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LEVIATHAN I is a next-generation Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) designed, engineered, and assembled by Robo-Tech, a student robotics team from Alexandria University, Egypt. This system is our flagship entry into global competitions like MATE and UMVC, where real-world underwater tasks such as object retrieval, navigation, and inspection are tackled under extreme conditions.
This year, we took the challenge even further by designing an entirely new internal architecture. At the heart of our ROV are multiple custom PCBs, all manufactured by JLCPCB, which allowed us to prototype, iterate, and deploy quickly with high precision and performance. We’re proud to say our system is 100% student-built — from the mechanical design to the embedded code and electronic hardware.
Custom PCB ModulesMain Board One of Robo-Tech’s most substantial improvements this year was the main board. Its sole purpose is to distribute power to the system, generate and process signals, and act as a convergence zone for multiple auxiliary boards. It comprises three main units: the Power Regulation and Distribution Unit (PRDU), Main Control Unit (MCU), and Feedback Unit (FBU).
a) Power Management To cater to the power requirements of the system, multistage conversion is embraced, providing 3.3V, 5V, and 12V levels. The main board is equipped with two powerful Murata DRQ1250 (48–12V) converters, each capable of handling up to 50A load current. In addition, a Fulree converter (48–12V) feeds all the crucial control components such as the Raspberry Pi and sensors. XL4005 converters provide 5V output with current limiting and adjustable voltage, while LD1117 regulators step 5V down to 3.3V for sensors and logic ICs. Filtering capacitors and LEDs assist with diagnostics and protection.
b) Main Control Unit (MCU) Powered by the Raspberry Pi running ROS, this unit features a 16-channel PWM driver and secure SPI/I2C communications, enabling precise control across all peripherals.
c) Feedback Unit (FBU) An integrated IMU, barometric sensor, temperature sensor, and leak detection modules ensure environmental monitoring, PID-based stability, and emergency shutdown when needed.
- ESC Board Supports 6 ESCs with power delivery via bullet connectors and integrated decoupling capacitors.
- Motor Driver Board Custom-made to match our system, optimized for two PWM pins, and built in-house to handle single-motor control efficiently.
- Switching Unit A MOSFET-based, six-channel circuit controls flashes, DC valves, and additional loads. The double-layer PCB with edge connectors ensures easy maintenance.
- PWM Interface Board Features a 16-channel servo driver for isolated PWM signal generation. Includes current sensing for each thruster with auto-alerts for anomalies.
- Protection Board Includes a crowbar circuit, GPIO protection with Zener diodes and resistors, status LEDs, and active cooling to safeguard the Raspberry Pi.
- USB Hub Externally powered hub using the FE1.1S controller. Supports four USB 2.0 ports with overcurrent, ESD, and reverse polarity protection. Enables up to 16 cameras to be used safely.
Marine robotics is an advanced field, and in Egypt, students rarely get access to this level of hands-on experience. That’s why every board matters. Thanks to JLCPCB, we were able to prototype confidently and build a robust system worthy of international competition.
Educational ImpactThis project has allowed our team to gain deep skills in:
Embedded Systems and PCB Design
- Embedded Systems and PCB Design
Signal Integrity and Power Management
- Signal Integrity and Power Management
Systems Integration with ROS
- Systems Integration with ROS
Testing under real environmental constraints
- Testing under real environmental constraints
We’re incredibly grateful for JLCPCB’s past support and hope this project showcases not only the value of their service but also its impact on real student engineers.
Let’s keep building the future together.
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