DEVELOPMENT OF REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE (ROV) CONTROL SYSTEM USING TWINCAT AT MAIN CONTROL POD (MCP)

Abstract

The remote operated vehicle (ROV) is basically a tethered underwater robot. Thus, this research is to replace the current PCB based in main control pod (MCP) which are not available in the production line into the Programming Logic Control (PLC) based. The new control system by using TwinCAT software and the network connection between ROV and PLC has been developed. In revamping the control system, it will allow for the ability to connect modules together with hardware and/or software modification. The maintenance cost of new control system is inferior compared to the existing PCB card. Moreover, the time required to conduct the maintenance is more inflective buy using PLC. A user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed for real-time data monitoring as well as controlling the ROV. The new control system performance is assimilated with existing control system in MCP at ROV.