Rookie help

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

Will the default EDU code have stuff that i can just upload and make it work, just to learn the workings?

Yes. Start with that. Also get the EDU documentation from the innovationfirst.com website:
http://innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobo...04-Jan-14a.pdf
http://innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobo...10-15-2003.pdf
http://innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobo...t_02-16-04.zip

[doyler]

And I just use MPLAB IDE to mess with it right?

Also, what kind of code am i looking for just to make these things move for starters

What code(s) will I have to upload as well?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

And I just use MPLAB IDE to mess with it

Also, what kind of code am i looking for just to make these things move for starters

Yes, learn to use MPLAB.
How about putting something like this where it says "/* Add your own code here. */" in the file "user_routines.c" in the routine "Process_Data_From_Master_uP"

static unsigned char servo1=0; //Put these two lines right before the "Getdata" call
static unsigned char counter=0; // ditto
 
//Put these lines after "Add your own code"
 
if (counter < 20) // about half a second in the slow loop
counter++;
else
{
counter = 0;
 
if (servo1 < 255)
	servo1++; // servo1 will slowly step through each of it’s positions
else
	servo1 = 0; // servo1 will quickly reset to the zero position
}
pwm03 = servo1;

[doyler]

Thank you, i will fiddle and learn from that code (is user routines akin to autonomous cause i dont know how im gonna make them move if it isnt)

1 more question (i hope) how and what do i upload to my controller now?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

Thank you, i will fiddle and learn from that

1 more question (i hope) how and what do i upload to my controller now?

Here are the basic steps:

1. You’ll need to install MPLAB, IFI_Loader, and the mcc18 compiler on your computer.
2. Download the default EDU code from http://innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobo...umentation.htm (this will have a default.hex file that can be downloaded into the controller without having to edit anything with MPLAB) Save the original .zip file so you can restore the default code if some edit goes terribly wrong.

To edit the default code:

1. Start MPLAB
2. Select File -> Open Workspace…
3. Browse to the EDU default code folder
4. Open Default.mcw
5. Make your code changes
6. Use the “Build All” icon or select Project -> Build All (this will create a .hex file)

Start IFI_Loader

1. Browse to the default code folder
2. Select “Default.hex”
3. Connect the serial cable from your computer to the EDU controller
4. Turn on the EDU controller
5. Press the “Prog” button until the program light turns orange
6. Click on “Download” in IFI_Loader

Your program will start running.

[doyler]

C:\...\EDU_Default_02-16-04\user_routines.c:249:Error: syntax error
Halting build on first failure as requested.
BUILD FAILED: Mon Dec 20 16:36:48 2004

here is the snippet i edited

/*******************************************************************************
* FUNCTION NAME: Process_Data_From_Master_uP
* PURPOSE:       Executes every 17ms when it gets new data from the master 
*                microprocessor.
* CALLED FROM:   main.c
* ARGUMENTS:     none
* RETURNS:       void
*******************************************************************************/
void Process_Data_From_Master_uP(void)
{
  Getdata(&rxdata);   /* Get fresh data from the master microprocessor. */

  Default_Routine();  /* Optional.  See below. */

  /* Add your own code here. */

  static char servo1=0;
  static char counter=0;
 
  if (counter < 20) // about half a second in the slow loop
    counter++;
  else
  {
     counter = 0;
     if (servo1 < 254)
	   servo1++; // servo1 will slowly step through each of it’s positions
     else
  	   servo1 = 0; // servo1 will quickly reset to the zero position
  }
  pwm03 = servo1;

  printf("PWM OUT 7 = %d, PWM OUT 8 = %d\n",(int)pwm07,(int)pwm08);  /* printf EXAMPLE */

  Putdata(&txdata);             /* DO NOT CHANGE! */
}

(sorry if i am being annoying, im just new at this)

[Mark McLeod]

Variable declarations must be at the very beginning of a routine. I noted that above in an edit after my original post. Sorry about that.

Originally Posted by doyler

/*******************************************************************************
* FUNCTION NAME: Process_Data_From_Master_uP
* PURPOSE: Executes every 17ms when it gets new data from the master 
* microprocessor.
* CALLED FROM: main.c
* ARGUMENTS: none
* RETURNS: void
*******************************************************************************/
void Process_Data_From_Master_uP(void)
{
static unsigned char servo1=0;
static unsigned char counter=0;
Getdata(&rxdata); /* Get fresh data from the master microprocessor. */
 
Default_Routine(); /* Optional. See below. */
 
/* Add your own code here. */
 
if (counter < 20) // about one 1/3 second in the slow loop
counter++;
else
{
counter = 0;
if (servo1 < 255)
	 servo1++; // servo1 will slowly step through each of it’s positions
else
	 servo1 = 0; // servo1 will quickly reset to the zero position
}
pwm03 = servo1;
 
printf("PWM OUT 7 = %d, PWM OUT 8 = %d\n",(int)pwm07,(int)pwm08); /* printf EXAMPLE */
 
Putdata(&txdata); /* DO NOT CHANGE! */
}

(sorry if i am being annoying, im just new at this)

You're not annoying. I like to help you get started.

[doyler]

Error - Source file 'C:\...\ifi_utilities.c' name exceeds file format maximum of 62 characters.


silly mplab

[edit]

hmm, do i need to install my usb to serial converter?

[/edit]

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

Error - Source file 'C:\...\ifi_utilities.c' name exceeds file format maximum of 62 characters.


silly mplab

Have that default code folder sitting on your desktop don't you?

[doyler]

yeah, but i have a keyspan usb -> serial

does xp not auto add it?

[edit]

Build Succeeded!

now to add it to the controler

[/edit]

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

yeah, but i have a keyspan usb -> serial

does xp not auto add it?

XP will. [edit2] But you probably have to install that particular device driver the first time. An install CD should have come with the converter, or you might be able to download the driver from keyspan.

Are you getting a download error using IFI_Loader?
Sometimes those adaptors auto connect to a different COM port than it advertises. You can run through and try all the possible COM ports in IFI_Loader by choosing "PortSettings" and COM1, try to download, then COM2, and try to download, etc.

[edit]
I misunderstood.
Do you have the controller or will you try that later?

For those of you reading along...
The error doyler got was because one of the path and filenames was too long for MPLAB to handle. Combined they cannot be more than 62 characters or so. The usual solution is to keep the directory for all your FIRST code at the top level of the C drive, i.e., "C:\FIRST" not on your desktop because that's really at "C:\Documents and Settings\doyler\Desktop\" which is already 41 characters long.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by doyler

keyspan usb -> serial

How about getting the driver from here?
http://www.keyspan.com/downloads/win/

[doyler]

2 questions
For that code do i have to plug them into certain pwm outs?
Also, will my code just start?