81-08 G2 integrated motor and ESC propulsion module

The 81-08 G2 Module from Vertiq is an integrated motor and ESC propulsion module for commercial and defense unmanned aircraft. It joins an 81-08 size brushless motor, a 60 A continuous ESC rated for up to 14S and a position sensor in a single unit, so no separate speed controller is needed.

The datasheet variant with 85 Kv, designated VERT-M28.1-E16.1, is meant mainly for driving propeller loads. Because the position sensor allows sensored control, it operates at any speed from -4900 to 4900 RPM, is fully reversible with no delay when crossing zero, and has no minimum speed. The control stack offers a velocity controller with tunable PID gains and second-order feed forward, a voltage controller that compensates for falling battery voltage, and a raw PWM controller. Regenerative and active braking, active freewheeling and propeller positioning are supported. An optional multi-turn angle firmware adds a position controller. Other Kv options of 140 and 240 are available.

Key figures for the 85 Kv module: a speed constant of 85 RPM per volt, torque constant of 0.112 N m per ampere, motor resistance of 0.202 ohm, pulsed current of 50 A for 100 ms, and a no-load current of 0.4 A at 15 V. The base module weighs 292 g and the default configuration 313 g. The base module measures 87.1 mm in diameter and 26.0 mm in height. Recommended supply voltage is 12 V to 60 V, or 4S to 14S cells, with an ambient range of -20 degrees C to 50 degrees C.

Integration is through DroneCAN, DShot, 1-2 ms PWM, Oneshot, Multishot and a UART serial interface with access to control parameters. Default modules ship with a connector board with pads for power, CAN, serial and three general-purpose I/O lines. The module can also be ordered without a stator cover and connector board, so a customer can design its own connector board, with wires routed horizontally or vertically. Ingress protection up to IP56 is achievable with a matching design of connectors and wires. Mounting uses M4 and M3 threaded holes. Protection functions cover over-current, over-voltage, over-speed and over-temperature, with motor health monitoring, telemetry and a safe arming procedure.

Typical applications are multirotor and VTOL propulsion, drone propulsion in general, and robotics, in particular where fast, precise thrust control is needed.