
CH3!
CH4!
CH5!
CH6!
CH7!
CH8
5733!
5752!
5771!
5790!
5809!
5828!
5847!
5866
E
CH1!
CH2!
CH3!
CH4!
CH5!
CH6!
CH7!
CH8
5705!
5685!
5665!
5645!
5885!
5905!
5925!
5945
F
CH1!
CH2!
CH3!
CH4!
CH5!
CH6!
CH7!
CH8
5740!
5760!
5780!
5800!
5820!
5840!
5860!
5880
R
CH1!
CH2!
CH3!
CH4!
CH5!
CH6!
CH7!
CH8
5658!
5695!
5732!
5769!
5806!
5843!
5880!
5917
The video transmitter channel display and change
button is accessible through two ports on the left
side plate. A short press will change channels while a
long press will change bands.
Button (short press - channel change, long press - band change)
Alternating Channel / Band Display