Download Center » Autopilots

Piccolo History and Overview

• Piccolo System History - 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.

Setup and User Guides

• 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) -A comprehensive and detailed guide of component descriptions, interface guidelines, and system setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 1.3.2 software.
• Piccolo User's Guide (v2.0.4) - A comprehensive and detailed guide of component descriptions, interface guidelines, and system setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.0.4 software.
• Piccolo User’s Guide (v2.1.0) - A comprehensive and detailed guide of component descriptions, interface guidelines, and system setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.1.0 software.
• 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.
• Tuning Piccolo Control Laws 2.0.x – Provides guidance in setting up and tuning the control laws used in the fixed wing version of the Piccolo autopilot, for software version 2.0.x.
• Piccolo Dev Interface - A quick introduction guide to the Piccolo Dev Interface application that provides tools useful for system data analysis.
• Piccolo Communications Specification - Communications protocol used for the Piccolo and ground station.
• 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.

Integration Guides

• 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.

Flight Documents

• Piccolo Preflight Checklist - Lists important preflight checks for the Piccolo autopilot system.
• Flight Summary Log Sheet - Used for documenting important pre and post flight information in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.
• Using Validate During Preflight - Describes procedures on how to validate current Piccolo parameters against a file of known correct parameters.

Piccolo Reference Materials
(Schematics, Mechanical Drawings, Diagrams)

• Piccolo Bench Interface Cable Reference Schematic - Cable is included with the Piccolo Developer’s Kit. Provides power, CAN, serial and programming interfaces needed for laboratory setups including HWIL.
• Piccolo Typical Flight Harness Schematic – Basic harness that includes control surface outputs as well as power, CAN, serial and programming interfaces needed for aircraft integration.
• Pilot Console Cable Schematic - Old Style - Connects the DIN connector trainer port on older (6 and 8 channel) Futaba pilot consoles to the Piccolo Desk Top Ground Station.
• Pilot Console Cable Schematic - New Style - Connects the small square 6 pin connector trainer port on newer (9 channel) Futaba pilot consoles to the Piccolo Desk Top Ground Station.
• UHF Antenna Trim Charts - Avionics and GS - Provides specifications for the ground station and avionics UHF antenna.
• RF Spectrum Information – DD-1494 Information for all Piccolo system intentional RF radiators.
• Piccolo II Assembly Drawing – A dimensional drawing of the Piccolo II Autopilot.

Video

• Novatel RTK DGPS Demo 1 – External view of a TigerShark UAV performing an autonomous take off and multiple landings using a Piccolo II Autopilot with the Novatel RTK DGPS advanced feature.
• Novatel RTK DGPS Demo 2 – External and aircraft view of a TigerShark UAV performing an autonomous take off and landing using a Piccolo II Autopilot with the Novatel RTK DGPS advanced feature.
• AGL Sensor – External and aircraft view of a TigerShark UAV performing an autonomous take off and landing using a Piccolo II Autopilot with the AGL laser altimeter.
• Silver Fox Moving Net Precision Recovery – A video demonstrating several moving net precision recoveries using a Piccolo II equipped Silver Fox UAV with the latest 2.X autopilot software.

Piccolo System Software Downloads

• Latest Piccolo Release
• Aircraft Modeling Tools
• Flight Gear
• Maps