Silvus SL5200 Radio integration Guide for ARK Jetson PAB Carrier
Last updated
Last updated
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for integrating the Silvus SL5200 MIMO radio system with the ARK Jetson PAB Carrier, enabling seamless deployment in UAV and robotic platforms.
It covers hardware connections, software configuration, and troubleshooting tips to establish a robust, high-throughput wireless link over a private Silvus MN-MIMO mesh network. Standard IP networking features such as multicast support, adaptive data rates, and self-forming mesh capabilities are leveraged to ensure resilient communication in dynamic environments.
Whether you're configuring a new vehicle or upgrading an existing system, this integration guide ensures a reliable connection between the Jetson-based companion computer and your ground control station—optimized for use with ROS2, PX4, MAVLink, and other ARK Electronics software frameworks.
The Silvus SL5200 radio requires external power to operate reliably. We recommend using the ARK 12S Payload Power Module, which provides regulated and protected power suitable for airborne and mobile robotics platforms.
In addition to powering the SL5200, connect an Ethernet cable from the radio's LAN port directly to the Ethernet port on the ARK Jetson PAB Carrier. This connection enables high-throughput data exchange between the Jetson companion computer and the mesh network formed by the Silvus radios.
⚠️ Ensure all connections are secure and that antennas are properly attached to avoid damage during operation.
You should connect your SL5200 radio to your PC for the Network setup using the Ethernet cable.
After establishing a connection to the Silvus SL5200 radio via Ethernet, you must configure a static IP address on your host machine within the 172.19.0.0/16 subnet in order to communicate with the radio network.
The process for assigning a static IP address varies depending on your operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
For Windows 10 or Later
Open the Control Panel and go to the Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings on the left sidebar.
Right-click the Ethernet adapter connected to the radio and choose Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Manually set the IP address to a value within the 172.19.6.0/16 subnet.
For example, use:
IP address: 172.19.6.100
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
Default gateway: 172.19.6.1 (optional, but recommended)
⚠️ These IP addresses are statically assigned. Be sure not to reuse an IP address that is already in use on the network to avoid conflicts.
Refer to the figure below for a visual guide on manually configuring the IP address in Windows.
For Linux:
Then you should navigate to the IP of your radio in your browser.
When setting up the Silvus SL5200 radio, it’s important to configure the following parameters to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your application. These settings can typically be found in the radio's web-based management interface.
Frequency (MHz):
Specifies the operating frequency of the radio signal. A drop-down menu allows you to select from available frequencies.
Recommended setting: 2220 MHz
⚠️ Use caution when selecting frequencies. Operating in or near common Wi-Fi bands may lead to interference. Consult your local radio spectrum regulations to ensure compliance and avoid conflicts.
Bandwidth: Defines the RF bandwidth of the transmitted signal. This value determines data rate and spectrum occupancy. Default value is generally sufficient for most use cases.
Network ID: Used to create separate clusters of radios operating on the same frequency. Radios will only communicate with others that share the same Network ID, enabling parallel networks without cross-talk.
Link Distance (meters): Set this to the maximum expected distance between any two radios in the network. This parameter ensures the system allows enough time for packets to travel over the air. Recommendation: Set the link distance 10–15% longer than the actual maximum separation between nodes.
Total Transmit Power (requested): Determines the total output power of the signal, which is divided equally across all antenna ports. Note: Use only the necessary power for your application to conserve energy and comply with local transmission limits. For our tests, a low power setting has proven sufficient.
Routing Mode: Configures the mesh networking mode. Since Large Network mode requires a license and is not available outside the U.S., we recommend using Legacy mode for compatibility and ease of setup.
Transmit/Receive Channels: Allows user to Enable or Disable each channel on the radio for TX/RX (each RF port is a channel). We have enabled both channels.
Serial Port Configuration: RS-232
To establish RS-232 communication through the Silvus SL5200 radio, ensure the serial settings are correctly configured on both ends of the link.
RS-232 Serial Port Settings
The following parameters must match on both communicating devices:
Baud Rate
Data Bits
Parity
Stop Bits
Software Flow Control: Disabled
Transport Protocol:
UDP is recommended for low-latency applications.
If no data loss can be tolerated, use TCP on the radio corresponding to the air-side device.
Peer IP: Set this to the IP address of the radio connected to the other end of the RS-232 link.
For example, if configuring the ground-side radio, set the Peer IP to the IP of the air-side radio.
⚠️ Note: Both radios should share the same configuration, except for the Peer IP, which must point to the opposing unit.
After completing these settings, you can connect the radio to the Jetson via Ethernet to enable network communication.
The setup process for the ground station radio is largely similar to that of the air-side unit.
Configuring Static IP for the Ground Radio (SC4200E)
To ensure reliable communication with the air unit and associated systems, assign a static IP address to the Silvus StreamCaster 4200E (SC4200E) that resides within the same subnet as the radio network.
Example Configuration
If the air-side radio (or the radio connected to the Jetson) uses the IP address 172.20.147.5, then configure the ground radio with:
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0 (/16)
IP address: A unique address in the same subnet, such as 172.20.147.200
Note: Ensure the chosen IP does not conflict with the air unit or any other device on the network.
Configuration via Terminal (Linux using nmcli)
If you are configuring the SC4200E from a Linux-based interface (e.g., Ubuntu running on the radio or a connected ground computer), use the following nmcli commands to set a static IP:
Once the static IP address is assigned, you can access the radio’s web interface by navigating to its IP address in a browser.
Use the same configuration settings as previously described for the air unit. The key difference is the Peer IP — this should be set to the IP address of the air-side radio.
This ensures proper two-way communication between the ground and air units.
You can then view all connected devices by navigating to the Network Topology section in the radio’s web interface.
After completing the setup, you should update your computer’s static IP address to match the subnet of the AIR unit's IP. This ensures continued access and communication with the air-side radio during normal operation.
On Windows:
Go to Network & Sharing Center → Adapter settings
Right-click your Ethernet → Properties → IPv4
Manually set IP to: 172.19.6.100
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
Gateway: 172.19.6.1
After connecting the radio, you can SSH into the pre-flashed Jetson via USB to continue configuration or verify connectivity.
Once connected via SSH, set a static IP address on the Jetson that matches the radio network’s subnet. This allows seamless communication with the Silvus radio and other devices on the mesh network.
After setting the static IP, you can disconnect the USB connection and restart the Jetson. Once it reboots, you should be able to SSH into the Jetson over the network via the IP address you assigned.
