https://github.com/thunderfly-aerospace/tfcab01
ThunderFly JST-GH connector cables for Pixhawk based drones
https://github.com/thunderfly-aerospace/tfcab01
bus cable can drone dronecan hardware i2c pixhawk px4 uav uavcan wiring
Last synced: 4 months ago
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ThunderFly JST-GH connector cables for Pixhawk based drones
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/thunderfly-aerospace/tfcab01
- Owner: ThunderFly-aerospace
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2023-02-10T19:31:17.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2025-02-26T23:14:49.000Z (8 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-05-22T06:13:00.195Z (5 months ago)
- Topics: bus, cable, can, drone, dronecan, hardware, i2c, pixhawk, px4, uav, uavcan, wiring
- Homepage: https://docs.thunderfly.cz/avionics/TFCAB01/
- Size: 3.46 MB
- Stars: 2
- Watchers: 5
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 1
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# TFCAB01 - ThunderFly Pixhawk compatible cabling system
TFCABxxyy01 are silicone cables for [Pixhawk](https://pixhawk.org/) based drones. The cables are equipped on both sides with JST-GH high-strength plastic clips, which feature a locking mechanism for good mechanical connection and resistance to vibrations. Cables are designed and manufactured to have increased resistance to electromagnetic interference and self cross-talk.
## Where I can buy them?
Cables can be purchased online from Thunderfly [Tindie store](https://www.tindie.com/stores/thunderfly/) or contact ThunderFly team by email info@thunderfly.cz for individual quotation. Links to individual variants can be found in the following list.
## List of ThunderFly cables
Currently, there are available cables mainly for I²C and UAVCAN busses, although [more cable variants are defined](https://docs.px4.io/main/en/assembly/cable_wiring.html). That less common variants of cables could be delivered upon request.
* TFCAB15I2C01 (I2C, 15cm), [buy it online](https://www.tindie.com/products/30113/)
* TFCAB30I2C01 (I2C, 30cm), [buy it online](https://www.tindie.com/products/30113/)
* TFCAB45I2C01 (I2C, 45cm), [buy it online](https://www.tindie.com/products/30113/)
* TFCAB15CAN01 (CAN, 15cm)
* TFCAB30CAN01 (CAN, 30cm)
* TFCAB45CAN01 (CAN, 45cm)
### Wires
* Insulation: Silicone, high temperature resistant (up to 200 °C)
* Wire outer diameter: 1mm
* Conductor: 26 AWG; 20/0.08, Sn plated Cu
* Wire ending: JST-GH
### Plastic endings
We use original JST-GH connectors from the manufacturer JST (JAPAN SOLDERLESS TERMINALS).
## Color scheme
For easy orientation in avionics cabling cables we have designed a ThunderFly color scheme. The each type of signal/cable has own color combination, which is common in all our equipment.
## I2C bus
|Signal | Pixhawk Color | ThunderFly color |
|--------|------------------|---------------------|
| +5V | Red |  Red |
| SCL | Black |  Yellow |
| SDA | Black |  Green |
| GND | Black |  Black |
#### Cable twisting
- 10 turns for each pair SCL/+5V and SDA/GND per 30cm cable length
- 4 turns of both pairs together per 30cm cable length.
## UAVCAN bus
|Signal | Pixhawk Color | ThunderFly color |
|--------|------------------|---------------------|
| +5V | Red |  Red |
| CAN_H | Black |  White |
| CAN_L | Black |  Yellow |
| GND | Black |  Black |
#### Cable twisting
- 10 turns for each pair GND/+5V and CAN_L/CAN_H per 30cm cable length
- 4 turns of both pairs together per 30cm cable length.
## UART/TELEM/SERIAL
UART is used to connect peripherals to the autopilot. By default, UART does not support networking and therefore it directly connects two devices together. It is often used to connect an autopilot and a [radio modem](https://github.com/ThunderFly-aerospace/TFSIK01). CTS and RTS are signals that are used to indicate that data is being transmitted on TX/RX pins. This hand-shake mechanism increases reliability of data transfer. CTS and RTS may remain loose when it is not used by the device.
The connecting cable is not crossed. Therefore, it is necessary to connect only the autopilot and peripherals with this straight cable. The device must cross the wiring internally by swapping RX/TX and RTS/CTS pins.
|Signal| Pixhawk Color | ThunderFly color |
|--------|------------------|---------------------|
| +5V | Red |  Red |
| TX | Black |  White |
| RX | Black |  Green |
| CTS | Black |  Blue |
| RTS | Black |  Yellow |
| GND | Black |  Black |
UART signals are common sources of low frequency EMI, therefore the length of the cable should be minimized as much as possible. Cable twisting is not applicable for UART cables due to possible increase of cross-talks.