GEOSCAN Pioneer Mini Educational Quadcopter User Guide

PIONEER MINI
Quick Start Guide
v. 2.3

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Pioneer Mini drone kit!
This kit was created as a first step into the world of autonomous drone flights and a perfect solution for learning the basics of programming and piloting. The assembled drone allows to perform flights in manual mode as well as using flight scripts with positioning control by drone sensors.

We always work to make Pioneer drones better and add new features. Check our website to get information about the latest news and updates.
https://www.geoscan.aero/en/products/pioneer/

Safety Measures

• Carefully check a drone for damages before every flight.
• Check the right position of the battery connector before connecting it.
• Disconnect the battery connector from the main board after flights.
• Do not disassemble or deform the batteries (don’t drop and pierce).
• Store the batteries in a dry cool place without direct sunlight.
• Rotated propellers are dangerous. Do not touch them, when power is on.
• Avoid flights near people, animals, aircraft, and other objects.
• The route, altitude, and flight distance should comply with local laws and restrictions.
• Take into account the right to respect for private and family life, when you take photos and videos by drone.

Drone Components

1. Propeller guards
2. Brushed motors
3. Battery
4. Optical flow sensor
5. 2 MP camera
6. MicroSD card slot
7. Propellers
8. MicroUSB port
9. Connector for extension modules

Specifications

Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . quadcopter
Flight time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 10 min
Flight speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 20 km/h
Drone weight . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 g
Max takeoff weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 g
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 × 140 × 38 mm
Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8520 brushed motors
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LiPo 1S 3.7 V
Flight distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 50 m
Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 mm
Camera . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 MP
Operating temperature range . . . . . .  . . . . . . . from 0 to + 40 °С
Supported microSD card capacity (card is not included) . . . . . . . up to 16 Gb

Specifications, design and included components of drone kit can be changed by the manufacturer without prior notice.

In The Box

1. CW propeller (3 pcs.)
2. CCW propeller (3 pcs.)
3. CW motor (2 pcs.)
4. CCW motor (2 pcs.)
5. Propeller guard (4 pcs.)
6. Main board
7. MicroUSB cable
8. Frame
9. Top cover
10. M1,2×5 screws (4 pcs.)
11. Rubber acoustic band
12. Battery
13. Rubber landing dots (4 pcs.)
14. Micro screwdriver

Optional accessories:

• Multicharger
• BT/WIFI remote controller

Drone Assembly

The section describes how to assemble Pioneer Mini drone. Prepare a comfortable place for drone assembly.
The kit includes small parts, so make sure that you won’t lose them during assembly.

Step 1
Required parts: the frame, CW motor – 2 pcs., CCW motor – 2 pcs.
Carefully put 4 motors in slots of drone arms as shown in the pictures.
Follow wires positioning pictures to place the motors and their wires in the right slots.
Do not pinch the wires during installation.

Step 2
Required parts: the frame, CW motor – 2 pcs., CCW motor – 2 pcs. The wires should be placed in special grooves under each arm.
Do not use sharp items to place them!

Do not forget to remove protective stickers from the optical flow sensor, rangefinder, and camera.

Step 3
Required parts: the result of step 2, the main board with the pre-installed camera module.
Place the main board on the drone frame.
Attach 4 connectors of motors (2 on each side) to main board ports.

Be careful during the installation of the main board. Take care to avoid damage of board components. Do not allow contact with water.

Step 4
Required parts: the result of step 3, M1.2×5 screws —4 pcs., top cover, rubber landing dots — 4 pcs., rubber acoustic band. Place rubber acoustic band under the top cover and attach it to the result of step 3. Mount the cover by M1.2×5 screws as shown in the picture. Do not forget to place a rubber acoustic band. Insert it easily from the bottom side of the top cover. Insert rubber landing dots in slots of drone arms as shown in the picture. Dots and arms should be matched as shown in the picture.

Step 5
Required parts: the result of step 4, the battery. Carefully insert the battery into the battery slot. Connect the connector of the battery to the slot of the main board.
Please note that the connector has supports for the right positioning.

Step 6
Required parts: the result of step 5, CW propeller – 2 pcs., CCW propeller – 2 pcs.
Attach the propellers to motor shafts and lock them by rotation in directions as shown in the picture.
Also, you can check the right lock directions by arrows directly on the propellers.

Step 7
Required parts: the result of step 6, propeller guard – 4 pcs.
Lock 4 propeller guards on drone arms as shown in the picture.
Check that they are securely locked.

Step 8
Required parts: assembled drone, microSD card.
Insert microSD card in microSD slot. Do not use excessive force when inserting or removing the memory card.
The capacity of microSD should not exceed 16 GB in the FAT32 file system.

Battery Charging

Use a micro USB cable from the drone kit and the micro USB slot of the main board to charge a drone battery.
If you have a multi-charger (not included in the standard kit), you can charge up to 4 batteries.
Charging via micro USB
The main way of charging.
Insert the battery into the drone slot and connect it to the main board. Take a micro USB cable from the drone kit and connect it to the USB port of the PC or USB charger. Plug the micro-USB connector of the cable in the MicroUSB slot of the drone.

Charge voltage via USB – 5 V.
Recommended charge current – no more than 2 A.

Multicharger Setup
Connect a multi-charger to a USB charger or PC without connected batteries!
If a multi-charger works normally, 4 LEDs on the charger should turn green and lights up one by one.
Make sure that the charging voltage is 4.2 V. You can check it by comparing the direction of the LED lights up and the arrow on the multi-charger. If it’s not the same, press and
holds for 3 seconds the button on the backside of the charger.

Make sure that the charger LEDs light up in a 4.2 V direction before connecting the batteries!

Charging via Multicharger
Carefully attach each connector of the battery to the individual charge connector of the multi-charger. Each battery connector has plastic support elements for the right positioning.
You can charge up to 4 attached batteries. Flashing of green charging channel LED on charger body means charging process. When the battery is fully charged, a channel LED will light up green.

Charge voltage — 5 V.
Charge сurrent – no more than 2 A.

Before Flight

Carefully follow local laws and regulations for airspace use and photo/video recording in areas where you are using a drone.
Do not fly near people and animals.
Always keep an eye on the direction of drone flight.
Do not fly near power lines, cell phone towers, railroads, roadways or in crowded areas.
Carefully check drone parts for damages before each flight. If part damage is detected, repair it with replacement parts. Do not fly if a damage cannot be repaired.

Flight control equipment (phone or remote controller) should always be turned on BEFORE drone power to avoid uncontrolled actions of the drone. Turn off flight control equipment only AFTER the drone turns off.

Flight Control

Manual control of drones is provided by the Geoscan Jump app for Android or IOS. Download the latest app version from Google Play, HUAWEI AppGallery or Apple App Store before starting.
This quick start guide covers the basic flight control elements only. Please follow in-app tips to use programming blocks and other features.

| |
---|---|---
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.malinowski.quadro| https://appgallery.huawei.ru/app/C105993801?source=qrCodeShare| https://apps.apple.com/ru/app/geoscan-jump/id1563290338

Follow these steps to connect the Pioneer Mini drone to your smartphone via Wi-Fi:

1. Download the Geoscan Jump app.
2. Turn the drone power on by pushing on power button on the side of the top cover. The drone status LED will light up.
3. Connect your phone to a drone Wi-Fi hotspot (hotspot name: Pioneer_mini_xxx; password: 12345678).
4. Launch the Geoscan Jump app.
5. Press the START button to launch motors.
6. Use flight control sticks to control drone flight and landing.
7. Press the STOP button to stop motors.

Features

Use all drone systems and sensors for programming, learning, and flying in autonomous mode.
Pioneer Mini drones can be controlled by flight scripts. You can program a drone’s flight using programming blocks directly in the Geoscan Jump mobile app or with Pioneer Station, TRIK Studio, Arduino IDE, and other compatible software. The positioning of the drone in the airspace is provided by data from sensors and systems installed on board.
Pioneer Mini drone is equipped with the following equipment:

1. Optical flow sensor
   The sensor for controlling a drone’s position in airspace by visual tracking the drone’s movements relative to objects around. This allows the drone to hold its position in airspace and fly in automatic mode without using additional navigation systems and ground equipment.

2. Photo/videocamera
   2 MP camera with video streaming function via Wi-Fi.

3. Indoor positioning system with infrared and ultrasonic sensors
   Sensors for local flight navigation by infrared and ultrasonic signals from beacons. The system uses data from beacons to determine the position, speed, and flight direction of drones in the airspace.

4. ESP-32
   Microcontroller unit for advanced programming tasks.

5. Changeable modules
   Connector for extension modules.

6. Rangefinder sensor
   Additional positioning control.

7. Barometric pressure sensor
   Real-time information about the drone’s flight altitude.

8. Current and voltage sensor
   Real-time information about the state of the battery.

9. Inertial measurement unit (IMU)
   The unit includes a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis acceleration sensor.

Community

Join the Pioneer community!
Stay tuned to get the latest news and updates. Share your stories and ask questions.
Get tips and answers directly from developers.
Help us to make Pioneer drones even better by leaving your feedback and comments.

Pioneer Mini page on Geoscan website:
https://www.geoscan.aero/en/products/pioneer/mini

info@geoscan.aero
support@geoscan.aero
www.geoscan.aero

References

• GeoScan Unmanned aerial systems for professionals Geoscan manufacturer of drones in Russia
• Geoscan Pioneer | GeoScan
• Geoscan Pioneer Mini | GeoScan

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>