Adding an external custom payload

I’m working on a project to develop an external Payload to a BlueROV2 platform.
I’m guessing how to ‘interface’ the payload with the internal navigation electrical plant and navigation hardware.
The first question is … I can use the internal power to supply the payload? What’s are the current/voltage ratings?
The second is … which bus I can use to enable a communication from the navigation hardware with the payload?
I have to send some simple commands and retrieve a minimum of telemetry.
Since I will develop the payload electronics from scratch I have not hard costraints but I would like to keep it as simple as possible (i.e. using a microcontroller instead a complex SoC).

Can someone help me or show me which docs to read?

Best regards,
weirdgyn

Hi @weirdgyn -
Your payload should be able to connect to the battery terminals at the back of the main electronics enclosure - these supply battery voltage, typically 12 to 16.8V DC.

If your payload talks serial, you can connect it directly to a Navigator serial port, or use a USB to Serial converter like the BluART. Keep in mind that the signaling voltages need to be 3.3V, and not higher.

This guide covers connecting devices to the system, and this recently published guide details how to process and visualize incoming data with Node-RED.

1 Like

thank you.

There’s a current limit on the external battery terminals? Or it’s only limited by the battery discharge current rate?

Hi @weirdgyn -
The power available from the battery terminals at the back of the 4" electronics enclosure is limited only by the power cables that go to the battery, and the discharge rate of the battery. Your payload should be able to pull significant power without issue!

Thnx!