So a touch of context:
- We have 2 BlueRobotics ROVs, each with their own interface box, laptops, etc
- ROV 1’s laptop does not have an RJ45 port, ROV2’s does. ROV1 used an RJ45>UBC-C adapter dongle
- Both ROVs were working fine before the recent heatwave, they were taken on a job before that time and performed as per usual. The ROVs were left in the box truck in the shop and we had some issues that have since resolved themselves after bringing the ROVs into an AC-cooled room and for a few days.
- ROV1 was brought to a new jobsite using ROV2’s hardware (laptop, box, etc) and the video feed was laggy and made piloting the ROV an insanely frustrating experience, but we got the job done.
Now, however:
- Both ROVs will ONLY talk to ROV 2’s laptop via the RJ45 port, none of our 5 adapter dongles (both USB and USB-C) will let the ROV talk to either laptop via USB.
I find it difficult to believe that all 5 adapter dongles would fail at the same time, but equally so that simultaneously the USB ports on both laptops would stop talking to the box. I’ve tried various hardware combinations and restarts, but nothing seems to work, only plugging in via the RJ45 port directly will work and bring up the camera feed.
Hi @dcarroll394 -
When having issues, is the link light present on the blue FXTI box? I would guess that it is not illuminated (at least continuously) - sometimes a bad USB connector or port can lead to it not getting sufficient power. Is either ROV affected by Technical Bulletin 12? That is the most common reason for the camera issues you report.
Still new to the “deeper end” of the ROV here, so not sure what TB12 is. But the camera works just fine if we plug the RJ42 cable into an RJ42 port, but I’m given to understand that we also use the RJ42 → USB adapter to boost the signal.
I don’t think it would be a bad USB port because I’ve tried every port on both laptops, as well as the ones on my personal laptop, and none of the 5 adapters we possess are working. At this point I think it might be a software issue but like I said, still new.
As I look for clarification to turn guesswork into clarity, my assumption is since we used the more powerful ROV with the lesser ones laptop, without the dongle the signal was coming in laggy because it was trying to relay more than the laptop could handle without the dongle to aid it.
My personal laptop is a high-end gaming beast and might be able to compensate for the lack of dongle if my assumption is correct. And I’ve been given leave to use in for the time being.
I’m one of my companies two regular ROV pilots and while I’ve got the piloting part down (yay video games) I’m working on trying to better my knowledge of how to handle the hardware and software issues that arise instead of needing to pester the other pilot everytime I have a question (they’re a supervisor at a different office entirely, the ROV thing is mostly up to me now and I wanna do a great job).
Hi @dcarroll394 -
The USB adapters will need to be configured to have the correct IP -if you’re switching between them, each may need to be setup independently, on each computer you connect it too…
The USB adapter does not “boost” any signal - it simply creates an ethernet adapter device in windows and sends TCP/IP data over this connection - it is the same as if your computer had an ethernet port.
Besides trying different adapters, USB cables themselves can sometimes cause issues!
What are the specifications of the less powerful computer you’re trying to use?
Have you modified your FXTI box to directly connect ethernet tot he Fathom-X inside it? Bypassing the default USB adapter? Do you have a solid green LED LINK light on the unit when connected to a powered-up ROV?
Processor: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core™ i5-1335U 1.30GHz
RAM: 16GB
Graphics: Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
FXTI box shows solid green on both “Power” and “Link Active”. It looks like the left port has been modified to be the RJ42 cable. See link: Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Both boxes have been similarly modified, neither are working with an adapter, both work fine using an RJ42 port.
I’ll look into re-configuring the USB ports, maybe there was some sort of update we didn’t catch but they were working fine the job previous to the recent heatwave. During the heatwave is when everything went wrong. Correlation isn’t causation but it was exceedingly warm in the shop.
Only after moving the ROVs and equipment to the AC-cooled room did anything start working, but still none of the USB ports are cooperating. Seems to work just fine using an RJ42 port though.
Appreciate the help!
@tony-white Also thanks for the help back in Jan about cockpit, had forgotten I’d even posted that.
Hi @dcarroll394 -
It looks like someone has modified your FXTI - if an ethernet cable is coming out from it, that may mean it is not connected to the USB to Ethernet adapter that is normally used inside it? This adapter is the one we recommend, not sure what others you’ve been using… If not connecting via USB, a USB connection is still required to power the Fathom-X inside, it seems you’re doing that with a USB hub? If this power isn’t good, you could have issues…
When connecting with USB, you may not get connection if things have been modified internally. Best to pop the FXTI open and take a look!
Verify that when you connect whatever adapter, a network adapter appears in Windows Network Connections menu, and that it is configured with the correct static IP and subnet.