Voxl2/Microhard/NV Trip 2

[tom]

@McMason That docs page appears to be out of date, if you're on SDK 0.9, it should have the external FC capabilities included in voxl-mavlink-server

[Eric Katzfey]

@McMason No, we made a custom adapter.

[McMason]

@tom thanks reason im asking is I can verify Mavlink server is enabled and running, then when i command voxl-mavlink-server nothing shows on the external FC line. I have the cube SER3 set to 921600 and mavlink2. Any ideas? Or is there an up to date instruction? I can confirm i'm on sdk-0.9

[McMason]

voxl2:/$ voxl-mavlink-server
loading our own config file

Parameters as loaded from config file:
px4_uart_bus:
1
px4_uart_baudrate:
921600
udp_port_to_px4:
14556
udp_port_from_px4:
14557
external_fc:
0

existing instance of voxl-mavlink-server found, attempting to stop it
starting receive thread
Init complete, entering main loop

[tom]

@McMason You need to set external_fc to 1 in order to enable it

[McMason]

@tom in order to do that i would have to modify voxl-mavlink-server.conf correct? When i try to issue that line its not recognized. Or im just being dumb which is entirely a possibility. I also did voxl-configure-mavlink-server and when prompted went to 1 for external FC

[tom]

@McMason Interesting, it's possible that menu isn't setting that value correctly. But yes, you can manually edit that config file to modify that value

[tom]

@McMason Confirmed that value wasn't being set correctly, thank you so much for catching that! Adding that fix right now

[McMason]

oh right on! thanks @tom

[McMason]

@Vinny with using M000125 uart usb board i can get a uart and the ETH (video line) in. I also need a way to talk to the VOXL2, is there a hack to get WiFi with using the mentioned board and the functionality we need?
Or am i stuck with using the MH carrier with UART solder leads, and passing the video feed through MH board.

Also if the MH modem isnt installed could i use the two USB peripheral ports to keep video and WiFi? long shot but i thought i would ask.

[Vinny]

Hi @McMason
You do NOT need to have the MH modem actually installed to get the benefit of the USB Hub and downstream ports.
We have block diagrams on the MH tech docs page to help illustrate this:
https://docs.modalai.com/microhard-add-on-datasheet/#block-diagram
If you want to SSH over WiFi into Voxl2, you can use the second downstream USB port on the MH board to host a WiFi dongle, much like we do.
https://www.modalai.com/collections/cables/products/wifi-usb-cable-add-on
That may be your complete solution (hopefully, unless I missed something) but yes, it does hinge on a hub based product (either Microhard, or our newer 5G modem boards which have much higher VBUS capability).
So, you might want to really look into getting the 5G add-on modem board (no modem) and then that gives you the UART plus multiple USB ports, and on one of them, you can cascade a MH dongle and on the other one, the WiFi for SSH into V2.
Might be more elegant than the M0125 + all those adapters.
Depends on your SWAP constraints. But, I think you do have an option.

[McMason]

Sweet, thanks @Vinny I might actually have a 5g modem board as well! Man i really appreciate your patience with all my questions.

[McMason]

Nevermind its the 4gLte carrier.

[Vinny]

Hi @McMason
Of course, we want you to be successful!!
That 4G modem board works just like the Microhard boards we have... you have the same USB hub and the same VBUS capabilities, and you do not need to install a modem to get that functionality.
Hope that helps!

[McMason]

@Vinny , made the decision to just go with MH for better downrange reception.

Is there a guide or anything you can point me too that would be a good start to set up a non MIPI camera? it will be connected via ETH from the trip2

I would be ecstatic if it were as simple as voxl-configure-cameras lol.

[Vinny]

@McMason
Sorry, I'll have to tag team this one off to @tom or someone else from software...
Not sure how the USB based cameras show up different (if they do) from MIPI based cameras.

Keep us posted!!

[McMason]

Will do @Vinny thank you again

[tom]

@McMason For normal USB cameras (UVC), we use voxl-uvc-server. However, we haven't tested an ethernet to USB camera so I'm not sure how much guidance we'll be able to provide there.

[McMason]

@vinny Is there any other VREG_S4A_1P8V test pads beside TP21 i can get power from on the bottom of the MH carrier? I put a meter to verify power and wasnt getting voltage out

[Vinny]

@McMason
TP21 is it unfortunately.
All the rest are component pads which can easily break something. Right next to it is TP17 which is a GND.
This is only present on the "plug-in" version FYI (even if it's obvious, I need to say it) and it's not present on the dongle based versions (but in which case you can't have access to the UART either).