In order to control the drone from inside a structure that blocks or interfere with the WiFi signal from the Surface Unit, it is possible to connect the app via a wireless bridge which converts the signal into an Ethernet cable that be routed through the blocking walls/structures and into your device via an USB-Ethernet dongle or docking station. You can also further expand this setup by connecting an external monitor to the device/dongle.
Recommended parts:
-
- Router (recommended): MikroTik Metal 52 ac
- Router (alternative): TP-Link CPE510
- Phone/tablet with USB-C, model tested: Samsung Active Tab 3
- USB-C hub, model tested: Targus DOCK423A
- 2 pieces of ethernet cable
We recommend the MikroTik Metal 52 ac since it works with the Surface Unit out of the box — no reconfiguration of the Surface Unit is needed. If you are using the TP-Link CPE510, follow Option 2 below instead.
Option 1 (recommended): Configure the MikroTik router
The whole configuration is done from the "Quick Set" page in the web interface, no terminal commands needed.
- Connect the MikroTik to its PoE injector ("PoE" port) and connect your PC/tablet to the "LAN" port of the injector. Open http://192.168.88.1 in a browser (default login admin with blank password). Make sure the Quick Set view is selected (button in the top right corner).
- In the mode dropdown at the top of the page, change the mode to CPE.
- In the Wireless section: set Band to 5GHz-A/N/AC and select your Country (required for the scan to find the Blueye network). Select your Blueye WiFi in the network list, enter the WiFi password and press Connect.
- In the Configuration section, set Mode to Bridge. This makes your device get its IP address directly from the Surface Unit, just as if it was connected to the Blueye WiFi.
- In the Bridge section, set Address Acquisition to Automatic.
- Press Apply Configuration.
Your device connected via the MikroTik should now get an IP address in the 192.168.1.X range from the Surface Unit — if it does not, unplug and re-plug the ethernet cable to request a new address. Note that after applying, the MikroTik web interface is no longer reachable on 192.168.88.1; it also receives a 192.168.1.X address from the Surface Unit.
If the Blueye network does not show up in the list, double-check the Band and Country settings, and give the scan a little time — the Surface Unit may be on a radar-detection (DFS) channel which takes up to a minute to appear. You can now skip ahead to the Dive section.
Option 2: Configure the TP-Link router
Step 1: Configure the surface unit (only needed for TP-Link)
In order for the surface unit to be visible to the TP-Link it needs to be configured to channel 100. This step is not needed for the MikroTik router.
Power on the surface unit and connect to its WiFi network.
Open up a web browser and access http://192.168.1.1
When prompted for login credentials the username is root and password is pioneer
Once logged in press "Network" and then "Wireless".
Press "EDIT" on the wireless network.
Choose channel 100.
Press Save and apply, the surface unit will now reboot and it will take 90 seconds to reboot.
Once the network is back online you can proceed to step 2.
Step 2: Configure the TP-Link router
Connect the POE injector (white brick) to a 230V wall socket, and install the two ethernet cables. One cable goes to your USB-C hub (marked "LAN") and the ethernet cable marked "POE" goes to the TP-Link router.
On your tablet/phone/PC set static IP to 192.168.0.10, netmask 255.255.255.0 and leave gateway blank. Then go to your browser to 192.168.0.254. Insert your login credentials (usually admin/admin) and select "Client Mode".
Enter the following IP settings, IP: 192.168.1.254
If you cannot see your Blueye WiFi press "Refresh" and make sure you have completed Step 1 properly. Select the network you intend to use and press connect.
Insert the password of your Blueye WiFi, set distance to 0.1 and press "Next".
Now change the static IP of your PC/tablet/phone back to DHCP, if you don't get an IP address in the 192.168.1.X domain, restart/reconnect to the TP-Link router by unplugging and plugging in the ethernet cable.
Dive
Thats it, you should now be able to connect to your drone and control it via the Blueye app.
If you are replacing the surface unit or want to use another drone later on, you need to redo the router configuration and connect to the correct WiFi name again.
An example of a setup is shown below, where a Xbox controller is connected via USB cable to the hub and HDMI goes to an external monitor.
For other routers:
The WiFi bridge can be any WiFi Access Point that supports "Bridged/Client mode" and we strongly recommend a 5GHz router which supports (5180GHz and upwards) and preferably with omnidirectional antennas. If you have a access point running LEDE/OpenWRT you can follow this tutorial in order to set up the bridge. The additional access point needs to act as a client connecting to the Surface unit and should forward any DHCP requests to the Surface Unit so you phone/tablet will get an IP-address on the same sub-net as the Surface Unit (192.168.1.0/24).
Some routers might have a "Channel Limit", try to disable this and scan again. Once the Bridge/Access point has locked onto the Surface Unit you can take the Ethernet cable from the PC and connect it to the Ethernet dongle to your device.
Keep in mind if you use a USB-C hub with Ethernet dongle and a HDMI output the phone might need additional power through the hub.
If you need further assistance setting up a customized setup like this please contact us at support@blueye.no and refer to this article.
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