UAV Interface / Raspberry Pi Zero 2W / UART Isolation / Power Management
DJI Matrice 4DT uAvionix Ping Interface Board
A custom embedded interface board designed to connect a DJI Matrice 4DT drone system with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and uAvionix Ping device, providing isolated UART communication, onboard power conversion, DJI authentication interface support, and industrial-grade signal isolation for UAV safety applications.
PROJECT GALLERY
Project Gallery
OVERVIEW
Overview
This project is a custom UAV interface board designed to connect a DJI Matrice 4DT drone system with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and a uAvionix Ping device. The board acts as a compact communication and power interface between the drone, Pi Zero 2W, and external Ping module.
The bottom side includes a USB-C female connector intended for connection to the DJI drone. This connection is used for UART communication between the DJI drone and the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, while also providing the input path used to power the interface board.
The board includes an industrial-grade 12–18V to 5V power stage to supply the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and related onboard circuits. It also includes a DJI authentication chip connected to the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W through I2C, allowing the Pi-side system to communicate with the authentication device as part of the drone integration architecture.
For the uAvionix Ping connection, the board includes isolated power and UART isolation circuitry. The UART isolation stage is placed between the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and the Ping module, helping protect both sides from ground noise, electrical faults, and field wiring issues. This makes the board more suitable for critical UAV applications where signal reliability and electrical robustness matter.
The purpose of this board is to allow a uAvionix Ping device to pass aircraft positioning data to DJI drone systems for enhanced situational awareness and safety in critical UAV operations.
KEY FEATURES
Key Features
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Target Platform | DJI Matrice 4DT |
|---|---|
| Companion Computer | Raspberry Pi Zero 2W |
| External Module | uAvionix Ping device |
| Drone Link | USB-C female connector for DJI-side UART communication |
| Auth Interface | DJI authentication chip connected to Raspberry Pi Zero 2W over I2C |
| Input Range | 12–18V input power path |
|---|---|
| Regulated Rail | 5V output rail for Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and onboard circuitry |
| Power Stage | Industrial-grade buck conversion section |
| Power Target | Stable Pi Zero 2W operation and interface circuit supply |
| Layout Focus | Power-stage separation, local filtering, and clean 5V distribution |
| Isolated Link | UART isolation between Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and uAvionix Ping module |
|---|---|
| Isolated Power | Dedicated isolated power section for Ping-side communication domain |
| Purpose | Improve field robustness and reduce risk from ground noise or wiring faults |
| Signal Type | Serial UART communication |
| Application Focus | Reliable aircraft positioning data transfer into the DJI-side system |
| Board Style | Raspberry Pi Zero 2W carrier-style UAV interface PCB |
|---|---|
| Main Header | 40-pin Raspberry Pi Zero 2W header |
| Main Connectors | USB-C female connector and JST-style external module connectors |
| Mounting | Multiple plated mounting holes for UAV accessory integration |
| Design Focus | Compact layout, connector access, power conversion, isolated UART routing, and drone system integration |
| PCB Size | 77 mm x 42 mm |
|---|---|
| Layer Count | 2-layer PCB |
| Copper Weight | 1 oz copper |
| Board Type | Compact |
| Layout Focus | Small footprint, protected power routing, JST output access, and production-friendly assembly |
TEST RESULTS
Test Results
| Test Area | Validation Method | Status | Result / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2W interface validation | Connect Raspberry Pi Zero 2W through the 40-pin header and verify power availability, interface alignment, and communication readiness. | Verified | The Raspberry Pi Zero 2W interface was tested as part of the complete client system and confirmed working. |
| DJI Matrice 4DT USB-C interface validation | Connect the board to the DJI Matrice 4DT through the bottom-side USB-C connector and verify the DJI-side communication path. | Verified | The USB-C drone connection was tested by the client and confirmed functional. |
| UART communication validation | Verify UART communication between the DJI drone system and Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. | Verified | The board successfully supports UART communication between the DJI drone and the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. |
| 12–18V to 5V power validation | Power the board from the drone-side input path and verify stable 5V output for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and onboard circuits. | Verified | The onboard industrial-grade 12–18V to 5V power section was tested and confirmed working. |
| DJI authentication interface validation | Verify the DJI authentication chip connection to Raspberry Pi Zero 2W through the I2C interface. | Verified | The DJI authentication chip interface was included in the tested system and confirmed functional by the client. |
| UART isolation validation | Verify isolated UART communication between Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and the uAvionix Ping-side interface. | Verified | The isolated UART path between the Pi Zero 2W and Ping module side was tested and confirmed working. |
| Isolated power validation | Verify isolated power delivery for the Ping-side communication domain. | Verified | The isolated power solution was tested as part of the complete hardware system and confirmed functional. |
| uAvionix Ping data transfer validation | Connect the uAvionix Ping device and verify that aircraft positioning data can pass through the board toward the DJI drone system. | Verified | The board allows the uAvionix Ping device to pass aircraft positioning data to the DJI drone system as intended. |
| Client functional confirmation | Client tested the assembled board in the target integration setup. | Verified | The board was tested by the client and confirmed to be working perfectly in the intended DJI Matrice 4DT integration. |
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables
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