sending signals digitally?

Question

I intend to control an underwater ROV via fiber optic cable. Is there a device that exists that can accept a single PWM input, convert it to speed control instructions, and output those as PWM to speed controls?

Also, I need a way to convert either instructions on a laptop or a joystick setup to PWM.

Answer 1

probably could just use a generic microcontroller and use a fast loop to keep quickly checking the state of a PWM signal %on/%off to get a duty cycle, seems like a bad way of doing things though, would be easier just to send serial data from the laptop to a microcontroller in the ROV

Answer 2

This would be a serial link using PCM, (pulse code modulated) signals with start and stop bits, (for example RS-232, which is the communications protocol for a standard PC serial connection).



Typically you would generate the PWM signals at the target, since they're not easily multiplexed over a serial connection.

Answer 3

Hi again in this matter....

The only device I would know of on the market is

http://www.globalspec.com/FeaturedProducts/Detail/deltataudelta/Geo_MACRO_Drive/24705/0

but it looks bloody expensive!

Else you are getting yourself into some very fundamental electronics engineering....

I was searching for an I/O card for your computer (PCI slot), but couldn't find any that processes PWM signals, AND has optical output, AND is affordable....