ARK Electronics has announced the launch of the ARK Jetson PAB V3, the latest generation of its Pixhawk Autopilot Bus (PAB) carrier board designed to simplify the integration of high-performance edge computing and advanced flight control systems for autonomous platforms.
Based on the open-source Pixhawk Autopilot Bus specification and NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and Orin Nano computing modules, the ARK Jetson PAB V3 provides a compact, swap-optimized architecture that enables seamless connectivity between AI processing hardware and PAB-compliant flight controllers.
Designed for next-generation autonomous vehicles, the carrier board allows developers and system integrators to combine NVIDIA’s powerful edge AI computing capabilities with any compatible Pixhawk Autopilot Bus flight controller, including ARK Electronics’ ARKV6X and ARKV6S flight controller series. The standardized PAB form factor supports modular system design and simplifies upgrades, maintenance, and component replacement.
A key enhancement of the Jetson PAB V3 is its integrated 10/100 Ethernet switch, which delivers native low-latency Ethernet communication between the Jetson computing module and the flight controller while also providing external Ethernet connectivity. This architecture enables faster data transfer and more efficient communication between onboard autonomy software, AI workloads, and flight-critical systems.
The platform is intended for a broad range of autonomous and unmanned applications that require advanced onboard processing, including Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), robotics platforms, autonomous ground vehicles, and edge AI systems. By combining high-performance computing with a modular flight control interface, the solution supports demanding autonomy functions such as computer vision, object detection, navigation, sensor fusion, and real-time decision-making.
Manufactured in the United States, the ARK Jetson PAB V3 is fully NDAA compliant, making it suitable for government, defense, and commercial programs requiring trusted supply chains and regulatory compliance.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the carrier board maintains a compact and lightweight design. Measuring 13.23 x 6.12 x 1.93 cm and weighing just 66g, it is optimized for size- and weight-sensitive autonomous platforms. The board utilizes JST-GH connectivity and supports the Pixhawk Payload Bus ecosystem, enabling straightforward integration with compatible avionics and payload systems.
The ARK Jetson PAB V3 requires a 5V power supply with a minimum current capability of 4A, with overall power consumption dependent on the selected Jetson module, system configuration, and connected peripherals.
By leveraging the open-source Pixhawk ecosystem and NVIDIA’s industry-leading edge AI technology, the ARK Jetson PAB V3 provides developers with a powerful, flexible, and scalable platform for building the next generation of intelligent autonomous systems.
