Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor — UART, 95Hz, JST GH, PX4 & ArduPilot, for Pixhawk UAV
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Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor — UART, 95Hz, 6-Pin JST GH, PX4 & ArduPilot Compatible, for Pixhawk UAV
The Holybro PMW3901 is a compact UART optical flow sensor based on the PMW3901 module with a built-in BEC, designed for GPS-denied position hold and indoor navigation on Pixhawk-compatible UAVs. Pre-soldered with a 6-pin JST GH connector (170mm cable) for direct connection to TELEM ports on most Pixhawk flight controllers. Fully compatible with PX4 and ArduPilot (CX-OF data format). Includes a TPU protective case. CE certified.
Key Features
- PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor — High-performance optical flow chip for accurate ground velocity estimation in GPS-denied environments
- UART Interface — Simple serial connection at 19200 baud; plug directly into any Pixhawk TELEM or UART port
- 95Hz Update Rate — Fast optical flow data output for responsive position hold and low-altitude navigation
- Built-in BEC — Onboard voltage regulator; no separate power supply required
- 6-Pin JST GH Connector Pre-installed — 170mm cable pre-soldered for direct plug-in to Pixhawk TELEM ports; no soldering required
- TPU Protective Case Included — Flexible TPU shell protects the sensor during installation and operation
- PX4 & ArduPilot Compatible — Supported natively in PX4; ArduPilot support via CX-OF data format
- Ultra-Compact & Lightweight — 14 × 11 × 5mm, 0.6g; minimal impact on airframe weight and space
- CE Certified
Specifications
- Sensor: PMW3901
- Interface: UART
- Baud Rate: 19200
- Update Rate: 95Hz
- Operating Voltage: 2.0–3.6V
- Current: 10mA
- Dimensions: 14 × 11 × 5mm
- Weight: 0.6g (sensor only)
- Connector: 6-pin JST GH (170mm cable, pre-installed)
- Firmware Compatibility: PX4, ArduPilot (CX-OF format)
- Certification: CE
Data Format
- byte0: header (0xFE)
- byte1: number of data bytes (0x04)
- byte2–3: x-motion (high/low byte)
- byte4–5: y-motion (high/low byte)
- byte6: checksum
- byte7: surface quality
- byte8: footer (0xAA)
What’s Included
- 1× PMW3901 optical flow sensor
- 1× 6-pin JST GH 170mm cable (pre-installed)
- 1× TPU protective case shell
Applications
- Indoor UAV position hold without GPS
- Low-altitude precision hover and landing
- GPS-denied environments: warehouses, tunnels, urban canyons
- Autonomous inspection drones requiring stable low-altitude flight
Important Notes
- Optical flow sensors require a downward-facing mounting position with a clear view of the ground surface
- Best performance on textured surfaces with adequate lighting; performance degrades on featureless or reflective surfaces
- Pair with a rangefinder (e.g., Holybro ST VL53L1X) for accurate altitude data to complement optical flow position estimation
- ArduPilot: configure as CX-OF sensor type in optical flow settings
Shipping Policy
Estimated Delivery: Orders typically arrive within 3-7 business days to most locations in North America.
International Shipping: Available with tracking. Transit times vary by destination.
Return & Guarantee Policy
Return Policy: Defective or damaged item? Return it within 30 days for a full refund. Customer pays return shipping.
Technical Support: Need help with compatibility or setup? Contact our FPV experts for free assistance.
