AgOpenGPS "Ace Branch" PoE update

Finally the snow has almost left, and AgOpenGps is going back on the lawnmower to be tested IRL.
All winter long, dedicated time to building PoE hardware to take advantage of Brian Tischler's USB free "Ace" Branch. Ace relies solely on UDP networking and unlike USB can take advantage of the speed and multicast data abilities of Ethernet UDP.
But why go half way, by using PoE Cat5e now replaces almost every cable, making installs faster and easier. Come take a sneak peak at this evolving electronics hardware in its infancy. See how V2 can remain relevant for years to come.

[@oddione]

This is in every way a better idea than having everything on a single board. As a network technician, it just makes so much more sense to me. It's not unlike setting up VOIP phones and IP cameras in an office building. It just makes sense. That being said, I use dual antennas for the simple reason that I don't like the idea of having the BNO require the board to be flat on the floor. With dual, only the antennas are fixed and everything else can be modular. So far, I've got a Potatofarmer quick tach motor holder and gears. I've got an emlid M2. And I'm definitely going the udp route thanks to PotatoFarmer doing all the legwork for us. I cannot thank him enough. Without him (and Pat from Quebec) I would not be on the brink of having a 100% functional system just in time for the season. A true credit to the cause! -Emmanuel from Quebec

[@potatofarmer]

Brian did the lions share yet again to make this version possible. I just pushed hard for it, by building hardware for it. Even though many thought no one would go for it. Thank you for showing your enthusiasm! It would of happened by myself, just slower. Great you totally get it, cat5 is the easiest installing cable around. Also using the 48v standard there is tons of gear that exists already that could get implemented. Like ip cameras. But like you say, my mission is to make it easier. Everyone should use AgOpenGps.

[@Birkenhof_Uster]

Amazing how little the motor moves and how fast you're back on the line after the u-turn. Never seen that performance with any of my setups. Congratulations! I hope your tests this summer are as successful as this one and ACE + Slowpoke will be released/merged into main AOG soon. Thanks for doing that video despite the cold temperature :D cheers, Andreas

[@potatofarmer]

The first people to use Ace PoE will be V2 users. Very Happy V2 users. I will be releasing videos as it develops.

[@seshafarmspalmarosa1267]

Excellent smooth execution, i have to learn lot from you sir..... if you can list the items that will be better as i have little knowledge over electronics and software ... i really admire your effort ....

[@manuelporton3915]

Amazing! Do you have any idea when you'd have the system ready for distribution? I also want to build a system but i would like to keep it simple and modular. This is exactly that. Thank you for your contribution to the project, keep it up!

[@mwh3501]

It looks like you have the ace branch functioning are you planning on putting together a wiki on how to put it all together. Really want to tinker but like the poe idea.

[@Dylz4a]

Wow! I was wondering to myself about PoE when installing my Kaupoi based setup recently.. Being able to use Ethernet cable for everything would simplify everything massively. Looking forward to seeing where this goes. Do you have a discourse thread about this project?

[@potatofarmer]

No dedicated thread yet, just make the odd video about it. So far most have told me either this would not work, or it sounds like too many parts. But it works great, and has very few parts. Also by things up and being modular, dodge many interference and voltage level shifting issues. No USB = Awesome

[@martinvlasicek3311]

So with this setup i need a switch in the tractor too? Are there any plans for a beginner level tutorial anytime soon, I plan on building AOG autosteer but not before winter.

[@potatofarmer]

The hardware I am creating for Ace requires a PoE network switch. There are plans to release the hardware plans this fall. These boards are very stripped down, trying to use the least user built components possible. The switch is needed because the idea behind Ace PoE is if you need an option you plug it in and it works. Also the modules are simple enough to make different variations of out of different available parts.

[@martinvlasicek3311]

@@potatofarmer Thank you for reply. I see those switches are cheap enough, and that system would definitely simplify using same components on different tractors - just one cable to hook it up. Hopefully some guides and schemes will be up by the time i get around to doing it.

[@Shadoweee]

Great idea and project! I also think that nowadays pretty much everything can be done with an Ethernet cable lol. Why did You go the route of UDP rather than TCP? Either way now just to solve the problem of a Windows tablet :) Ideally it could be dockerized and put on a Raspberry Pi or some other SoC to which You would just connect via a web app - cross platform solved.

[@potatofarmer]

Ethernet cable has stayed relevant for so long because it just works. Brian Tischler the founding inventor of AgOpenGps chose UDP because of its use in manufacturing robotics and outright speed. I have been pushing this branch hard to only use networking and follow the proven infrastructure of an industrial DCS. The windows tablet is great, readily available and provides more functions that pi just cant handle. Web apps are cool if you have the web. This program also needs to function where the internet does not exist.

[@Shadoweee]

@@potatofarmer Well the Pi would act as a web server for the tablet in the cab - in terms of the utilities I really can't think of a thing where Android / iOS *tablet* wouldn't be better than windows *tablet*. In terms of UDP speed - does it really matter at sub ms level? Either way great job and hope for more to come! I am starting to think about making a robot mower with a proper gas engine not those funny electric toys they sell for thousands :)

[@johncodd8660]

hello im trying to get set up with my first set up iv been looking around for a couple months got a idea of how it all should work was trying to make up my parts list got all the bits and bobs but when i got to pcb iv hit a bit of a block i cant work out how to order one properly or for that fact which one it is or how to work the parts list for that. iv been going back and forth for a while now getting beat with it any help be appropriated

[@potatofarmer]

I also thought the AiO’s were pretty complicated so never built one. So started working on a modular PoE based system. Been designing the modules with the least components possible. To give another hardware option.

[@mueller9539]

This is fantastic! I have 3 tractors V2 boards and I have been putting off upgrading to UDP. I'm thinking that this looks like a good option. How far off is the Ace branch from the main branch? is it going to get pulled in?

[@potatofarmer]

The PC program is exactly the same. The “Ace” branch is very much similar to the regular one biggest change being the split of GPS/NAV/STEER boards. The .inos are very similar just extra light, because USB has been stripped out of them. Also data is handled more by the network and less by passthrough comms. Everything is run as fast as possible.

[@johncodd8660]

im buildinga aio system im just wanting to know when the moter is working and steering the tractor if i for an emergancy pull on the wheel will the moter fight me or will it allow me to move it thanks

[@potatofarmer]

If your system has an acs712 ammeter and a modified cytron, the steering will disengage automatically. But I do not know much about AiO, I have never built one. Just been working on this modular board system that can upgrade v2 instead.

[@johncodd8660]

@@potatofarmer thanks very much i have the board ordered so hopefully its not a mistake going for the aio it seemed the easieest to find info on

[@seshafarmspalmarosa1267]

What is the hp of your compact tractor ....

[@potatofarmer]

Its 38Hp

[@omelianfarms437]

What are you using for rtk signal?

[@potatofarmer]

I use an Emlid M2, connected to Wifi. Then use Emlid Caster to send them to the iphone connected to the tablet. Check out my video, I made one about this subject.

[@Dezzsoke]

Most of us use Rtkbase running on a raspberry pi with the same F9P receiver that's on the tractor.

[@potatofarmer]

@@Dezzsoke I know I’ve read many troubleshooting threads about them 😉.

[@Dezzsoke]

​@@potatofarmer not sure about the past but I've built around 6 new bases last month. It can send data to 2 casters (we usually use emlid + centipede) I usually install it under 30 minutes and it just works out of the box.

[@potatofarmer]

@@Dezzsoke So if you end up using Emlids Caster anyway, why not support them a bit by using their hardware?

[@mrjantz810]

Im 100% brand new to aog and am very interested but i have absolutely no background in electronics. I have limited understanding of any of this. Could you possibly send me your email? Can i purchase a pcb that is ready to plug in? What about the other components? How do you know what is compatible?