Sounds like you need fiber…imho, the time and money (possibly wasted) to try and run that setup with any good result over copper would be far better invested in a fiber upgrade…
If you’ve got that sort of gear onboard, I’m guessing the projects you are working on are not insignificant; upgrading to fiber, and getting reliable fast data, for what is probably pocket change on most commercial projects, will be well worth it.
You could contact a cable manufacturer and ask for shielded twisted pairs. This will allow you to send data over several pairs and not have cross talk issues.
Hi Etienne,
I am interested in the fiber optic module you have built up. I am converting my rov for longer distance. Can you please send me more info? My email is jamesmcclure.design@gmail.
Thanks,
James
This is an insightful conversation! @etienne can you tell me more about how you do the fiber terminations yourself? I hear that the terminations are the hard part when it comes to doing fiber correctly.
Etienne, I would be interested in your solution and pricing (450m). Please shoot me an email!
Isn’t it just a coupe of ethernet over fiber converters? It’s all pretty simple and inexpensive, especially if you’re not doing a quick disconnect for the tether.
Hi Jacob,
Thank you for your comments as I know this is a big setback when people are considering using fiber.
Yes, I do the fiber myself and with a couple tips and tricks, everyone can. I could teach this to a kid in 5 minutes.
There are a lot of misconception surrounding fiber termination; expensive, hard to do, fiber need to be perfect, expensive tools, etc.
I think it is important to put in perspective what we are actually using the fiber for.
I’ve been doing fibers for about 20 years on ROVs and the more advanced system need better quality termination du to the multiple connectors, FORJ (Fiber Optic Rotary Joint), multiple wavelengths etc on the same fiber.
This is not the case here.
We are only trying to pass a bandwidth of 100mbps full duplex. In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing compared to what we could really pass over the same fiber.
Also, we do not have a lot of connectors in the circuit to attenuate the signal past the tolerance of the fiber converter.
Furthermore, the fiber converter can deal with a lot of loss before the signal is lost.
Finally, there are no difference of performance between a professional perfect fiber termination and a mediocre one that lets sufficient light through. (In our scenario)
So, with that in mind, there are 4 major termination methods I’ve used; Holt melt, crimp, splice,fast.
They all have there pros and cons, but in order to keep cost, rapidity and complexity down, I recommend the fast method using LC connectors.
LC connectors are very small, they allow to pass the connector through your end plates. The way I do it is pass it through the threaded part of the 18 hole plate and connect inside the converter. Rotate counter clock 2 turns before I screw it in so it goes in the ROV without any turns.
The fast method allow to use an automatic cleaving tool and does not require epoxy or polishing. Its ready in minutes but its not as mechanically solid a connection as the other methods. That said, I use regular epoxy or hot glue to strengthen the mechanical bond depending on time constraints.
So as far as skills are concerned, if you can measure and thread a needle, you’ll be able to do it…
With regards to quality control, you can use an scope to check the fiber end, an OTDR, fiber light meters and all that good stuff but really, only a lazer light will do. Shoot the lazer at one end and point the terminated end on your hand. If its bright and shooting straight its good enough lol. The difference between a good and a bad termination is very notable.
I can do terminations with a regular 2USD wire stripper and a stanley knife but I will be selling a complete proper kit for about 100USD.
I’ll post a video when I get a chance.
Cheers,
E.
3M Hotmelt Kit - How To Terminate Fiber Optic Cable - YouTube 3M Hotmelt is the old way… not difficult just takes time to polish, but now we “weld” them together… it does it all itself, and this is 3 yrs ago so it might have come something easyer, but its not difficult . i personally like the old way;) figure 8 polish, and look in a magnifier if its clean ;)… Single Fiber and Ribbon Fiber Splicing - YouTube here is the new methods.,But there is a lot of talk about dagers with it… you need to have control over every fiber thats waste,. if it goes into your body it can end up in your bloodsteam, if its a roumour or a Slight possibillity i dont know, but i allwas have ducktape on the table to lay them on.
I wouldn’t say that it’s old versus new, more that it’s about the application.
Took me a while to get to it but here is the video of how to do a fiber termination: https://youtu.be/SqIUu2ARgZQ
This video is unboxing of the fiber repair kit we sell: https://youtu.be/Z4oZ7XYwDoc
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Etienne
I am interested in the fiber optic module you have built up. I am converting my rov for longer distance. Can you please send me more info? My email is carjavi@hotmail.com
I am interested in the fiber optic module you have built up. I am converting my rov for longer distance. Can you please send me more info? My email is carjavi@hotmail.com
Hi Carlos, I sent you an email. Let me know if you have any further questions or requirements.
Hope this can help.
I also found these fiber converter boards. I don’t have any experience with them, but they look relatively compact and something like this might be a better option than some other converters that have a lot of unnecessary ports.
I use these. They fit in BR’s 2" WTEs.
VX-200M-X3 - 1000BaseT to 1000SFP Ethernet Micro Media Converter (versatek.com)
I use our SVS-209 It has 4 x Gb RJ45 ports.
I use these ones, hope it can work.
@etienne I would like more info on converting to fiber. I am controlling a 6k Cinema camera through 150m of tether as well as the ROV. But I want to go deeper and further. Can you please email me at eikojnz@telus.net if you can help.
Thanks.
Eiko
I would like to announce the new fiber board we are offering! Drawing less than 1W of power (when tested with 3KM range at gigabit speeds) and with a foot print of less than 3 by 2 inches (smaller than the Raspberry Pi). 
