Microhard USB Carrier Board Integration with VOXL 2 (As opposed to the add on board)
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Hello, for form factor reasons, and to get the maximum db output of the microhard module, I want to try and integrate the Microhard USB Carrier Board with the VOXL 2 instead of the standard Add on Board. I'm attempting to set it up identical to how the doodle labs radios integrate, through the USB 2 fastboot board on the VOXL 2. I have been unsuccessful in creating a network connection to the radio.
Is there any reason why this integration wouldn't work? Is there anything that can be done to get this integration to work?
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@Jeremy-Frederick Can you post a picture of your hardware setup so we can get a better idea of what you're trying?
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@Jeremy-Frederick Just tried a separate carrier board and modem and it seems to be working just fine now
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HI @Jeremy-Frederick
This cable may help improve your setup to get rid of that external regulator for the MH
https://www.modalai.com/collections/cables-1/products/mcbl-00095
Food for thought. -
@Vinny Appreciate the option, just now noticing that the USB2 Fast boot board is no longer being sold, I assume its been replaced by the USB3 breakout board. Is this board still capable of providing up to 5A to the peripheral modem as demonstrated in the doodle labs radio integration guide?
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Hi @Jeremy-Frederick
If you mean "2A" (not 5A) then sadly no.
Our newest 4G modem board M0130 can provide the needed 2A (10W) for full range, but otherwise, an external supply is needed for Doodle to achieve their max stated specs.
https://docs.modalai.com/cable-datasheets/#mcbl-00085
https://www.modalai.com/collections/modems/products/m0130-3?variant=48186331693360 -
@Vinny I've been assessing the FPV ESC with its built in 5V regulator for the VOXL 2 up to 6A. On the bench, I haven't clocked the VOXL 2 drawing any more then 2A, (albeit we're not using many of the CPU heavy services). Do you think this regulator would be capable of powering the VOXL 2 as well as the Microhard modem up to 2A?
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Absolutely! @Jeremy-Frederick
That is why we keep the 6A part to match our Power Module capabilities from M0041.
We need 6A to deal with inrush power-on for our VOXL 2, but then after that, we usually only pull 6-8W MAX in the most extreme use cases, so you have over 20W of "free" power to use on accessories.
Hope this helps minimize your system eBOM!
Let us know if you have any other questions. -
@Jeremy-Frederick I'm working on something of a similar setup.
in my setup I have a external FC(Flight Core V2 instead of a internal flight controller), I'm planning to use
Microhard USB Carrier Board with the VOXL 2instead of the variant which sits on VOXL2. Would be great if you share some details on your setup which could help me as well, I have few queries ie.,| @Jeremy-Frederick Just tried a separate carrier board and modem and it seems to be working just fine now.
What do you mean by when you tried a separate carrier board. Was it a same but new carrier from ModalAI or from some other manufacturer?
Also what type of Radio module are you using and how are you establishing communication between radio module and MH connected to VOXL2?
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@Jetson-Nano I've integrated the Pico Radio from airborne innovations, as well as the USB carrier for Microhard, both 2350 and 2450 pMDDL chips. My best approach so far has been to connect the 4pin USB port from the USB Carrier to the USB3 expansion board of the Modal AI series (still requires an external board unfortunately). However, by connecting the power of the USB carrier for Microhard to the 6A 5V supply from the FPV ESC, I have been able to max the power output. Note, this does disable the extra USB ports on the microhard however.
Best,
Jeremy Frederick -
@Jeremy-Frederick Thanks for reverting. In your setup do you have the Radio directly paired or connected with ground unit of the MH carrier without having to any other workarounds?
