Basic understanding of MAVROS, Quadrocopter, UAV

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Hey,

I just want to ask if I understood that right: MAVROS or better the MAVLink communication protocol con be used to communicate between a companion computer(with ROS installed on an Ubuntu OS) conntected via serial to an autopilot board(e.g: PX4, ArduPilot APM Mega 2.5). Moreover MAVLINK Protocol can be used to communicate over the autopilot connected hardware e.g: 3DR Radio modul 433MHz to a Ground Control System (e.g: mission Planer 2 etc.)

Now what I would like to know is: (1) What kind of Companion Computer do you suggest? (e.g: Erle Copter just uses an ARM Cortex A8) but I would like to use an Intel nuc board instead? Do you think this is too heavy?

(2) Would you suggest controlling the UAV via SSH via Wifi Connection via intel nuc board wifi card instead of using the MAVLINK and the 3DR Radio modul? (this is probably a matter of range is it not?)

(3) What is the difference between MAVLINK and MAVROS? I thought MAVROS is dependend on MAVLINK but what is MAVROS then?

(4) Ah if somebody knows the Erle Brain 2 powering a Erle copter ist just an autopilot or? Or is it kind of both a companion computer and a autopilot board which are communicating via MAVLINK Protocol?

Hope you can help me in understanding this :) Best Markus

Edit: Hey Marco, Wow Thank you so much for your explained answer. I just want to make sure I got everything right:

So generally you can you say MAVLInk is the communication protocl used for the communication between a Groud Station and an Autopilot. Whereas Mavros can be used if you have a companion pc connected to your autopilot to communicate (publish subscribe topics etc.) with your autopilot. Ok I think I got that!

(1) Yeah we are just thinking about a companion computer using an intel nuc but as far as I know I only saw Rasperi Pis, Banana Pis arduino boards, beagle Boards but almost never an nuc because of weight probably.

(2) Wow that is really helpfull and good to know what datalink is preferable. Yeah I also read that e.g. Ascending Technologies uses a XBee Link. See more last point what I found out about datalinks:

(4) Yeah what I do not get the Erle Brain is kind of both autopilot and companion Computer or? I mean it is both on one board is it not?!

Best Markus

Additional: Datalinks: https://www.google.de/url?sa=t&rct=j&...

When applying the 2G and 3G networking services in the field of UAVs, the use of a regular (commercial) cellular network may not be practical due to potential coverage problems in remote areas and high operational costs [8]. However, it is possible to implement the cellular concept with a self-created network [9] in which a cellular base station such as an IP.Access nanoBTS [10] module represents the fixed infrastructure side of the network. In combination ...