Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor - UART Interface, 6-Pin JST GH Connector

Name: Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor - UART Interface, 6-Pin JST GH Connector
Brand: Holybro
SKU: SENS-1857
Price: 3369.00 INR
Availability: OutOfStock

₹3,369.00 (Inclusive of all taxes)

Out of Stock

The Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor is a UART-based motion tracking module designed for drone flight controllers and robotics. It provides accurate velocity and displacement data via optical flow algorithms, operating from 2.0V to 3.6V with a 19200 baud rate for seamless integration with Pixhawk, ArduPilot, and other autopilot systems.

Features

High-performance PMW3901 optical flow sensor for precise motion tracking.
UART serial interface with 19200 baud rate for direct flight controller telemetry port connection.
Ultra-compact footprint (21mm x 37mm) and lightweight 6g design for space-constrained UAVs.
Integrated BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit) for stable 2.0V-3.6V power input.
Delivers 95 FPS image flow data for enhanced navigation stability and position hold.

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Description

The Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor utilizes advanced optical flow technology to detect ground movement and estimate velocity by analyzing sequential image frames. This non-contact sensing method provides critical data for altitude-hold and position stabilization in GPS-denied environments, making it essential for indoor drones and autonomous robotic platforms.

Engineered for reliability, the module features a pre-soldered 6-pin JST GH connector for plug-and-play compatibility with standard flight controller TELEM ports. Its low-power design draws only 10mA, ensuring minimal impact on overall system power budgets while delivering real-time, low-latency motion data essential for precise autonomous navigation.

Key Features

PMW3901 optical flow chipset for accurate displacement and velocity estimation.
UART serial communication protocol with configurable 19200 baud rate.
Integrated voltage regulator (BEC) supports 2.0V to 3.6V input range.
Ultra-lightweight 6-gram construction with compact 21mm x 37mm PCB.
Pre-installed 6-pin JST GH connector for direct flight controller integration.
High frame rate processing at 95 Hz for real-time navigation feedback.
Optimized for low-light performance and surface pattern recognition.
Robust algorithm suite for enhanced spatial awareness and drift compensation.

Applications

Indoor drone navigation and position hold in GPS-denied environments.
Autonomous robotic platform odometry and ground velocity estimation.
Precision hover stabilization for multirotor and fixed-wing UAVs.
Obstacle avoidance and terrain following for robotic exploration vehicles.
Motion tracking and displacement measurement in embedded vision systems.

Technical Specifications

Model	PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor
Interface	UART
Baud Rate	19200 bps
Supply Voltage	2.0V to 3.6V DC
Operating Current	10 mA
Frame Rate	95 Hz
Connector	6-Pin JST GH (pre-soldered)
Dimensions (L x W)	37 mm x 21 mm
Weight	6 g
Cable Length	175 mm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the operating voltage range for the Holybro PMW3901 sensor?

The PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor operates from 2.0V to 3.6V DC, powered by its integrated BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit). This range makes it directly compatible with standard 3.3V logic flight controllers and robotic mainboards without requiring an external voltage regulator.

How do I connect this sensor to a flight controller like Pixhawk?

Connect the module's pre-soldered 6-pin JST GH connector directly to an available TELEM port on your flight controller. Ensure the UART serial port is configured for 19200 baud rate. The wiring typically follows standard telemetry pinouts: VCC, GND, TX, and RX for power and bidirectional data communication.

What is the frame rate and how does it affect performance?

The sensor captures optical flow data at 95 frames per second (95 Hz). This high frame rate enables low-latency motion detection, which is critical for real-time velocity estimation and position hold in dynamic flight conditions. Higher FPS improves the accuracy and responsiveness of navigation algorithms in autonomous systems.

Can this sensor be used for ground robots or only drones?

While optimized for aerial platforms, the PMW3901 is equally effective for ground-based robotics. It provides precise odometry and velocity data over textured surfaces, enabling autonomous navigation, slip detection, and dead reckoning for wheeled or tracked robots in environments where wheel encoders or GPS are insufficient.

Does the sensor require any specific surface or lighting conditions?

For optimal performance, the sensor requires a textured surface with sufficient visual contrast. It operates best under consistent ambient lighting, though the PMW3901 chipset includes algorithms for low-light adaptation. Avoid perfectly uniform, reflective, or transparent surfaces, as they can degrade optical flow tracking accuracy.