AM32-MultiRotor-ESC-FW
Open-source firmware for STM32 ARM-based brushless motor speed controllers (ESCs) supporting DSHOT, telemetry, and multiple vehicle types.
What is AM32-MultiRotor-ESC-FW?
AM32 is an open-source firmware for STM32 ARM-based electronic speed controllers (ESCs) that manage brushless motors in RC vehicles like drones and crawlers. It provides precise motor control with features like DSHOT protocol support, telemetry, and smooth startups. The firmware is designed to be safe, fast, and compatible with various hardware and vehicle types.
RC vehicle enthusiasts, drone builders, and hardware developers working with brushless motor control systems who need customizable and high-performance ESC firmware.
Developers choose AM32 for its open-source flexibility, support for multiple motor protocols and telemetry, and smooth performance across diverse applications, from multirotors to crawlers, without vendor lock-in.
Overview
AM32 is an open-source firmware designed for STM32 ARM processors to control brushless motors (BLDC) in electronic speed controllers (ESCs). It provides safe, fast, and smooth motor control with linear throttle response, suitable for multirotor drones, crawlers, and other RC vehicles when paired with a flight controller.
Key Features
- Firmware Upgradability — Supports updates via Betaflight passthrough, single-wire serial, or Arduino.
- Motor Protocol Support — Compatible with Servo PWM, DSHOT (300, 600), and bi-directional DSHOT.
- Telemetry — Implements KISS standard ESC telemetry for real-time data feedback.
- Variable PWM Frequency — Adjustable pulse-width modulation frequency for optimized motor control.
- Sinusoidal Startup Mode — Designed to smoothly start larger motors and reduce cogging.
Philosophy
AM32 emphasizes safety, performance, and versatility, aiming to deliver reliable and efficient motor control across diverse hardware platforms and vehicle applications.
Use Cases
Best For
- Building custom ESCs for multirotor drones with DSHOT and telemetry support
- Retrofitting existing ESCs with open-source firmware for enhanced control
- Developing crawler or ground vehicle motor controllers with smooth startups
- Experimenting with ARM-based motor control algorithms in hobbyist projects
- Integrating ESC telemetry data into flight controller systems
- Creating high-performance RC vehicle setups with bi-directional DSHOT
Not Ideal For
- Commercial products requiring certified, vendor-supported firmware with minimal setup
- Projects using non-ARM or unsupported microcontrollers like AVR or CKS32F051
- Hobbyists seeking plug-and-play ESC solutions without hardware programming steps
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports multiple flashing methods including Betaflight passthrough, single-wire serial, and Arduino, as highlighted in the features list for easy upgrades.
Compatible with Servo PWM, DSHOT 300/600, and bi-directional DSHOT, enabling advanced motor control for diverse RC applications like drones and crawlers.
Implements KISS standard ESC telemetry for real-time data feedback, facilitating integration with flight controllers for enhanced monitoring.
Supports a range of STM32 and compatible MCUs like GD32E230 and AT32F415, though CKS32F051 is not recommended due to issues, as per the hardware list.
Cons
Requires bootloader installation via specialized programmers like ST-LINK or GD-LINK before main firmware flashing, adding extra hardware and steps compared to out-of-the-box solutions.
Only works with specific ARM processors, excluding other microcontroller families, which restricts hardware choices and may require board modifications.
Relies on specific configurators and tools like Keil for building, and the README notes dependency on web or desktop tools for configuration, increasing the learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
BLheli_SBLHeli for brushless ESC firmware
BlueJay:bird: Digital ESC firmware for controlling brushless motors in multirotors
ESC ConfiguratorA Web-App to flash your BLHeli_S and AM32 based ESCs from the browser using the Web-Serial API.
MESC FOC ESCMESC, Molony ESC, STM32F303 based FOC+BLDC ready, HALL, Encoder, Sensorless, single sides, 2 layer, ~90A @48V
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