Underwater Minnesota

ROV project

A low cost underwater ROV controlled by a laptop PC

 

Overview

The idea was to get a fairly inexpensive (<$500) ROV that could be used for shallow water (up to 100 feet).  Instead of a controller box which most ROVs have, we use a laptop for all control, video/still capture, data acquisition, etc.

 

Designed in conjunction with Applied Logic Engineering, Inc. (www.appliedlogiceng.com), we’ve worked on the concept on and off for 3-4 months.  The photos to the right will give you a good idea of what the design looks like.

 

Basic specs

 

* Roughly 15 inches long by 6 inches wide by 14 inches tall

* Propulsion is provided by 4 separate bilge pumps orientated in left, right, up, and down positions.  Water jets provide thrust.

* Frame is PVC pipe

* Main housing is an inexpensive camera housing we found on ebay.  Sealed on one end and O-ring sealed removable plate on the other

* 2 cables combined make up the “tether” – a heavy duty (12 AWG) extension cord provides +12VDC from the surface and a standard CAT5 Ethernet able provides data & video

* Topside power is provided via a standard rechargeable “jump starter” but any +12VDC source that can supply 6 amps can be used

* RS-232 is used to carry data traffic, standard video is provided to the topside PC

* Camera is a small Sony “surveillance” board cam – good low light response and works off of 12VDC

* On board, microprocessor based control system

* On board digital compass, pressure sensor for depth, and provisions for a digital thermometer (not implemented yet)

* High current electrical support for up to 5 motors and 1 light system (future)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC software

 

* Runs on any laptop

* Requires one serial port (or USB to serial convertor) and one USB port (to accommodate video to USB converter)

* Displays depth, heading, and temp in real time

* Displays video image in real time

* Allows operator to capture video to the hard disk on demand

* Allows operator to capture stills (jpegs) to the hard disk on demand.

* Thruster control is provided by clicking directional buttons on screen

* Also shows a “relative position” indicator from a known origin – plots course as ROV moves based on compass heading & thrusters employed

 

Status

 

The design is wrapping up and we are preparing for our first “sea trials”.

 

Interested?

Do you have questions?

 

Contact us:

information@underwaterminnesota.com