OpenCPN and Arduboat

[Anelito]

Hello,
is it possible to integrate OpenCPN with ArduBoat software (acting as helmsman) via MAVlink or Serial connection?
Thank you

[seandepagnier]

ardu boat is not really designed for sailboats.

I use pypilot and have good integration with opencpn.

[Anelito]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

ardu boat is not really designed for sailboats.

I use pypilot and have good integration with opencpn.

Actually, I would like to use it on a kayak so it's okay for basic steering and speed control. Does OpenCPN accept MAVlink inputs or do I need to get GPS and heading messages from ArduPilot and reroute to OpenCpn in NMEA0183 format?

[transmitterdan]

OpenCPN accepts NMEA data. It can be via wifi using either UDP or TCP or it can be via a GPSD (GPSd - Put your GPS on the net!) daemon running on the local computer.

[Anelito]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

OpenCPN accepts NMEA data. It can be via wifi using either UDP or TCP or it can be via a GPSD (GPSd - Put your GPS on the net!) daemon running on the local computer.

Are there other input systems, such as inter-process communication, a message bus or accessible APIs?
Because I receive GPS and heading info from the ardupilot on a Raspberry Pi (also running OpenCPM) via MAVlink and process them for remote logging reasons. Then I should convert from plaintext to NMEA and feed to OpenCPN, but how?
Thank you

[seandepagnier]

What are you doing? I am interested.

What do you need opencpn for, and why an autopilot on a kayak?

I recommend using pypilot again, because it's already integrated and targeted for opencpn use. arduboat is mostly for remote control and very small boats in lakes, so understandably you fall somewhere between these two. If we had more details it would help.

[transmitterdan]

The simplest input to OpenCPN is using UDP on a prearranged port number. You can tell OpenCPN to listen on a certain port and any NMEA message sent to that port will be decoded by OpenCPN.

I guess you will have to write a program (Python would be easiest I think) to convert the MAVlink data to NMEA-0183 format. Then send that data via UDP to the port OpenCPN is configured to listen on. I have a Python program that reads an NMEA text file and sends the messages to a TCP or UDP port. It could be a starting point for such a task. The difference would be instead of reading a text file it would read in the MAVlink data and reformat it into NMEA-0183. See https://github.com/transmitterdan/vdrplayer.

[Anelito]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

What are you doing? I am interested.

What do you need opencpn for, and why an autopilot on a kayak?

I recommend using pypilot again, because it's already integrated and targeted for opencpn use. arduboat is mostly for remote control and very small boats in lakes, so understandably you fall somewhere between these two. If we had more details it would help.

I am building an autopilot for (small) motor boats and I will extend to sailboats in the future. Arduboat takes care of waypoint navigation as helmsman (or totally in case of power failure), while Raspberry Pi performs obstacle detection and avoidance using a camera for nearby obstacles and route planning using AIS, coastal charts, tide and weather data. Now, for route planning I was checking out OpenCPN, and in any case, it is also useful to have the route displayed on a screen.

To perform testing I use a kayak equipped with a small trolling motor and a linear actuator for automatic steering.

[prof_mariner]

Are there any threads here on cruisersforum for pypilot?

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by prof_mariner

Are there any threads here on cruisersforum for pypilot?

Please use the forum tools given to you. "Search this Forum" by thread or post.

Pypilot thread is here
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ot-199337.html

This is a Beta Plugin and the Manual is here