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4
Aux +
5
Ground
6
Aux -
7
Manipulator 24 VDC -
8
Manipulator 24 VDC +
9
12 VDC +, 6 Watts
1.
Changes are noted in bold.
2.
The Pro 3 and Pro 4 manipulators are not interchangeable.
The external RS-485 connection makes possible unprecedented multiplexing and inter-communications of the
ROV, accessories and/or sensor devices. Examples of the immediate possibilities include:
Allowing accessories that require communications with the surface, which was typically supported on the
APIC, to be operated using the ROV communications bus. This allows multiple accessories to be used
concurrently.
Allowing accessories to be addressed by a device ID. This will allow multi-axes manipulators or even
multiple manipulators on one ROV to be supported.
Allowing the VideoRay controller to operate accessory devices other than the manipulator, such as
changing a sonar's range setting or inflating a lift bag.
Extended future possibilities include:
Having the ROV be aware of an operator's change to the sonar's range setting during a ship hull
inspection, and then having the ROV automatically adjusting its pitch angle and hull distance accordingly to
deliver the optimal sonar image of the hull for that range.
Reading previously placed RFID tags, retrieving information from a database related to each tag,
recording new images and other data such as temperature or salinity and posting these to the database,
all while the operator concentrates solely on piloting the ROV.
The first integrated accessory, available for immediate delivery with the Pro 4, is the KCF Technologies Smart
Tether, which uses the same RS-485 communications bus. The ROV's Compass/NAV node (see below for more
information) also serves as the ROV node for the Smart Tether further illustrating the tight integration made
possible by adopting the RS-485 protocol.
Additional benefits of using the RS-485 protocol over the CAN bus are that the maximum tether length has been
extended from about 360 meters (1,200 feet) to more than 600 meters (2,000 feet), and the ability to integrate
new accessories is virtually limitless.
Pro 4 Modular Components
VideoRay ROV architecture is moving in the direction of increased reliance on software to support long term
implementation of features, and hardware modularity to support the diverse nature of the capability requirements
based on the variety of user applications. This plan begins with the Pro 4, and will continue through future
evolutions.
Summary
The Pro 4 has taken the highly acclaimed and extremely reliable Pro 3 GTO to new levels of performance by
overhauling and updating many of the key components while maintaining the basic structure and form factor of
VideoRay ROVs. The new system architecture also allows a continuous stream of improvements from VideoRay
and as new accessories and features are added and as the SDK is put to use by accessory vendors and
research institutions.
Aux +
Power Common (Ground)
Aux -
RS-485 Tx
RS-485 Rx
12 VDC +, 30 Watts
264
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