Product overview
The Holybro PMW3901 Optical Flow Sensor is a sensor component for integration with a flight controller. Its ArduPilot configuration requires FLOW_TYPE to be set to 4 and SERIALx_PROTOCOL to 18 for the selected serial port. The setup example uses Telemetry 2. After configuration, the operational check is to move the sensor and inspect the opt-related values in the status tab; non-zero values during movement indicate that readings are being received.
PX4 integration requires enabling SENS_EN_PMW3901 and assigning SENS_TFLOW_CFG to the port connected to the sensor. The flight controller must then be rebooted or power cycled to save those settings. Once configured, sensor readings can be inspected in the OPTICAL_FLOW_RAD section of MAVLink Inspector. These configuration steps make the selected controller port and firmware settings practical integration requirements for deploying the PMW3901 with either of the two supported setup workflows.
Specifications
| Specification | Value & conditions |
|---|---|
| Interface | UARTFor the PMW3901 module. |
| Flight controller connection | Pre-soldered 6-pin JST GH connectorIntended for direct connection to TELEM ports on most flight controllers; universal compatibility is not stated. |
| ArduPilot optical flow setting | FLOW_TYPE = 4When configuring the Holybro PMW3901 optical flow sensor in ArduPilot. |
| ArduPilot serial protocol setting | SERIALx_PROTOCOL = 18For the serial port used by the Holybro PMW3901 optical flow sensor in ArduPilot. |
| Example telemetry port | Telemetry 2In the ArduPilot setup example. |
| ArduPilot reading check | Check for non-zero opt-related values in the status tabAfter correct sensor configuration in ArduPilot, while moving the sensor. |
| PX4 sensor enable setting | Enable SENS_EN_PMW3901When configuring the Holybro PMW3901 optical flow sensor in PX4. |
| PX4 port assignment | Set SENS_TFLOW_CFG to the corresponding connected portFor the port connected to the sensor in PX4. |
| PX4 settings persistence | Reboot or power cycle the flight controllerAfter changing the PX4 sensor settings. |
| PX4 reading inspection | Inspect sensor readings in MAVLink Inspector → OPTICAL_FLOW_RADAfter correct sensor configuration in PX4. |
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