I don't have any provisions for an encoder on the wheels. Also, the accelerometer will tell me what angle it is at, but I think you are right in saying that I need a gyro too. TLB's homebuilt doesn't have encoders so I don't think I need them because his works pretty well.
More than theory on how it works, what I was really looking for is
what specific parts do I need to make it work?
TLB uses an Amtel controller programmed in C. Is it really faster than a BS2 programmed in PBASIC? On his dual wheel scooter, he sends serial commands to the speed control but in his eunicylcle he uses the microcontroller to generate PWM signals to the speed control.
First, I need to know if my Robowars IBC controller will be as capable as the one he has (not in terms of voltage and current but in terms of response time and frequency, etc)
Here is mine:
http://robotcombat.com/marketplace_robowars.html
Here is his (x2):
http://robotcombat.com/marketplace_robotpower.html
If my speed control will not work, please explain why.
TLB has his eunicycle code on his website. How does one go about getting this code from the PC computer to the microcontroller? I assume there is a special program/loader needed? Also, how does the microcontroller connect to the computer?
TLB uses a board from here
http://www.bdmicro.com/ but I'm not sure exactly which one. Any ideas?
For the gyro and accelerometer, he uses this
http://www.rotomotion.com/prd_REV2.4.2DOFA.html but it is out of stock and quite pricey. It says it is filtered and amplified which I assume are features necessary for this sort of project?
I was thinking that my motors are probably just about at capable as his, but my electronics are not. So, I was thinking that if I duplicated his electronics on my machine, then I could start with his code, and then at least I'd be on the right track to success.
However, his electronics seem a little pricey (the gyro and accelerometer mainly). Are there any alternatives? Or is anything that does the job really going to cost that much?
Also, his website explains the concepts very well but leaves out some of the details like how the gyro and accelerometer interface with the microcontroller, and how the microcontroller gets programmed. I'm hoping someone here can fill in those blanks for me.
Once again, thanks for all the help. I usually don't come right out and put my projects up on the line for public viewing until they have some degree of success, but I couldn't achieve any with this one so far, so I had to call upon all you for help. I really hope by the time regionals come around (hopefully much sooner actually) that I can have this thing balancing like a pro!