Ironically earlier this week I spent some time evaluating a next generation control system for our rov. I don't expect my requirements to exactly match everyone else's, but I thought by sharing my ideas with others we could develop a more flexible system that others in the community use. This has been done before in other hobbies - look at the diy drones guy's ardupilot for a similar system.
I'm a big fan of arduinos. If you are not familiar with arduinos, start here:
http://arduino.cc
Arduinos support plug on modules called shields to expand their functionality. My idea would be to design two shields (one in the rov and one topside) for rov control. The link between the two could be an ethernet tether. The reason for this is to use cheap ip cameras on the rov. For example ($50):
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ip-400-sta ... sion-15974
You could put quite a few of these on the rov and run the video up two pairs of wires. Of course this will require a switch in the rov, but those are pretty small and cheap too. Or, with only one camera, you could use two pairs for the camera and two pairs for the controller in a single cat 5 cable.
An ethernet arduino would handle control on the rov. The only custom piece of hardware would be a rov shield that has the motor controller, light controls, water sensor, etc. It might be also possible to put a current loop interface on there (similar to another commercial rov system) for those how don't want to deal with ethernet. I'm not married to the idea of an ethernet arduino, but that is my starting point.
Topside would be another rov shield to interface with the controller or pc (your choice). You could use an off the shelf controller (like a ps3 or wii controller), build your own out of a couple of joysticks or drive it from a computer. That is up to you.
I'm just kind of thinking out loud here. Is there any interest in a community designed rov control system? Did I miss anything critical? Does anyone else want to contribute?
