RF Control of blue boat using Navigator

[debu (deb)]

Hi,

I am new to using the BlueOS and the navigator library attached with it.

I have attached an RF Receiver to the RF Port on the navigator, I am able to see the data being read from the RF Receiver on the Mavlink Inspector. I want to read the same data into a python file using the navigator library, I am able to see other data like magnetometer and stuff but not anything regarding reading the RF data using the navigator library in python.

I basically want to control the boat using the RF controller but the built in one isnt that good and I am always reading some noise and random movements in the thrusters, So was looking to write my own code to read the data and command the thrusters accordingly.

Could anyone help me out.

[EliotBR (Eliot)]

Hi @debu,

@debu

I am able to see other data like magnetometer and stuff but not anything regarding reading the RF data using the navigator library in python.

To quote a recent response to someone else, on a similar topic:

@EliotBR

You may be misunderstanding what the Navigator actually is - it’s “just” a collection of sensors and outputs, and no code actually runs on the Navigator itself.

BlueOS runs on the Raspberry Pi, and if a Navigator is detected then an autopilot firmware can be run (as a service within BlueOS) that makes use of the sensors and PWM outputs the Navigator hardware provides. Alternatively (as in, only if the autopilot firmware is not running), you can connect to / directly control the Navigator hardware using your own code, or via an Extension like the Navigator WebAssistant.

Serial ports and the like are part of the Raspberry Pi, and can be either

1. controlled by the autopilot firmware, or
2. used by other parts of BlueOS, or an Extension, if either
   1. the port is configured as disabled for the autopilot (via the Autopilot Firmware page), or
   2. the autopilot is completely disabled

Note that when an autopilot firmware is running you can communicate with it using MAVLink, which is less direct than talking to individual hardware chips, but may still provide the information/control required for your application. That said, it’s unclear what you’re trying to achieve, so it’s difficult to advise on which approaches actually make sense for your use-case.

Reading radio signals in your own Python code and then sending resulting commands to the autopilot would require some roundabout passing around of information, and may increase communication/control latency to a problematic degree.

@debu

I basically want to control the boat using the RF controller but the built in one isnt that good and I am always reading some noise and random movements in the thrusters

It’s likely worth looking at the RC_CHANNELS and SERVO_OUTPUT_RAW MAVLink message details to see whether the noise is coming from your radio hardware (including potentially your controller), a misunderstanding of (or bug in) the autopilot, or (otherwise) is occurring at the output pins / is being picked up by the wires to the ESCs.