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COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
FOR ADVANCED DRONE DESIGN

Semiconductor solutions for power, sensing, vision, and connectivity.

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Sub Navigation - Gimbal

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Intro - LC

Gimbal Systems: Steady Images. Precise Control. Every Flight.

onsemi delivers the semiconductors behind stabilized 3-axis gimbals - motor drive, position sensing, low-noise power, and connectivity - so payload cameras capture shake-free video and stills in the most dynamic flight conditions.

What a Drone Gimbal Has to Do

The gimbal is a stabilized platform for imaging, transport, and data capture. Three-axis BLDC motor control across yaw, pitch, and roll holds precise orientation, while IMU sensors - gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer - and encoders keep position accurate frame to frame. The result is high-quality FPV and payload imagery from a platform that never stops moving.

Payloads vary as widely as missions do, the same platform must carry visible, infrared, thermal, telephoto, and LiDAR-based cameras - each with its own power, noise, and control demands.

Design Challenges onsemi Solves

  • Stabilization accuracy - smooth, precise camera stabilization from high-resolution angular position and velocity sensing paired with compact 3-phase gate drive.
  • Image quality under load - clean, low-noise rails dedicated to the image sensor keep noise out of the picture.
  • Weight and space - compact, high-efficiency motor drive stages and integrated power modules fit a mass-constrained gimbal arm.
  • Fault resilience - electronically resettable protection guards against overcurrent and fault conditions without grounding the aircraft.
  • Data out of the payload - wired and wireless links move video, telemetry, and control between the gimbal, flight controller, and ground station.

Position & control

The NCS32100 inductive position sensor provides absolute angular position and velocity for joint control and precision pointing, working alongside the NCD83591 3-phase gate driver and NTMFS0D9N04XM for smooth, precise camera stabilization.

Motor drive power stage

Integrated modules (NXV08H300DT1, NXV10V125DT1, NXV08V080DB1) and the T10, T8, and T6 MOSFET families deliver compact, high-efficiency drive with reduced switching and conduction losses. Gate drivers including NCV51511, NCP51513, NCP81075, and FAN8811T give precise control of switching behavior.

Power & protection

NCP148, NCP137, NCP186, and NCV8114 LDOs provide clean, stable rails for sensitive electronics, while NIS3071, NIS6150, and NIS6452 eFuses deliver overcurrent and fault protection that prevents system damage and improves safety.

Image sensor power

NCP189, NCP59801, and the recently released Treo LDO - T30LMPSR131, T30LMPSR132, and T30LMPSR165 - supply low-noise power for stable image quality.

Lighting & communication

NCV78514 and NCV7685 LED drivers handle status indication and navigation lighting; RSL15, NCN26010, and NCN26000 form the data backbone for wireless and single-pair Ethernet links.

Table

Power & Communication Block Function onsemi Parts What They Enable
Voltage Regulation (LDOs) Provides clean, stable voltage rails T30LMPSR131, T30LMPSR132, and T30LMPSR165;
NCP148, NCP137, NCP186, NCV8114		 Delivers clean, low-noise rails to the gimbal’s sensitive analog and imaging electronics so supply noise never shows up in the picture.
System Protection (eFuse) Overcurrent and fault protection NIS3071, NIS6150, NIS6452 Protects the gimbal electronics from overcurrent and short-circuit events, preventing damage and keeping the aircraft safe to operate.
Motor Drive Power Stage Drives BLDC motors for propulsion NXV08H300DT1, NXV10V125DT1, NXV08V080DB1 Provides compact, high-efficiency three-phase drive that fits a mass-constrained gimbal arm while minimizing heat and power draw.
MOSFETs (Switching) High-efficiency power switching T10, T8, T6 MOSFET families Cuts conduction and switching losses in the power stage, extending flight time and lowering thermal load in a tight enclosure.
Gate Drivers Controls MOSFET switching behavior NCV51511, NCP51513, NCP81075, FAN8811T Drives the power MOSFETs cleanly and precisely at high PWM frequencies for well-controlled commutation and low switching loss.
Gimbal Position & Control Stabilization and orientation control NCS32100 (encoder), NCD83591 (driver), NTMFS0D9N04XM Holds yaw, pitch, and roll on target for smooth, precise camera stabilization and shake-free footage in dynamic flight.
Image Sensor Power Clean, low-noise power for sensors NCP189, NCP59801, T30LMPSR131, T30LMPSR132, T30LMPSR165 (Treo LDOs) Supplies the image sensor with quiet, well-regulated power for consistent image quality and low-noise operation across the mission.
Angular position and velocity sensing Inductive Position Sensing NCS32100 Gives the controller high-resolution absolute angle and velocity for accurate joint control, precision pointing, and repeatable landing.
LED Drivers LED Lighting operation NCV78514, NCV7685 Powers efficient, precisely controlled navigation, anti-collision, and status lighting for safe, visible flight in low-light conditions.
Communication Wireless and wired communication RSL15, NCN26010, NCN26000 Forms the wired and wireless data backbone that moves video, telemetry, and control between the gimbal, flight controller, and ground station.
eFuse Resettable overcurrent and fault protection NIS3071, NIS6150, NIS6452 Keeps the gimbal and payload operating through transient faults while protecting MOSFETs, sensors, and the flight controller.