I’m working on building up a software stack for running experiments with multiple ROVs, BlueBoats, and their simulated counterparts. Because I will be using many pieces of hardware, I don’t want plug every single BlueRobotics vehicle interface into my computer via a USB cable. Instead, I would like to use a router; I’ve attached a diagram detailing my desired network architecture.
With the FXTI boxes, I believe I can just bypass the ethernet to USB-B converter. I’d need to leave the USB-B port though, and plug it in to +5 V power supply. The BaseStation, however, is causing me some difficulties. I tried a USB-C to Ethernet cable from the bulkhead port and connected it to a my router, but didn’t have any luck with that. I cracked the box open and found that the bulkhead port is hardwired to a PCB that feeds into the actual router. I assume this PCB is a USB-C to ethernet converter + POE injector + UI board.
I’d rather not bridge the BaseStation to my router via wireless, as that would cut my throughput roughly in half. For the time being, I think I can plug the BaseStation into my computer and bridge it with the router, however this could create a bit of a routing bottleneck as I add more devices.
That rambling aside, I’ve got two main questions:
Is there a canonical way to create a wired connection between the BaseStation and another router hosting a LAN?
Do the electronics in the BaseStation supporting the integrated MicroTik router offer anything a PoE switch can’t provide?
You can absolutely setup the network as you’ve drawn! You’ll want to take care that every BlueOS device has been individually configured to use a unique IP address, and potentially the autopilot parameter SYS_ID.
To connect the Mikrotik in the Base Station to the router, you can simply disconnect the ethernet cable from inside the box and connect it to a jack on your router - you will need to supply 12V to the power wires, potentially externally? The USB c connection is only going to provide network access to a computer as you found, I’m not aware of routers with USB ports that support networking over that connection - typically it is for printers or flash drives or USB cellular modems…
Or, you could use a router that has multiple WiFi radios - one could be the general network you reach to get to ROV or BlueBoats, and the other radio would connect as a client to the BaseStation radio. We’ve crammed that exact model into a BaseStation box (with no Mikrotik present) and used it as a wireless FXTI - the second WiFi radio makes getting the ROV online via its tether easy!
Thank you! This worked. Drilled a hole in the side of the BaseStation to pass the ethernet cable thru (eventually I’ll add a penetrator). Only setting I had to change on the BaseStation router was making it get an address from DHCP. Also added a static reservation for it on my main router so it still has the same IP.
This is probably more the task of a cheap pass-through cable-gland than a penetrator (assuming you meant something depth rated, like our WetLink ones). I believe they’re quite common in hardware stores, and there may even be one that’s already the right size for the hole you’ve drilled
