Chief Delphi - Using an FRC with the RCX?

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Chief Delphi (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/index.php)

- Programming (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51)

- - Using an FRC with the RCX? (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27560)

Astronouth7303

09-04-2004 09:55

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

2 updates:
1. Found gray cable setup.

Code:

GRAY CABLE

 Rx Tx

 Tx Rx

DTR DTR

Gnd Gnd

RTS CTS

CTS RTS

Or am I misinterpreting?

Code:

From front:

1 2 3 4 X

 X 5 6 X



1 2 4 3 X

 X 6 5 X

X's are no connection, numbers mean it's connected to the same number.
Get the idea?

2. What's the TTL output? I was thinking of the possibility of connecting through that. The prog port is used for so much else!

Ryan M.

09-04-2004 18:48

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

2 updates:
1. Found gray cable setup.

Code:

GRAY CABLE

 Rx Tx

 Tx Rx

DTR DTR

Gnd Gnd

RTS CTS

CTS RTS

Or am I misinterpreting?

Code:

From front:

1 2 3 4 X

 X 5 6 X



1 2 4 3 X

 X 6 5 X

X's are no connection, numbers mean it's connected to the same number.
Get the idea?

Where'd you get the info? I'll see if I agree. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

2. What's the TTL output? I was thinking of the possibility of connecting through that. The prog port is used for so much else!

I don't know. You're much better at harware stuff than me. :):)

Gabriel

09-04-2004 20:52

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

I know that its probably more fun to reverse-engineer it, but have you guys thought about talking to LEGO for the specs? I know that they sponsor team 96 and I think their mindstorms engineers work with them.

Astronouth7303

09-04-2004 21:41

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

Why? all the reverse-engineering and spec-finding has been done for us. The most reverse-engineering I've done yet is putting a continuity tester to the original gray cable! And RS-232 has been standardized to death, so it's the easiest protocal to use (at either end!).

Astronouth7303

09-04-2004 22:25

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

The TTL port uses the same transmission format as RS-232 (low start bit, 8 data bits, high stop bit). So if you take a 3-pin cable and attach it the Tx, Rx, and Gnd pins on a DB9 female connector, you can use TTL port instead of the prog port. The macro would need to be changed slightly.

Odd, ifi_utilities.c and printf_lib.c both use 'TXREG', but ifi_picdefs.h defines 'TXREG1' and 'TXREG2'.

Ryan M.

10-04-2004 07:20

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astronouth7303

If you think it'll work, go for it. :)

Astronouth7303

15-04-2004 14:14

Re: Using an FRC with the RCX?: Revision B TTL cable

Use this cable for connecting to the LIRT:

Code:

LIRT  TTL/Dig

DB9F  1x3 Connectors (2x)

  Tx  TTL.Rx

  Rx  TTL.Tx

 Gnd  TTL.Gnd

 RTS  Dig.Sig

 CTS Dig.Gnd

In the LIRT, the RTS and CTS pins are jumpered. Use the Digital connector to find out if the tower is connected (high when it is, low when isn't. So FALSE is CONNECTED, and TRUE is NOT CONNECTED)
The Pin Equivalents are:

Code:

3        TTL.Red

2        TTL.White

5        TTL.Black

7        Dig.White

8        Dig.Black

This is relative to the Male connector, so double check. You need to use a FEMALE connector. I believe you just switch Tx and Rx (RTS and CTS doesn't matter in this case: a jumper's a jumper)

Specific info on what to send can be found in the Mindstorms SDK. (Use v1.5 I believe)

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