how to build a VEX programming module
 

After spending a good deal of time playing with the VEX kit and the people from Radio Shack over the past week, I'd like to try to build a cable to program the VEX microcontroller.

The board is basically the same as the IFI board that used to be dubbed "Isac" from what I hear. I'm not familiar with the IFI boards, but there's software out there to program them. From what I hear, that software can be used to program the VEX board. All you really need is the right pinout for the connector (and possibly a telephone chord with all 6 wires in it).

With a brief time using a DMM, I've found that the red telephone wire goes to the Vss pins of th the PIC chips. Other than that, there were no obvious (not run through a capacitor or resistor) connections to the pins of the PIC chip.

I'm sure that there's interest out there in producing this cable, so if anyone out there has any thoughts that would help, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks guys.

~Ben

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

I intend on getting a VEX kit in the near future, and as it is driven by two PIC microcontrollor chips, the ability to create our own periphials should be easy. I too will join you in the quest for unlocking the secrets of VEX.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

I found that pins 1-3 are Tx1, Rx1, and Gnd, respectively, for UART 1 on the user uP. The only major difference between the Vex controller's serial port and that of the Edu controller is that there is no onboard TTL - RS232 converter. All I did to build a module is convert the TTL signals to RS232 signals with a MAX232 chip from TI and then use IFI Loader to communicate with the Vex controller. The other pins on the Vex's serial port are control lines RTS and CTS, and the actual line that puts the controller in program state (similar to what the program button does for the other IFI controllers. I used a 25' 6-conductor telethone cable from RadioShack (part #279-422) and then put a button on the module that will put the controller in program state.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

I have a max 232 chip already from another project I am working on. It was my PDA Bot project that seems to just be kinda stuck in limbo. Perhaps I'll find a way to merge the two projects. The goal for PDA bot was to be able to feed it exact positions, and to use a gps, and onboard navigation sensors, to get to that position. Well, the ideas are growing and I am still unable to afford the kit (will take me about two weeks before i'll have enough). So, soon, very soon, I'll have the kit, and I will be building. Soon after that I should have the resources to have a VEX team started, and start teaching some kids.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Pinout for the Vex serial port is as follows:

1 - Tx for UART 1 on the user uP - White
2 - Rx for UART 1 on the user uP - Black
3 - Gnd - Red
4 - RB0 on the master uP - Green
5 - +5v - Yellow
6 - RJ3 on the master uP - Blue

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Sweet, that'll save me some time. Good information to have.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

If you don't mind, what pins did you use for the program button? I assume you tied either pin 4 or pin 6 to either ground or +5. Also, does the switch need to be a constant on/off or does it need a momentary switch similar to the "hotsync" button on a PalmOS pda?

I'm obviously not very familiar with the hardware, so I appreciate your help. Now that you have a working programmer, could you post a schematic of some sort?

~Ben

Additional realizations:
The color / pin number correlation depends on which end of the phone cord you're looking at. In the above pinout, looking at the end of the phone cable with the little springy catch on top, which side is the white wire?

Assuming pin one is on the left and is white, I'm also seeing +5v on pins 1, 4 and 6. Also, the "program" LED on my board is on. Is that normal?

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Standard telco RJ11 Connectors use is as follows:
Working at at telco has a few perks after all.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Nice. However, that doesn't clear up whether the above pinout assumes pin one is white or blue...or more clearly whether pin one is to the left or right with the little catch mechanism at the top or bottom.

Regardless, it's nice to know what color actually lines up with what pin. Thanks!

~Ben

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Has anyone put any kind of more simple howto tutorial on this up? Maybe with some pictures and the tools used? Also, has anayone tried figuring out the signals to send to Rx1 and Rx2 to control the robot? I'm not really too interested in programming the microcontroller. I'd just like to hook it up so that my laptop can control its movements and be notified of the interupts.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

ok. i've gotten a 7 foot six conductor straight through rj11 cable from jameco, a max232 and a couple of jacks with wires hanging handily out the back, all for considerably less than the 25 foot monstrosity available at radio shack would have cost. 'til you factor in the shipping of course. but i would have had to order the max232 and the jacks anyway.

so here's my question. which pin does the program button use? i'm guessing rb3, since that port, assuming i've pulled up the right data sheet, can trigger interrupts. also i'm guessing i should connect the switch to ground since port b has internal pull ups.

another question might be has anyone figured out the function of the pin that connects to rj3?

lastly, has anyone got a clue about the api? is it too much to hope that libraries from the other ifi controllers, (with none of which have i any experience), would work?

well, that's it for now. time to hit the shower and head to work.

thanks.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

thanks, fowlerm.

now i've got something to read this weekend.

just wondering... is it cool to distribute this code? haven't come across licensing information, yet.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

ouch. should have checked out the cost of the compiler before i bought the robot.

let's see.

$299.00
+ $595.00
----------
$894.00

suddenly i don't feel so good. if the bite for the vex programming kit is going to be anything like this i can see why they released the hardware four months ahead of the development tools.

just for suckers like me.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

You can use the Student Edition C18 compiler from Microchip which is free. The only difference is that the Extended Instuction set optimizations are disabled after 60 days, but the compiler is still completely functional with the standard PIC18 instruction set beyond the 60 day mark.

The download link to the Vex default code should be on vexlabs.com when it is released, or you can email info@innovationfirst.com to get it now if you really want it.

Re: how to build a VEX programming module
 

Thanks, that's a big help.
The starter kit is a little underwhelming without programming capability