PilotFish Navionics - Block Diagram

In a series of articles over the next few weeks we'll cover the various components of the on-board electronics driving the PilotFish vessel. Many components are still in flux, so expect changes as the project develops. As sub-modules and connection paths / interface points get solidified, those will be marked as finalized in future revisions of the diagram.

Here is a quick summary of the navionics sub-systems (click image for full size):

• Central Processor: The main control unit. Runs the custom software which makes things move (and find their way)
• Comm uplink: Telemetry uplink (current position, system status and sensor data reporting)
• GPS receiver: Current position tracking
• Compass: Current bearing and acceleration;
• Aux navigation sensors: additional sensors needed for proper orientation and navigation
• Additional sensors: environmental and other sensors not directly related to navigation;
• Image acquisition: live video / snapshots of surroundings
• Motor controller: accepting control input from CPU and converting it to high-power electric current control
• Propulsion motors: electric drive motors and propellers
• Rudder control: directional control
• Propulsion solar panels: high-power solar harvesting, dedicated to powering main drive motors
• Propulsion battery bank: high-capacity energy storage dedicated to powering main drive motors in the absence of sufficient solar power
• Aux solar panels: additional solar harvesting capacity dedicated to powering navionics 
• Navionics battery bank: navionics battery back-up