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Pro 4 Architecture
The VideoRay Pro 4 represents a significant evolutionary, if not revolutionary, step in the development and
capabilities of submersible Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Built upon a solid platform that was developed
in the mid-1980s and which can now be found in service in more ROVs around the world more than any other
system, the Pro 4 capitalizes on the features that have withstood the tests of time and adds the latest
technological breakthroughs.
Pro 3 Background
The system architecture of the VideoRay Pro 3 consists of a proprietary controller (with hand controls, CPU
board and power supply) on the top-side, the ROV (which also incorporates an onboard CPU) and an umbilical
that connects the two. The CPUs are dated and the communications protocol between the topside and ROV
relies upon CAN bus technology that became popular in the automotive industry in the early 1980s. While these
systems continue to provide reliable operation, further extensibility and integration with new systems are limited.
An RS-232 interface in the Pro 3's top-side CPU board allows an external computer to communicate control
inputs, which in turn are relayed from the topside CPU to the ROV. This enables the ability to use COTS hand
controllers, and add a few graphic features to the interface, but provides little more in terms of added features
and functionality, and certainly doesn't exploit any of the true potential of today's modern CPU performance.
Pro 3 Functional Schematic
Pro 4 Control and Communications
In the Pro 4, this architecture has been overhauled and optimized. The new architecture is built around a new
state-of-the-art high performance ROV CPU board and a more robust and extensible communications bus. The
topside proprietary CPU board and dedicated user interface is eliminated, being replaced by a traditional high
performance commercially available rugged computer and COTS or custom controllers.
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