Skynode N embedded mission computer

Skynode N is an embedded mission computer from Auterion that pairs an NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX system-on-module with an integrated Pixhawk FMUv6X flight controller. It is built as an AI compute and avionics platform for autonomous vehicles that must run perception and sensor-processing workloads on board, and it runs the AuterionOS operating system.

The unit is intended for autonomous systems across air, land and maritime vehicles. By placing the flight controller and the companion computer in one assembly, it removes the need to wire a separate autopilot to a separate vision computer. Typical missions are those where the vehicle has to interpret camera and sensor data itself: computer vision, perception, sensor fusion and other onboard autonomy functions that cannot depend on a ground link.

The compute figures define how much processing headroom an integrator has. The Jetson Orin NX carries an Ampere GPU with 1024 CUDA cores and Tensor acceleration, which is the part that runs neural-network inference for detection, tracking or mapping. Memory is 16 GB of LPDDR5, shared by the application workloads, and storage is NVMe over PCIe, which suits logging of high-rate sensor data and large model files. Hardware acceleration for H.265, H.264 and AV1 video encoding and decoding lets the computer compress or decode camera streams without loading the CPU cores.

Connectivity covers the sensors and payloads a perception stack normally needs. Camera inputs support MIPI CSI and GMSL configurations, with two MIPI CSI ports served by an image processing unit. Networking is provided by dual Gigabit Ethernet for payload and radio connectivity. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C handle high-speed peripherals. For the flight-control side there are 6 PWM outputs for motors or servos, plus CAN, TELEM, SPI and I2C interfaces for avionics and payload systems, and dual GPS support with safety switch integration.

For integration, the flight controller follows the Pixhawk FMUv6X standard and the operating system is AuterionOS, so the platform fits into Auterion's autonomy software ecosystem. Engineers should map their camera count and type, radio and payload network layout, and actuator outputs against the interface list before selecting this module, and request the full product sheet for connector and power details.

Typical applications include autonomous aircraft that need onboard obstacle detection or target recognition, uncrewed ground and maritime vehicles with camera-based navigation, and multi-sensor platforms where fusion and flight control must stay tightly coupled in a single avionics unit.