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Unread 29-09-2006, 00:40
yongkimleng yongkimleng is offline
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Re: SPI Port on Robot Controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianBSL
I've thought about this a bit and I think I decided it won't work. IIRC, the relay ports go through a buffer so that they get disabled when the RC is disabled, as they are hooked up to the user microprocessor. I doubt it is bidirectional, so I don't know if this would work.

You should be able to impliment SPI or I2C through bit-bang techniques in software and using the interrupt ports.
imho the port pins are configured to function as GPIO pins in the first place. As relay controls, the pins may be connected to transistors or FETs. Hence they loose the ability to "read" data. The frequeny response would be slower with external components. Not very familiar with the SPI protocol, it may not be possible to implement it. Can give it a try though.. but I think its easier using the TTL serial port (I know theres one on the mini RC, not sure about the full size one) and perhaps have a serial-spi bridge using a low-end controller
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