ModalAI Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
ModalAI’s Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) are high-performing, closed-loop speed controllers that use a digital interface (UART, i2c in future).
Brief Overview
Brushless Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) are devices that consist of hardware and software for controlling three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motors. ESCs communicate with the flight controller, which instructs the ESCs how fast the motor should spin.
ModalAI’s ESCs implement the following advanced features:
- Full integration with ModalAI VOXL and Flight Core PCBs
- Bi-directional UART communication with checksum; status and fault monitoring
- Real-time status and health reporting at high update rate (100Hz+ each)
- Closed-loop RPM control for best flight performance
- LED control from flight controller via UART
Feature Comparison
 |
| Feature | ModalAI 4-in-1 ESC (M0049-1) | ModalAI 4-in-1 ESC (M0117-1) | ModalAI 4-in-1 ESC (M0117-3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 5.5V-16.8V (2-4S Lipo) | 5.5V-16.8V (2-4S Lipo) | 5.5V-16.8V (2-4S Lipo) |
| Aux Power Output | 2x 4.5V (adjustable) 600mA | 2x 4.5V (adjustable) 600mA | 2x 4.5V (adjustable) 600mA |
| Max Continuous Current Per Motor | 20A (thermally limited) | 20A (thermally limited) | 20A (thermally limited) |
| Max Burst Current Per Motor | 40-50A (requires airflow and heat-spreader) | 40-50A (requires airflow and heat-spreader) | 40-50A (requires airflow and heat-spreader) |
| MCU | STM32F051K86 | STM32F051C6U6 | STM32F051C6U6 |
| MOSFET Driver | MP6530 | MP6530 | MP6531A |
| MOSFETs | AON7528 (N) | AON7528 (N) | AON7528 (N) |
| Individual Current Sensing | 4x 2mOhm + INA186 | 4x 2mOhm + INA186 | 4x 2mOhm + INA186 |
| ESD signal protection | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Temperature Sensing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| On-board Status LEDs | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| External LEDs | Neopixel LEDs | Neopixel LEDs | Neopixel LEDs |
| Secure Bootloader | Yes (AES256) | Yes (AES256) | Yes (AES256) |
| PWM Switching Frequency | 48, 24 Khz | 48, 24 Khz | 48, 24 Khz |
| Maximum RPM (6 pole pairs) | 50K+ | 50K+ | 50K+ |
| PWM control input | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Active Freewheeling | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Disable Regenerative Braking | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tone Generation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Closed-loop RPM Control | Yes (10Khz) | Yes (10Khz) | Yes (10Khz) |
| Number of UART ports | 2 (2Mbit+) | 2 (2Mbit+) | 2 (2Mbit+) |
| modal_io UART Protocol | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Weight without wires (g) | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Board Dimensions (mm) | 40.5 x 40.5 | 40.5 x 40.5 | 40.5 x 40.5 |
| Mounting Hole Size, Pattern (mm) | 3.05, 31.0 x 33.0 | 3.05, 31.0 x 33.0 | 3.05, 31.0 x 33.0 |