Dji Phantom 3 advanced Instruction manual

PHANTOM 3

ADVANCED

User Manual

2015.04

V1.0

Using this manual

Legends

Warning Important Hints and Tips Reference

Read Before the First Flight

Read the following documents before using the Phantom 3 Advanced:

1. In the Box

2. Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

3. Phantom 3 Advanced Quick Start Guide

4. Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Safety Guidelines and Disclaimer

5. Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines

We recommend that you watch all tutorial videos on the official DJI website and read the Disclaimer

before you y. Prepare for your rst ight by reviewing the Phantom 3 Advanced Quick Start Guide and

refer to the User Manual for more detailed information.

Video Tutorials

Please watch the tutorial videos at the link below, which demonstrates how to use Phantom 3 Professional safely:

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3/video

Download the DJI Pilot app

Download and install the DJI Pilot app before using the aircraft. Scan the QR code to the right to download the latest version.

The Android version of the DJI Pilot app is compatible with Android 4.1.2 or later. The iOS version of the DJI Pilot app is compatible with iOS 8.0 or later.

Contents

Using this manual

Legends 2

Read Before the First Flight 2

Video Tutorials 2

Download the DJI Pilot app 2

Product Prole

Introduction 6

Feature Highlights 6

Preparing the Aircraft 7

Aircraft Diagram 8

Remote Controller Diagram 8

Aircraft

Flight Controller 11

Flight Mode 11

Flight Status Indicator 11

Return-to-Home (RTH) 12

Smart RTH 12

Low Battery RTH 13

Failsafe RTH 14

Vision Positioning System 14

Flight Recorder 16

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 16

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery 17

Remote Controller

 RemoteControllerProle 23

Using the Remote Controller 23

Remote Controller Status LED 27

Linking the Remote Controller 28

Remote Controller Compliance Version 29

Camera and Gimbal

 CameraProle 31

Gimbal 32

DJI Pilot App

Camera 35

Director 38

Store 38

Discovery 38

Flight

Flight Environment Requirements 40

Flight Limits and No-Fly Zones 40

 PreightChecklist 44

Calibrating the Compass 44

Auto Takeoff and Auto Landing 45

Flight Test 46

Starting/Stopping the Motors 46

Troubleshooting (FAQ)

Appendix

 Specications 53

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) 55

FCC Compliance 56

Product Prole

This section introduces the Phantom 3 Advanced and lists the components of the aircraft and remote controller.

Product Prole

Introduction

The Phantom 3 Advanced represents the next generation of DJI quadcopters. It is capable of capturing 1080p video and transmitting an HD video signal out of the box. The built-in camera has an integrated gimbal to maximize stability while minimizing both weight and size. Even when no GPS signal is available, the Vision Positioning System allows the aircraft to hover accurately in place.

Feature Highlights

Product Profile

Camera and Gimbal: Phantom 3 Advanced has a fully integrated camera that shoots 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second and captures 12 megapixel photos. An enhanced sensor gives you greater clarity,

lower noise, and better pictures than any previous ying camera.

HD Video Downlink: The low-latency long range HD downlink is powered by an enhanced version of DJI Lightbridge.

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery: The 4480 mAh DJI Intelligent Flight Battery features upgraded battery cells and an advanced power management system.

Flight Controller: The next-generation ight controller has been updated to provide a safer, more reliable ight experience. A newly implemented ight recorder stores critical data from each ight and the Vision Positioning System enhances hovering precision when ying indoors or in environments where GPS is

unavailable.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Preparing the Aircraft

Removing Gimbal Clamp

Remove the gimbal clamp by sliding it to the right (when facing the nose of the aircraft), as shown below.

Attaching the Propellers:

Mount the propellers with black dots on to motors with black axes and spin counter-clockwise to secure. Mount the propellers with sliver dots on to motors with sliver axes and spin clockwise to secure. Be sure all propellers are securely in place.

Product Profile

Place all propellers onto the correct motors and tighten by hand to lock them in position.

Preparing the Remote Controller: The mobile device holder is designed for securing tablet or mobile device. Tilt the mobile device holder to the desired position, then adjust the antennas so they are facing outward.

1. Press the button on the top right side of the mobile device holder to release the clamp, then adjust the

clamp to t the size of your mobile device.

2. Secure your mobile device in the clamp by pressing down, and connect your mobile device to the remote controller using a USB cable.

3. Plug one end of the cable into the mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of the remote controller.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Aircraft Diagram

[7]

[6]

Product Profile

[11]

[1]

[2] [3]

[4]

[1] GPS

[2] Propeller

[3] Motor

[5]

[4] Front LED Indicator

[5] Landing gear

[8] [9]

[10]

[6] Gimbal and Camera

[7] Aircraft Micro-USB Port

[8] Aircraft Status Indicator

[9] Intelligent Flight Battery

[10] Vision Positioning Sensors

[11] Antennas

[12]

[12] Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

[13] Camera Micro-USB Port

[14] Link Button

[14]

Remote Controller Diagram

[8] [7]

[6]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[13]

[1] Antennas

Relays aircraft control and video signal.

[2] Mobile Device Holder

Securely mounts your mobile device to the remote controller.

[3] Control Stick

Controls the orientation and movement of the aircraft.

[4] Return Home (RTH) Button

Press and hold the button to initiate Return to Home (RTH).

[5] Battery Level LEDs

Displays the battery level of the remote controller.

[6] Status LED

Displays the remote controller's system status.

[7] Power Button

Used to turn the remote controller on and off.

[8] RTH LED

Circular LED around the RTH button displays RTH status.

[9] Camera Settings Dial

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings. (Only functions when the remote controller is connected to a mobile device running the DJI Pilot app. )

[10] Playback Button

Playback the captured images or videos. (Only functions when the remote controller is connected to a mobile device running the DJI Pilot app.)

[11] Shutter Button

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is selected, the set number of photos will be taken with one press.

[12] Flight Mode Switch

Switch between P-mode, A-mode, and F-mode.

[13] Video Recording Button

Press to start recording video. Press again to stop recording.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

[15] [16]

[14]

[13]

[12]

[14] Gimbal Dial

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal.

[15] Mircro-USB Port

Connect to a SD card reader to upgrade the

rmware.

[16] USB Port

Connect to mobile device or to a USB port for

rmware upgrade.

Product Profile

[9] [10]

[11]

[17] C1 Button

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app.

[18] C2 Button

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app.

[19] Power Port

Connect to the DJI Phantom 3 Charger to charge the battery of the remote controller.

[18]

[19]

[17]

Aircraft

This section introduces the features of the Flight Controller, Vision Positioning System, and the Intelligent Flight Battery

Aircraft

Flight Controller

The Phantom 3 Advanced’s ight controller features several important upgrades, including a new ight

mode. Safety modes include Failsafe and Return-to-Home. These features ensure the safe return of your

aircraft if the control signal is lost. The ight controller can also save critical ight data from each ight to the on-board storage device. The new ight controller also provides increased stability and a new air

braking feature.

Flight Mode

Three ight modes are available. The details of each ight mode are found below:

P-mode (Positioning) : P-mode works best when GPS signal is strong. There are three different states of P-mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 Advanced depending on signal strength of GPS and Vision Positioning sensors :

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available. The aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal strength is not sufcient. The aircraft is

using only the Vision Positioning System for positioning.

P-ATTI: Neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available. The aircraft is using only its barometer for

positioning, so only altitude can be stabilized. A-mode (Attitude): GPS and Vision Positioning System are not used for stabilization. The aircraft only uses its barometer. The aircraft can still automatically return to the home point if the control signal is lost and the Home Point was recorded successfully. F-mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information about IOC, refer to the IOC section in the Appendix.

Use the Flight Controller mode switch to change the ight mode of the aircraft, refer to the “Flight Mode Switch” on Page 26 for more information.

Flight Status Indicator

The Phantom 3 Advanced has Front LEDs and Aircraft Status Indicators. The positions of these LEDs are

shown in the gure below:

Aircraft Status Indicator

Aircraft

Front LED

The Front LEDs show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LEDs glow solid red when the aircraft is turned on to indicate the front (or nose) of the aircraft. The Aircraft Status Indicators communicate the

system status of the ight controller. Refer to the table below for more information about the Aircraft Status

Indicators:

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Aircraft Status Indicator Description

Normal

Red, Green and Yellow Flash

Alternatively

Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively Warming Up

Green Flashes Slowly

Aircraft

X2 Green Flashes Twice

Yellow Flashes Slowly

Warning

Fast Yellow Flashing Remote Controller's Signal Lost

Slow Red Flashing Low Battery Warning

Fast Red Flashing Critical Battery Warning

Red Flashing Alternatively IMU Error

— Solid Red Critical Error

Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required

Turning On and Self Diagnostic Testing

Safe to Fly (P-mode with GPS and Vision Positioning)

Safe to Fly (P-mode with Vision Positioning but without GPS)

Safe to Fly (A-mode but No GPS and Vision Positioning)

Return-to-Home (RTH)

The Return-to-Home (RTH) function brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Home Point. There are three types of RTH procedures: Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH. This section describes these three scenarios in detail.

Description

Home Point

GPS

If a strong GPS signal was acquired before takeoff, the Home Point is the location from which the aircraft was launched. The GPS signal strength is indicated by the GPS icon ( ). The aircraft status indicator will blink rapidly when the home point is recorded.

Smart RTH

Use the RTH button on the remote controller (refer to “RTH button” on page 26 for more information) or tap the RTH button in the DJI Pilot app and follow the on-screen instructions when GPS is available to initiate Smart RTH. The aircraft will then automatically return to the last recorded Home Point. You may use the remote controller’s control sticks to control the aircraft’s position to avoid a collision during the Smart RTH process. Press and hold the Smart RTH button once to start the process, and press the Smart RTH button again to terminate the procedure and regain full control of the aircraft.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Low Battery RTH

The low battery level failsafe is triggered when the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery is depleted to a point that may affect the safe return of the aircraft. Users are advised to return home or land the aircraft immediately when prompted. The DJI Pilot app will display a notice when a low battery warning is triggered. The aircraft will automatically return to the Home Point if no action is taken after a ten-second countdown. The user can cancel the RTH procedure by pressing the RTH button on the remote controller. The thresholds for these warnings are automatically determined based on the aircraft’s current altitude and distance from the Home Point.

The aircraft will land automatically if the current battery level can only support the aircraft long enough to descend from its current altitude. The user can still use the remote controller to alter the aircraft’s orientation during the landing process.

The Battery Level Indicator is displayed in the DJI Pilot app, and is described below:

Battery Level

Warning

Critical Low battery level warning(Red)

Low battery level warning(Yellow)

Remark

Aircraft Status

Indicator

Sufcient battery

level(Green)

Power requires to return home

Battery level Indicator

Remaining ight time

DJI Pilot app Flight Instructions

Tap “Go-home” to have the

Low battery level warning

The battery power is low. Please land the aircraft.

Aircraft status indicator blinks RED slowly.

aircraft return to the Home point and land automatically, or “Cancel” to resume normal flight. If no action is taken, the aircraft will automatically go home and land after 10 seconds. Remote controller

Fly the aircraft back and land it as soon as possible, then stop the motors and replace the battery.

will sound an alarm.

Critical Low battery level warning

Estimated remaining

ight time

The aircraft must land immediately.

Estimated

remaining ight

based on current battery level.

Aircraft status indicator blinks RED quickly.

N/A N/A N/A

The DJI Pilot app display will

ash red and the aircraft will

start to descend. The remote controller will sound an alarm.

Allow the aircraft to descend and land automatically.

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

When the Critical battery level warning is triggered and the aircraft begins to land automatically,

you may push the throttle upward to make the aircraft hover at its current altitude, giving you an opportunity to navigate to a more appropriate landing location.

The colored zones and markers on the battery level indicator bar reflect the estimated

remaining ight time. They are automatically adjusted according to the aircraft’s current location

and status.

Failsafe RTH

If the Home Point was successfully recorded and the compass is functioning normally, Failsafe RTH will be automatically activated if the remote controller signal is lost for more than three seconds. The Return-

Aircraft

to-Home process may be interrupted and the operator may regain control of the aircraft if the remote controller signal connection is re-established.

Failsafe Illustration

1 Record Home Point

2 Conrming Home Point

3 Remote Controller Signal Lost

Blinking Green

Signal Lost Lasts (after 3 sec.)

>3S

Fast Blinking Yellow

Blinking Green

RTH (adjustable altitude)

Fast Blinking Yellow

Height over HP>20m

Elevate to 20m

20m

Height over HP<=20m

Fast Blinking Yellow

6 Landing (after hovering for 5 secs)

Fast Blinking Yellow

The aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore, it is important to set an

suitable Failsafe altitude before each ight. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter “Camera” and

select “MODE > Advanced Settings > Failsafe mode” to set the Failsafe altitude.

The aircraft will stop its ascent and return to the Home Point immediately if the throttle stick is

moved during the Failsafe RTH procedure.

Vision Positioning System

The DJI Vision Positioning System uses ultrasound and image data to help the aircraft maintain its current position. With the help of Vision Positioning, your Phantom 3 Advanced can hover in place more precisely

and ﬂy indoors or in other environments where a GPS signal is not available. The main components of the Vision Positioning System are located on the bottom of your Phantom 3 Advanced; they include [2] two ultrasonic sensors and [1] one monocular camera.

[1] [2]

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Using Vision Positioning

Vision Positioning is activated automatically when the Phantom 3 Advanced is turned on. No further action is required. Vision Positioning is typically used in indoor environments, where GPS is unavailable. Using the sensors that are built into the Vision Positioning system, the Phantom 3 Professional can hover precisely even without GPS.

Follow the steps below to use Vision Positioning:

1. Toggle the ight mode switch to P-mode.

2. Place the aircraft on a at surface. Note that the Vision Positioning system cannot work

properly on surfaces without clear pattern variations.

3. Turn on the aircraft. The aircraft status indicator will ash green two times, which indicates the Vision

Positioning system is ready. Gently push the throttle up to lift off and the aircraft will hover in place.

The performance of your Vision Positioning System is affected by the surface over which it is

ying. The ultrasonic sensors may not be able to accurately measure distances when operating

above sound-absorbing materials. In addition, the camera may not function correctly in suboptimal environments. The aircraft will switch from P-mode to A-mode automatically if neither GPS nor Vision Positioning System are available. Operate the aircraft with great caution in the following situations:

Flying over monochrome surfaces (e.g. pure black, pure white, pure red, pure green). Flying over a highly reective surfaces. Flying at high speeds(over 8 m/s at 2 meters or over 4 m/s at 1 meter). Flying over water or transparent surfaces. Flying over moving surfaces or objects. Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically. Flying over extremely dark (lux < 10) or bright (lux > 100,000) surfaces. Flying over surfaces that can absorb sound waves (e.g. thick carpet). Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture. Flying over surfaces with identical repeating patterns or textures (e.g. tiles with the same design). Flying over inclined surfaces that will deect sound waves away from the aircraft.

Keep the sensors clean at all times. Dirt or other debris may adversely affect the effectiveness

of the sensors.

Vision Positioning is only effective when the aircraft is at altitudes of 0.3 to 3 meters.

The Vision Positioning System may not function properly when the aircraft is ying over water.

The Vision Positioning System may not be able to recognize pattern on the ground in low light

conditions (less than 100 lux).

Do not use other ultrasonic devices with frequency of 40 KHz when Vision Positioning system is

in operation.

Vision Positioning System may not be able to stabilize the aircraft when flying close to the

ground (below 0.5 meters) at fast speeds..

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Keep animals away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning system is activated. The sonar sensor emits high frequency sounds that are only audible to some animals.

Flight Recorder

Flight data is automatically recorded to the internal storage of the aircraft. This includes flight telemetry, aircraft status information, and other parameters. To access these data, connect the aircraft to the PC through the Micro-USB port and launch the DJI Pilot app.

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers

Aircraft

Use only DJI approved propellers with your Phantom 3 Advanced. The grey and black nuts on the propeller indicate where they should be attached and in which direction whey should spin. To attach the propellers properly, match the nut color with the motor axis color

Propellers Silver Dot Black Dot

Figure

Attach On Motors with a grey axes Motors with a black axes

Legends

Lock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten. Unlock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to loosen and remove.

Attaching the Propellers

1. Be sure to remove the warning stickers from the motors before attaching the propellers.

2. Attach the propellers with silver dots onto the motors with silver axes and spin the propellers clockwise

to secure them in place. Attach the propellers with black dots onto the motors with black axes and spin the propellers counter-clockwise to secure them in place. Be sure to tighten each propeller by hand

before ight.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

Ensure propellers are attached to its corresponding motors, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off. Wear gloves when handling propellers.

Hand tighten each of the propellers on the corresponding motors to ensure it is attached rmly.

Detaching the Propellers

Hold the motor in place with one hand, then spin the propeller in the indicated unlock direction.

Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and rmly before every ight. Ensure that all propellers are in good condition before each ight. DO NOT use aged, chipped,

or broken propellers.

To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning.

ONLY use original DJI propellers for a better and safer ight experience.

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery

The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 4480 mAh, a voltage of 15.2 V, and a smart charge/ discharge functionality. It should only be charged using an appropriate charger that has been approved by DJI.

Aircraft

Intelligent Flight Battery

The Intelligent Flight Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to "Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery" for more information.

Be aware that the output power of the supplied Phantom 3 Advanced charger is 57 W.

Charger

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery Functions

1. Battery Level Display: the LED indicators display the current battery level.

2. Battery Life Display: the LEDs display the current battery power cycle.

3. Auto-Discharging Function: To prevent swelling, the battery automatically discharges to below 65% of

total power when it is idle for more than ten days. It takes around two days to discharge the battery to 65%. It is normal to feel moderate heat being emitted from the battery during the discharge process. Discharge thresholds can be set in the DJI Pilot app.

4. Balanced Charging: Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell when charging.

5. Overcharge Protection: Charging automatically stops when the battery is fully charged.

6. Temperature Detection: The battery will only charge when the temperature is between 0°C (32°F) and

40°C (104°F).

7. Over Current Protection: The battery stops charging when high amperage (more than 8 A) is detected.

8. Over Discharge Protection: To prevent over-discharge damage, discharging automatically stops when

the battery voltage reaches 12 V.

9. Short Circuit Protection: Automatically cuts the power supply when a short circuit is detected.

Phantom 3 Advanced User Manual

10. Battery Cell Damage Protection: The DJI Pilot app displays a warning message when a damaged

battery cell is detected.

11. Battery Error History: Browse the battery error history in the DJI Pilot app.

12. Sleep mode: To save power, the battery enters sleep mode after 20 minutes of inactivity.

13. Communication: Information pertaining to the battery’s voltage, capacity, current, etc. is transmitted to

the aircraft’s main controller.

Refer to

Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines

use. Users take full responsibility for all operations and usage.

Aircraft

Using the Battery

LED1

LED2

LED3 LED4

Power Button (Bulit-in LED)

Battery Level Indicators

Turning ON/OFF

Turning On:

Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn on. The Power LED will turn red and the Battery Level Indicators will display the current battery level.

Off: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn off. The

Turning

battery power LED will ash when powering off the Phantom to allow automatically stopping

of a recording during the event recording wasn’t stopped.

before

Low Temperature Notice:

1. Battery capacity is signicantly reduced when ying in low temperature (< 0°C) environments.

2. It is not recommended that the battery be used in extremely low temperature (< -10°C) environments. Battery voltage should reach the appropriate level when operating environment with temperatures between -10°C and 5°C.

3. End the ight as soon as the DJI Pilot app displays the “Low Battery Level Warning” in low temperature

environments.

4. Keep the battery indoors to warm it before ying in low temperature environments.

5. To ensure optimal performance of the battery, keep the battery temperature above 20°C.

6. The charger will stop charging the battery if the battery cell’s temperature is not within the operating range (0°C ~ 40°C ).

In cold environments, insert the battery into the battery compartment and allow the aircraft for approximately 1-2 minutes to warm up before taking off.

Checking the Battery Level

The Battery Level Indicators display how much power remains. When the battery is turned off, press the Power Button once. The Battery Level Indicators will light up to display the current battery level. See below for details.

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