Sensors made by other companies?

[jeffmorris]

Is it possible to use sensors made by other companies on robots made using Vex Robotics Kits? Do I have to do custom programming? One example is PING))) Ultrasonic Range Finder made for Parallax robots. It has pins for power, ground, and signal.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by jeffmorris

Is it possible to use sensors made by other companies on robots made using Vex Robotics Kits? Do I have to do custom programming? One example is PING))) Ultrasonic Range Finder made for Parallax robots. It has pins for power, ground, and signal.

Yes, custom sensors of any kind can be used with the Vex kits, as long as they are 5v sensors. If they are not five volt sensors, they will not interface with the Vex controller. Besides that, any custom limit switch, analog sensor, or interrupt sensor (such as the custom Ultrasonics) can be used successfully with the Vex kits.

To program them, sinply use one of the generic GetAnalogInput() or GetDigitalInput() functions in EasyC. If you are using an interrupt type sensor, you will need to use the interrupt functions. I have used IR short/long and the Parallax ultrasonic sensors on Vex robots with success.

[jeffmorris]

artdutra04, How do I connect the PING))) Ultrasonic Range Finder to the VEX Micro Controller? How do I program the sensor?