$125.00$250.00

The Fathom-X board provides a robust high-speed, long-distance Ethernet connection over a single pair of wires. Enables HD video and high-bandwidth data over 300m+ tether lengths.

SKU: FATHOM-X-VP
HS Code: 8504.40.40

Product Description

The Fathom-X Tether Interface Board provides a high-speed, long-distance Ethernet connection to an ROV or other remote platform. They’re designed for use with the Fathom tether, standard Cat5 cable, or even a single twisted pair of wires. This board uses a HomePlug module, which leverages the robust HomePlug AV (IEEE-1901) standard for sending Ethernet through powerlines. It has the following features:

  • 80 Mbps Ethernet over two wires (per our own bandwidth testing)
  • 300m+ tether length capability
  • Plug-and-play with no setup involved
  • Onboard switching power supply with 7-28V input range
  • USB Mini-B connector for powering directly from a computer on the topside
  • Indicator LEDs for power, link, and data
  • Included 6″ Ethernet cable for connection to onboard computer

With the Fathom-X the exact same board is used on each end of the tether. One on the ROV and one on the topside. You can even connect more than two of these boards to the same tether lines. (Not sure why you’d want that… two ROVs on one tether?!)

The Fathom-X Tether Interface Board is open-source and open-hardware, so the schematics and board files are free to view, modify, and reuse. The electrical schematic and board layout are open-source and the design files are available below.

Product Description

The Fathom-X Tether Interface Board provides a high-speed, long-distance Ethernet connection to an ROV or other remote platform. They’re designed for use with the Fathom tether, standard Cat5 cable, or even a single twisted pair of wires. This board uses a HomePlug module, which leverages the robust HomePlug AV (IEEE-1901) standard for sending Ethernet through powerlines. It has the following features:

  • 80 Mbps Ethernet over two wires (per our own bandwidth testing)
  • 300m+ tether length capability
  • Plug-and-play with no setup involved
  • Onboard switching power supply with 7-28V input range
  • USB Mini-B connector for powering directly from a computer on the topside
  • Indicator LEDs for power, link, and data
  • Included 6″ Ethernet cable for connection to onboard computer

With the Fathom-X the exact same board is used on each end of the tether. One on the ROV and one on the topside. You can even connect more than two of these boards to the same tether lines. (Not sure why you’d want that… two ROVs on one tether?!)

The Fathom-X Tether Interface Board is open-source and open-hardware, so the schematics and board files are free to view, modify, and reuse. The electrical schematic and board layout are open-source and the design files are available below.

Single

  • 1 x Fathom-X Tether Interface Board
  • 1 x HomePlug Module

Pair

  • 2 x Fathom-X Tether Interface Board
  • 2 x HomePlug Module
  • 1 x 6″ Ethernet Cable

Specifications

ParameterValue
Electrical
Supply Voltage (terminal block)7 - 28 volts
Supply Voltage (USB port)5 volts
Max Power Draw2.5 Watts
Performance
Max Practical Bandwidth80 Mbps
Physical Layer Bandwidth200 Mbps
Working Frequency2-30 MHz
Max Tether Length (Published)2000 m
Max Tether Length (tested)300 m
Physical
Operating Temperature-20 to +85°C
Storage Temperature-40 to +85°C
USB Connector TypeUSB Mini B Female
Tether Wire Gauge12-30 AWG
Power Wire Gauge16-26 AWG
Screw Hole Diameter3.3 mm

2D Drawings

Fathom-X 2D

3D Models

FATHOM-X-ASM-R1 (.zip)

Documents

Fathom-X-Schematic (.pdf)

Fathom-X Design Files

LX200V20-Datasheet-v1.2 (.pdf)

LX200V20 (RAKwireless)

Revision History

6 July 2023

  • FATHOM-X-SINGLE-R1-RP SKU changed to BR-100023
  • FATHOM-X-PAIR-R1-RP SKU changed to BR-100178

15 June 2016

  • R1 - Initial release

Quick Start

1. Connect two wires from the tether cable to the terminal block.

2. Power each board with either a USB connection or a 7-28V input to the small terminal block.

3. Connect an Ethernet cable and the connection should become active immediately

Fathom-X Diagram

Installation

Normal Scenario

In most cases, the Fathom-X setup is simple. Once powered, it acts as a transparent Ethernet bridge to extend any Ethernet connection through the tether.

The four screw holes are identical to those on the Fathom-S ROV board, so they can be interchanged quickly.

With Fathom-S

The Fathom-X board can be use with the Fathom-S board to provide the features of both, simultaneously. Additionally, the screw hole pattern is identical so that they can be stacked together with stand-offs.

To use both boards together:

    1. Connect the tether wires to the Fathom-S board normally.

    2. Add jumpers between “Pair 4” on the Fathom-S board and the large terminal block on Fathom-X. Connect 4+ to “+” on the terminal block and 4- to “-“ on the terminal block.

    3. That’s it, both boards will function normally, including the power on/off feature of the Fathom-S board.

Support Community

Blue Robotics Forum – Tether Interfaces

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Blue Robotics Forums - Tether Interfaces

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