File System for the RC

[JimGRobot]

It's a little early to mention this, since the code isn't finished, but I can't wait.
Take a look at this cool product that will make it very easy to let the robot control code talk to an SD memory module:

http://www.chipdos.com/

I have always been annoyed that you have to recompile the control program to implement changes to an autonomous program or script. Using this device, you can use short text strings to specify the steps of an autonomous script, and simply edit the file on the SD module connected to your PC, plug the SD back into the RC, and off you go.

I am going to use the SPI interface to talk to this thing, since in the RC environment a synchronous protocol is easier to deal with than async. In this case it can be done with bit-banging on 5 digital I/O pins.

Another thing, it runs on 3.3 VDC, so make sure and have a regulator on hand. Even though the power supply is 3.3 volts, it can interface with 5 volt control signals.

I will post more as I figure it out.

Jim

[EHaskins]

I just bought this module from spark fun. I havn't had a chance to test it yet, but it looks good.

[JimGRobot]

I first found this device on www.sparkfun.com, but ended up buying a slightly different one from ChipDos...

I like the connector on the Spark Fun version better...

Jim

Originally Posted by EHaskins

I just bought this module from spark fun. I havn't had a chance to test it yet, but it looks good.

[EHaskins]

So after I saw you r post I decided to try to make my module work, and I found some info you might find useful.

http://www.sparkfun.com/cgi-bin/phpb...ight=dosonchip
http://www.sparkfun.com/cgi-bin/phpb...ight=dosonchip

[EHaskins]

Have you been able to make a DOSonCHIP module to work at all?

[JimGRobot]

BTW, thanks for the very informative links...

I haven't even powered mine up yet, as I am waiting for the 3.3 volt regulator I ordered...

Originally, I tried to order the development board from ChipDos, but they quoted January delivery, so I changed the order to the plain module. That is why I bought from them instead of Spark Fun.

I would like to get it running from a terminal first because it should be easier to deal with, then I will move on to SPI.

Jim

[JimGRobot]

I found information on another similar product from one of the links you sent:

http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant....go ry_Code=FF

I will continue with the ChipDos one, since I already have it, and it looks simpler to use. There are many complaints about it, but some people have been able to make it work. I think this will be a handy device to have on the robot...

Jim

[JimGRobot]

Sorry for the delays, I finally got around to making this module work. It has some annoying qualities, but I think we will be able to use it for the upcoming 2007 season.

I will be posting about this project on a blog that I finally set up here: http://www.techranch.com/blog/

Thanks,
Jim

[Bharat Nain]

Originally Posted by JimGRobot

Sorry for the delays, I finally got around to making this module work. It has some annoying qualities, but I think we will be able to use it for the upcoming 2007 season.

I will be posting about this project on a blog that I finally set up here: http://www.techranch.com/blog/

Thanks,
Jim

If you don't mind, what are it's annoying qualities and good ones?

[EHaskins]

Did you get the SPI working or are you just using an rs232-TTL converter?

[Venkatesh]

To talk to CF cards with FAT filesystems, you might be able to use code and designs from Minty MP3 (http://www.ladyada.net/make/minty/). There is code for a PIC18 under the firmware section (fat16.c and cf.c).

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

To talk to CF cards with FAT filesystems, you might be able to use code and designs from Minty MP3 (http://www.ladyada.net/make/minty/). There is code for a PIC18 under the firmware section (fat16.c and cf.c).

Interestingly enough, CF is pin-compatible with ATA, so you might also be able to use conventional ATA hard drives with that code and hardware. (Not that you'd ever need several gigabytes of code space....)

[sciguy125]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

Interestingly enough, CF is pin-compatible with ATA, so you might also be able to use conventional ATA hard drives with that code and hardware. (Not that you'd ever need several gigabytes of code space....)

So I see that you get by with 640K of RAM.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

To talk to CF cards with FAT filesystems, you might be able to use code and designs from Minty MP3 (http://www.ladyada.net/make/minty/). There is code for a PIC18 under the firmware section (fat16.c and cf.c).

The page isn't loading correctly for me.

I will assume it works on the same protocol as SD, which is SPI. The SPI portions of the IFI controller's PICs are being used for internal function. If so, that software wont be a direct fit for what you want it to do.

[Venkatesh]

If the page isn't loading correctly, another copy of the same info is here: http://web.media.mit.edu/~ladyada/make/minty/index.html