Autopilots » Piccolo Systems

Piccolo Highly Integrated Autopilots

 are a leap forward over other avionics systems. They provide a complete, off the shelf avionics system solution including the core autopilot, flight sensors, navigation, wireless communication, and payload interfaces, all in a small, highly integrated, and inexpensive package. See the Piccolo System History and Overview document for a short developmental history and overview of the Piccolo autopilot system.

• Piccolo Plus - Full featured autopilot - 212g complete.
• Piccolo II - Expanded I/O option for payload intensive applications - 233g complete.
• Piccolo LT - Smallest option for applications where volume and weight are critical - 109g complete.

See the Video section of the Autopilots Download page for a demonstration of autonomous take off and landings and moving net precision recoveries using the Piccolo II Autopilot.

Advanced Avionics System Functionality

With the latest Piccolo software version, our autopilots offer advanced system functionality, including:

• Completely autonomous operation with runway, balloon, or catapult launch and runway or net auto-land.
• Common software for all autopilot options.
• GPS/INS with aided AHRS backup for graceful degradation in GPS denied environments.
• Plug and play support of peripherals including transponders, magnetometers, sat-comm modems, RTK GPS receivers, laser altimeters, and flight termination.
• Radio frequency options for internal data links.
• Auto Assist manual flight modes.
• Flexible drag and drop flight plan generation and updates.
• Powerful simulation tools. Single CPU software simulation in addition to complete system Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation, requiring less control law tuning.
• Included in FAA type certified and NAVAIR certified integrations.

Applications

• Fixed wing and helicopter UAVs
• Hand launched UAVs
• Integrated in gas, electric, and non-powered aircraft
• Payload Intensive UAV integrations
• Range safety monitors or Independent telemetry sources