MAZU Board – Sensor Solution For ROV DIY

If you are planning to build your own ROV (underwater robot) and are looking for related sensor modules, Mazu sensor modules will be one of your best choices.

To DIY your ROV, you might be faced the challenges of hardware, software integration, and mechanism waterproof design. This article explains how MAZU boardmodules can simplify the challenges you will face in the DIY process.

In hardware point of view, the MAZU board is the sensors module specially designed for the ROV DIY. It has been used in ROVMAKER’s own Voyager II ROV. The integrated sensors on it contain an inertial measurement unit (IMU) MPU-9250A and a depth and temperature sensor MS5837-30BA. In addition, the electronic compass IST8310 is added to provide better underwater navigation. And these chips are controlled through a single I2C interface.

In software point of view, the ROV MAKER team provides code examples implemented in Voyager II. It reduces your development effort. You can download it in the download of the official website or click this link directly.

The MAZU Board could provide following navigation data :

• IMU9250 provides pitch, yaw and roll of the ROV. In the monotonous underwater vision, this provides the robot’s attitude parameters in the water。
• The depth and temperature sensor MS5837-30BA can convert the pressure value (mBar unit) to the depth of fresh water or sea water (cm) through a formula. In addition to the pressure value, this chip also provides temperature values.
• Electronic compass IST8310 provides accurate magnetic north position. It provides easy way to calibration by rotating the ROV several times and shake it left and right. Currently its driver only provides MIPS version, if other system platform version is required, relevant compilation parameters (Compiler flag) must be provided.

In mechanism point of view, after soldering the wires, Mazu can be placed in the attached acrylic plate, and then epoxy resin A can be injected to the upper edge of the MS5837-30BA white pressure. This design allows Mazu to work normally underwater

In order not to interfere with the electronic compass IST8310, it is recommended that the MAZU board be kept away from the motor or related lines as much as possible

Following is the assembly video of MAZU board for your reference