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Luma Networking

This guide covers the physical wiring and networking setup for Luma coprocessors using PhotonVision.

Physical Networking & Wiring Options

This section covers the recommended and alternative ways to power and connect your P1 coprocessor, including detailed diagrams, safety notes, and best practices for both new and legacy setups.

Off-Robot Networking Requirement

Off-Robot Networking Requirement

When using PhotonVision off the robot, you must connect the coprocessor to a physical router or radio and connect your laptop to that same network. Other networking setups are unreliable and generally unsupported.

The most reliable method for wiring the P1 is to use the Vivid Hosting radio or LumaSwitch PoE output.

Radio PoE Diagram

Radio:

Connect the radio to the P1 using an Ethernet cable. Enable the PoE dipswitch for the port to which it is connected.

LumaSwitch:

Connect an Ethernet cable between the P1 and one of the PoE ports on LumaSwitch. Install a 5A fuse to enable PoE on the selected port.

Warning

When powering P1 via PoE, ensure you are using an ethernet cable that uses at least 24 AWG wire for each conductor. DO NOT use "low profile" ethernet cable.

Using LumaSwitch

If you are using LumaSwitch, use the non-PoE uplink port for the radio connection and only install PoE fuses on ports that should provide passive PoE.

For full switch specifications, mounting, and wiring details, see the LumaSwitch Overview & Mounting.

PoE Injector or Custom PoE Cable

If PoE from the radio is not preferred, or if connecting the P1 to an Ethernet switch, power can be supplied via a PoE injector or custom PoE cable. Use a 5A or 10A fuse in the slot powering the PoE injector or cable.

PoE Diagram

Warning

When powering P1 via PoE, ensure you are using an ethernet cable that uses at least 24 AWG wire for each conductor. DO NOT use "low profile" ethernet cable.

Weidmuller Connector (Redundant/Alternative Power)

If not using PoE, or you would like to have redundant power, P1 can also be powered through the Weidmuller connector next to the ethernet port. Use a 5A or 10A fuse in the slot powering the device.

Weidmuller Diagram

Old Radio (Pre-2025)

Direct radio or switch Ethernet networking remains functional; however, verify the network topology and power settings before use.

Danger

Ensure DIP switches 1 and 2 are OFF on the radio before connecting the coprocessor. Incorrect PoE settings can electrically damage the coprocessor.

Recommended wiring path:

  • radio → switch → coprocessor(s) + laptop

Network Hostname

Rename each device from the default photonvision hostname to a unique value, such as Photon-OrangePi-Left or Photon-RPi5-Back.

  1. Open PhotonVision and go to Settings → Networking.
  2. Change the hostname from photonvision to a unique value.
  3. Use only letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-).

Unique hostnames help you manage multiple coprocessors reliably.

Robot Networking (Static IP)

PhotonVision recommends using static IP addresses on the robot network to ensure reliability.

Warning

Use static IP mode only on your robot network. Do not force static settings on random home networks unless you are comfortable managing local network configuration.

  1. Power the robot and connect your laptop to the robot network.
  2. Open PhotonVision at photonvision.local:5800 (or your current device address).
  3. Go to Settings → Networking.
  4. Enter your team number.
  5. Set IP mode to Static.
  6. Set the coprocessor IP to 10.TE.AM.xx, where xx is unique on your robot (commonly .6 through .19).
  7. Click Save.
  8. Power-cycle the robot and coprocessor.
  9. Reconnect using 10.TE.AM.xx:5800.

Team Number Field Tip

The team number field can also accept a hostname or IP (for example, localhost) when you are testing with a simulated robot program.

Port Forwarding

Note

If you are using a VH-109 radio (2025 and later, excluding China and Taiwan), prefer tethering to the dedicated DS Ethernet port instead of using port forwarding.

To view an Ethernet-connected vision device while tethered over roboRIO USB, use WPILib PortForwarder to forward the PhotonVision web UI port.

PortForwarder.add(5800, "photonvision.local", 5800);

Note

Replace photonvision.local with your actual coprocessor hostname if you changed it.

Camera Stream Ports

  • Camera streams start at ports 1181 and 1182 for camera 1.
  • Each additional camera uses the next two ports (1183/1184, 1185/1186, etc.).
  • A quick way to identify a stream port is to double-click the stream in PhotonVision and check the opened page URL.

Warning

If stream forwarding remaps to a different port than the original stream port, the stream may not render correctly in the UI.

SSH Access (Advanced)

  • SSH is available for advanced troubleshooting/configuration.
  • Default credentials for image v2026.0.3+ are photon / vision.
  • Legacy credentials pi / raspberry may still work, but are expected to be removed in a future release.

Next Steps

After networking is set up, continue with the Calibration Guide.