Autopilots

Piccolo Systems

Piccolo Plus

Piccolo II

Piccolo LT

Ground Station

Accessories

Piccolo Command Center

3rd Party Resources

Helicopter Solutions

Piccolo Plus

 is the second generation of the Piccolo autopilot system. It is a full featured autopilot ideal for fixed wing UAV applications with moderate payload interface requirements.
Piccolo II UAV Autopilot

  • Small size – easy integration
  • EMI shielded carbon fiber enclosure
  • Single 44-pin EMI filtered vehicle interface connector. Standard HD D-sub
  • Two payload management serial ports
  • Multiple internal radio options.
Mechanical
emptySize: 5.6 inches x 3.0 inches x 2.4 inches
emptyWeight: 212 grams (7.5 oz)
Environmental
  
emptyOperating Temperature: -40C to +80C
    (Calibrated Range)
Interface
emptySerial interface: Two RS232 payload ports
emptyServo PWM: Up to 10 servos
emptyCAN: Simulation Interface
emptyGeneral Purpose: 2 GPIO lines
emptyFlight Termination: Deadman output
Electrical
  
emptyPower: 8 V to 20 VDC, 5 W max
Download the Piccolo Plus Data Sheet for specifications and dimensional drawings of the Piccolo Plus autopilot.
The integrated Piccolo radio link is available in a range of frequency bands so that integrators can pick the radio frequency that best supports their operational environment. The Piccolo avionics and Ground Station radios must be configured with the same radio.
  • The 900 MHz ISM radio is an unlicensed radio in North America and Australia. Cloud Cap Technology recommends this radio option for North American and Australian customers not requiring DoD licensed bands.
  • The 2.4 GHz ISM band is unlicensed in North America, EU countries and other international locations.
  • Discrete frequency, licensed band, options are available in the range of 310 to 390 MHz, and 405 to 425 MHz. In the US, these bands are controlled by the DoD.

Available Radio Options for Piccolo Autopilots:

  • 900 MHz Unlicensed ISM*
  • 900 MHz Australian Band
  • 2.4 GHz Unlicensed ISM
  • 310-390 MHz Discrete
  • 405-425 MHz Discrete Licensed

* The 900 MHz Unlicensed ISM is the only radio option available for the Piccolo LT.

Download the DD1494 forms for Cloud Cap Technology’s radio spectrum-dependent equipment.

Advanced Software Features

The Piccolo Plus comes with the Standard Software Feature Set plus Peripherals at no additional charge. The following additional software feature sets can be purchased:

View a comparison table of all the software features available for the Piccolo II Autopilot.
Download the Piccolo Software Options Data Sheet for complete information.

The Piccolo Developer's Kit

  provides the parts needed to operate the Piccolo in a Hardware-In-Loop (HIL) bench simulation environment. HIL simulation is a cornerstone of unmanned aircraft development. Well-designed simulators allow the aircraft control laws and mission functionality to be tested without risking hardware in flight test.

Although HIL simulation cannot replace flight-testing, it measurably reduces the likelihood of failure by detecting bugs and deficiencies in the lab. See the Piccolo Simulator and the Piccolo Setup Guide for more information on how to use the simulator.

Piccolo Developer's Kit
Piccolo Developer's Kit
CCT Part Number 900-90003-00 USB to CAN Module with USB Cable Piccolo to CAN Cable Piccolo Programming Cable Piccolo Interface Cable GPS Antenna 114 inches long 900 MHz Piccolo Antenna Piccolo Interface Power Adapter Cable Piccolo Users Manual Power Supply Piccolo System Software Futaba Pilot Console with Case

Also available:

  • 2.4GHz Piccolo Developer's Kit - CCT Part Number 900-90003-01
  • 320MHz Piccolo Developer's Kit - CCT Part Number 900-90003-02
  • CCT Product Catalog - A short developmental history of the Piccolo autopilot.
  • Complete Product List - A complete list of integration, peripherals, and accessory items designed to optimize CCT products and systems.
  • Product Export Fact Sheet - A brief description of the regulatory processes required for Cloud Cap Technology to export its products.
  • Piccolo System History - A short developmental history of the Piccolo Autopilot.
  • Steps to Autonomous Flight - Outlines the steps involved in configuring, installing and operating the Piccolo autopilot system. It is very important to read this document first because it provides a guide through other system documentation required to properly set up and integrate the Piccolo system.
  • Piccolo Setup Guide - An overview of the Piccolo autopilot system components. Provides initial setup information for the hardware and software simulation environments to guide users to a functioning laboratory environment.
  • SIL and HIL Checklists – A quick reference checklist for the Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations.
  • Piccolo User's Guide (v1.3.2) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 1.3.2 software.
  • Piccolo User's Guide (v2.0.4) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.0.4 software.
  • Piccolo User’s Guide (v2.1.0) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.1.0 software.
  • Piccolo User’s Guide Helicopter Supplement – Provides controller information and swashplate configurations for the Piccolo autopilot system used in helicopter and other rotary wing unmanned vehicle applications.
  • Piccolo Simulator -A detailed user’s guide to the Simulator environment and software. Includes guidance on modeling and simulating customer aircraft which is a key element in the steps to autonomous flight.
  • Piccolo External Interface - Interface definitions and pin-outs for the Piccolo Plus, Piccolo II, and Piccolo LT.
  • Piccolo Dev Interface - A quick introduction guide to the Piccolo Dev Interface application that provides tools useful for system data analysis.
  • Communications Troubleshooting - Covers basic testing procedures, information, and tools to help diagnose Piccolo radio communication problems.
  • Piccolo Software Update Guide - Covers how to update Cloud Cap Technology products with the latest software and firmware.
  • Software Roadmap - Outlines the development plan for maintenance of the Piccolo software.
  • Piccolo Software-in-Loop Setup Guide - A comprehensive step by step guide to set up the Software-in-Loop (SIL) simulation environment.
  • OAT Sensor External Interface - Interface definitions and pin-outs for Outside Air Temperature Sensor.
  • Piccolo Vehicle Integration Guide - Provides technical information for installing the Piccolo autopilot into an airframe.
  • Iridium Integration Guide - Provides technical information for installing the Iridium communication system into an airframe.
  • Magnetometer Integration Guide - Provides technical information for integrating a Magnetometer with a Piccolo autopilot.
  • Novatel DGPS Integration Guide –Provides technical information needed to assist in the integration of the Novatel DGPS equipment with the Piccolo Autopilot system avionics and Piccolo Portable Ground Station.
  • Tach / Deadman Integration Guide - Provides technical information for installing the Tach/Deadman interface board.
  • Piccolo Servo Gimbal Integration Guide – How to setup and configure a non-stabilized, servo based gimbal–other than a Cloud Cap Technology gimbal–to the Piccolo autopilot using the pan and tilt servo connections available on the Piccolo autopilot.
  • Latest Piccolo Release - Includes all the Piccolo software applications, installers and related support documentation.
  • Aircraft Modeling Tools - Helps to model aircraft dynamics in the Piccolo System. Useful for developing a simulation model of your aircraft.
  • Flight Gear - A highly accurate software flight simulator that helps to provide visualization of the aircraft altitude.
  • Maps - A collection of various maps layers to use for visualization reference in the Piccolo Command Center and Gimbal UI.

Video

  • All Piccolo Autopilots can be configured for Laser Altimeter or DGPS auto landings, and moving net recovery.
  • Piccolo testing and demonstration video may also be downloaded and viewed in WMV format from our Video Downloads page
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