News: BLHeli_32 ESC’s are Going F3 !?

by Oscar

You are probably still using F3 FC, did you know that our BLHeli ESC are going to use F3 processor too?! Around 2016, ESC’s started upgrading from 8-bit to 32-bit with the F0 processor, and it’s just become the standard in the ESC market today. And now they are upgrading again, to the faster F3. But are we even surprised? :D

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That’s just how the FPV industry has always been, technology keeps evolving rapidly :) Anyway, what benefits/advantages do F3 bring to ESC performance?

See my ESC Buyer’s guide to learn more about the development of ESC’s.

The First ESC with F3 MCU?

Holybro Tekko32 35A ESC Product Page – http://bit.ly/tekko32-f3-esc

  • Power input: 3-6S LIPO
  • Cont.Current: 35A
  • Size: 15*30 mm
  • Weight: 3.6g / pc

The specs look similar to the Tekko32 35A ESC (F0), but it only takes 3s to 6S rather than 2S to 6S. And it’s significantly lighter! (3.6g vs. 5.2g)

Benefits of Using F3 over F0 in BLHeli ESC

The full list of improvements/features hasn’t been disclosed by the developers yet, here is only our speculations.

  • Allows for faster ESC protocol? – Do you think DShot1200 is fast? How about DShot4800?
  • Higher maximum eRPM – useful for high voltage, and smaller craft?

According to Holybro, the performance difference isn’t noticeable at the moment (Sept 2018). But with further development, we might see F3 replacing F0 eventually in the future.

I will update this post as I learn more.

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13 comments

Anon 13th January 2020 - 11:40 pm

gigadevices gd32f350 vs stm32f051 comparison please. The old FC we used to love was a STM32F3 processor not “GD32F3”

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GhVost 10th September 2018 - 11:05 pm

Do you know if they’re going to implement FOC any time soon?

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Oscar 18th September 2018 - 5:37 pm

FOC is not possible on existing ESCs though, because they lack some circuitry details

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Michael 10th September 2018 - 12:53 am

Cool and all but can we just get a 10x20mm blheli_32 ESC? I’m not looking for current sensing, LEDs, Telemetry, I just want the performance that’ll fit on most arms with good protection. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Enyo 10th September 2018 - 6:07 pm

Airbot wraith32 mini V2!

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Mike 10th September 2018 - 11:27 pm

Yeah I’m running those ESCs now. They are pretty solid, more options would be nice though.

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Marek 7th September 2018 - 11:33 am

Airbot Furling was first esc with F3 processor…

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David Kyjovsky 7th September 2018 - 9:45 am

How about 4 in 1 and using only one faaaast microcontroller for all of them? This would save some costs for sure.

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Henrik Sandaker Palm 7th September 2018 - 2:52 pm

This, definitely. Or put the ESC firmware together with the FC firmware on an F7 processor, then the ESCs are merely mosfet modules.

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Chris 7th September 2018 - 7:35 am

This is not the first ESC with F3 chip nextfpv.com.au/collections/escs/products/advanced-power-drives-40amp-f3-esc

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Mugz 6th September 2018 - 9:23 pm

No GND for signal wires.

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Marc 6th September 2018 - 7:49 pm

is there a 4in1 of theese?

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Oscar 9th September 2018 - 4:52 pm

not that we know of, but i am sure it will come to that.

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