Please note, this is a generic ROV manual control question, not directly related to BlueROV2 stabilization electronics.
In a new topside control box design I am working on I would like to eliminate heading hold and depth hold manual switches by electronically remaining in hold mode whenever the heading and/or depth controls are in a neutral position. When these controls move from neutral to change heading or depth, hold mode is bypassed until the controls return to neutral, then it is reinstated. I would appreciate your opinion on this method of control. Seems to me it would simplifies things. No switches, everything is done in software. I am trying to picture a scenario where this method of control would be inappropriate. I may be missing something obvious.
There are several scenarios when we want to be in manual mode.
“Parking” the vehicle pushed to the bottom to get a stable position for photo etc.
Autoheading then tries to rotate with no success
Working close to muddy bottoms, you do not want thrusters to blow up mud and make visibility go 0
Didn’t think of that. A showstopper for sure. Thanks.
BTW, you can leave the autoheading (Stabilize) and depth hold on all the time if you like.
It is still possible to change heading and depth, after releasing joystick the new vaules will be held.
You could probably program the system to go to automode at start.
It’s also worth noting that depth hold at / very near the surface can be problematic because the thrusters continually end up spinning in air and having somewhat sharply varying dynamics as a result, which is especially likely if the water isn’t calm.
That could in theory be avoided by placing all thrusters sufficiently below the center of buoyancy so as to always be covered with water, but that can have its own dynamics quirks.