Programming with Radio

[seanwitte]

Originally Posted by Doug G

I slowed the port down on WinXP and it had no effect. It seems like IFI Loader software needs to be slowed down to 9600 - but there is no option for that. Any programmers willing to write their Loader with a slower baud rate?

The baud rate is embedded in the bootloader as well, so you probably will not be able to change it. There are some bluetooth serial adapters at www.aircable.net that look pretty cool. They are expensive ($70.00 each) but still cheaper than most other wireless serial solutions I've seen.

[Doug G]

Originally Posted by seanwitte

There are some bluetooth serial adapters at www.aircable.net that look pretty cool. They are expensive ($70.00 each) but still cheaper than most other wireless serial solutions I've seen.

Those "Stamper" modems were $350! I'll go play with my BoeBot now. Sniff, Sniff...

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Doug G

Those "Stamper" modems were $350! I'll go play with my BoeBot now. Sniff, Sniff...

I've been looking into inexpensive solutions for wireless programming and came across the SMiRF at SparkFun Electronics (near the bottom of the "Wireless Communication" page). The SMiRF can't currently work at 115.2K, but Nathan Seidle is considering a version that can. He'd love to gauge the interest in such a product, so feel free to e-mail him at spark@sparkfun.com.

While on the topic of the SMiRF, I've got a set of SMiRFs sending out debugging info at 38.4K using the robot controller's TTL serial port. I can also send data to the robot using this arrangement. I could share the code if there is interest <grin>. If I get time tonight, I'll start a new thread on this subject.

-Kevin

Disclaimer: Other than being a satisfied customer, I have no interest (financially, or otherwise) in SparkFun Electronics.

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by Kevin Watson

...I've got a set of SMiRFs sending out debugging info at 38.4K using the robot controller's TTL serial port. I can also send data to the robot using this arrangement...

Kevin,

I looked over the SMiRF v2 specsheet and it looks like an interesting project.

However, before we have a lot students jumping on this:

1. This would be illegal to use at a competition (Rule R52 from last year).
2. While the SMiRF has 30,000 pair capability, it would be almost(*) impossible to use these in the pits at a competition. The reason is that they built to seek out active links (not avoid them).

(*) Each team could be assigned a unique channel number (for a regional) and would have to share channels via unique addresses at a national.

Having said that, I am very interested in investigating this for developing code. Please let me know if I can help.

As far as wireless programming is concerned, I feel it may be a waste of time. We bought into the old controller Screamers and used them once or twice. A cable was just as easy and you have to push the program button anyway. We invested in a very long DB9 cable and it has served us very well.

my $0.02

Regards,

Mike

[Darklighter]

our tea is having a skirmish soon, and I've been asking around 'cause I was wondering if anyone has found a way to build a device to switch the channels on the bot so all of us are on different channels. I think it's called a doggle or something like that. It's the device you use to set all your team channels before the match.

[devicenull]

Originally Posted by Darklighter

our tea is having a skirmish soon, and I've been asking around 'cause I was wondering if anyone has found a way to build a device to switch the channels on the bot so all of us are on different channels. I think it's called a doggle or something like that. It's the device you use to set all your team channels before the match.

That's a bit off topic here.. but its pretty simple to do. The pinout for the competition port is available at http://www.ifirobotics.com/docs/comp...guide-reva.pdf. Its pretty simple to just connect the two pins together, pin 12 to 8, Plug that into the competition port on the OI before you turn anything on, and play with the channel dipswitch thing. Read through the manual about channels.. its in there I think

[Alan Anderson]

Following the hijacked thread for a moment--

Grounding the "practice" pin on the competition port is not necessary to access the alternate channels on the 2005 OI. What is necessary is to select a team number greater than 1024, which is somewhat inconvenient. I'd really like to see the Competition Port channel select pins documented (and sanctioned) eventually.

[russell]

I would love a wireless programmer. And on the issue of pressing the button you could program the RC to do that itself using a little relay. I think that this is essentially what those things someone linked to earlier do, but it shouldnt be beyond the abilities of some FIRSTers to set up a wireless network that converts RS232 data to whatever it uses then back again should it? I couldnt personally do it, but I would be willing to provide moral support... . Or if they get the higher baud transceivers that Kevin was talking about that would be even better.