RMW Configuration

This guide details how to configure the RMW implementation for the first time if using the ROS Interface.

ROS 1 Interface & Create® 3

There is no need to configure the RMW on ROS 1. This is because the ROS 1 Interface uses rmw_fastrtps_cpp which is great at working with multi-device networks. We also use ros1_bridge on the LoCoBot's computer which allows the remote computer to see the ROS 2 topics/services/actions from the Create® 3.

ROS 2 Interface & Create® 3

Note

This guide assumes that you have run the ROS 2 Software Setup for both your LoCoBot and remote computers.

The ROS 2 Interface uses rmw_cyclonedds_cpp as its RMW and requires a small amount of manual configuration to get started. The process is as follows:

LoCoBot Computer

1. Log into the LoCoBot's computer using SSH or by directly plug in a mouse and keyboard.

2. Open a terminal on your LoCoBot's computer by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

3. Get the name of your wireless network connection with the command:

   $ ifconfig | grep wl | cut -d ":" -f1
   

   Note

   The name of wireless network interfaces typically start with the characters "wl". If the command returns nothing, use the full ifconfig command and look for the Wireless connection.

4. If from Trossen Robotics, or if the installation script was run for a ROS 2 installation, the LoCoBot cyclonedds config file should be in the LoCoBot's home directory. Open it in an editor:

   $ nano ~/cyclonedds_config_locobot.xml
   

   The config file will look something like:

   <CycloneDDS
       xmlns="https://cdds.io/config"
       xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
       xsi:schemaLocation="https://cdds.io/config https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eclipse-cyclonedds/cyclonedds/master/etc/cyclonedds.xsd">
       <Domain>
           <General>
               <NetworkInterfaceAddress>eno1,${WIRELESS_INTERFACE}</NetworkInterfaceAddress>
           </General>
       </Domain>
   </CycloneDDS>
   

5. Change ${WIRELESS_INTERFACE} to the name of your wireless network interface. For example, if your wireless network interface's name is wlan0, the configuration file should look like:

   <CycloneDDS
       xmlns="https://cdds.io/config"
       xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
       xsi:schemaLocation="https://cdds.io/config https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eclipse-cyclonedds/cyclonedds/master/etc/cyclonedds.xsd">
       <Domain>
           <General>
               <NetworkInterfaceAddress>eno1,wlan0</NetworkInterfaceAddress>
           </General>
       </Domain>
   </CycloneDDS>
   

6. Restart the ROS 2 daemon on your LoCoBot's computer (or restart the computer).

   $ ros2 daemon stop
   The daemon has been stopped
   $ ros2 daemon start
   The daemon has been started
   

Remote Computer

1. Open a terminal on your remote computer by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. Get the name of your wireless network connection with the command:

   $ ifconfig | grep wl | cut -d ":" -f1
   

   Note

   The name of wireless network interfaces typically start with the characters "wl". If the command returns nothing, use the full ifconfig command and look for the Wireless connection.

3. If the remote software setup script was run specifying a ROS 2 installation, the remote cyclonedds config file should be in your home directory. Open the cyclonedds config file in an editor:

   $ nano ~/cyclonedds_config_remote.xml
   

   The config file will look something like:

   <CycloneDDS
       xmlns="https://cdds.io/config"
       xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
       xsi:schemaLocation="https://cdds.io/config https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eclipse-cyclonedds/cyclonedds/master/etc/cyclonedds.xsd">
       <Domain>
           <General>
               <DontRoute>true</DontRoute>
               <NetworkInterfaceAddress>${WIRELESS_INTERFACE}</NetworkInterfaceAddress>
           </General>
       </Domain>
   </CycloneDDS>
   

4. Change ${WIRELESS_INTERFACE} to the name of your wireless network interface. For example, if your wireless network interface's name is wlan0, the configuration file should look like:

   <CycloneDDS
       xmlns="https://cdds.io/config"
       xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
       xsi:schemaLocation="https://cdds.io/config https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eclipse-cyclonedds/cyclonedds/master/etc/cyclonedds.xsd">
       <Domain>
           <General>
               <DontRoute>true</DontRoute>
               <NetworkInterfaceAddress>wlan0</NetworkInterfaceAddress>
           </General>
       </Domain>
   </CycloneDDS>
   

5. Restart the ROS 2 daemon on your remote computer (or restart the computer).

   $ ros2 daemon stop
   The daemon has been stopped
   $ ros2 daemon start
   The daemon has been started