how to build a VEX programming module

[foobert]

unless you want to bitbang it, forget using rx1 and rx2 as serial ports. the 18f8520 has two hardware usarts. one is the programming port and the other is available as the rx and tx pins at the top of the analog/digital section on the controller. note that these two pins cannot be used for analog input, but can be configured either for digital i/o or for serial i/o. to use either port to talk to a laptop you will need to convert the ttl signal levels to rs232.

[foobert]

allow me to correct myself... rx1 and rx2 are connected to the master 18f8520, so you don't have access to them at all. all the master does is listen on rx1 and rx2 and decode the incoming pwm then send the information via the spi bus to the user controller which is the one you can actually program. i think it probably also resets the user controller and kicks it into the serial bootloader when the program button on the programming module is pushed.

by the way, radio shack announced pricing on their programming module and it's the same $99 as the prototype from ifi but will include easyc, so if you can stand to wait a month or so...

in other news, my laptop decided to die yesterday for my 51st birthday so i'm now without a windows box to program my kit. guess it's time to knuckle done and learn to run wine.

[artdutra04]

For those of you wondering, the USB to serial driver for the Vex programming modules (which will work with both prototypes and the commercial version) comes with the install of the EasyC software. EasyC software will come with the commercial version of the Vex programming kit. I don't know if it will be available stand-alone.

BTW, the EasyC software's name really means it. A little over 12 hours ago I knew nothing about C, but in less than a few hours, I had been able to program a VEXbot with the Vex Ultrasonic sensor to navigate the room avoiding obstacles.

[foobert]

actually what i'm wondering is where you're getting this stuff. where are you getting this stuff?

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by foobert

actually what i'm wondering is where you're getting this stuff. where are you getting this stuff?

Can't...reveal...sources... Top...secret...information...

Just kidding.

Actually, I'm at the WPI summer Frontiers Program in their robotics course. WPI has helped beta-test the Vex line, and we are using these parts in a mini-Vex competition. Word on the streets is that FIRST may be paying attention to our mini-competition, as they would like to see how to incorperate certain details into future Vex Competions.

[sciguy125]

So has anyone managed to figure out how to make a bootleg programmer yet? I'm not really interested in building one myself, just curious.

[CyberTroniX]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

For those of you wondering, the USB to serial driver for the Vex programming modules (which will work with both prototypes and the commercial version) comes with the install of the EasyC software. EasyC software will come with the commercial version of the Vex programming kit. I don't know if it will be available stand-alone.

BTW, the EasyC software's name really means it. A little over 12 hours ago I knew nothing about C, but in less than a few hours, I had been able to program a VEXbot with the Vex Ultrasonic sensor to navigate the room avoiding obstacles.

i need that easyC to program the microcontroller plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
i got the prototype programming module but i dont' understand C so that's a major problem and untill now i cannot program the microcontroller .
i got a bluetooth module and connected it via serial to the microcontroller so i could control it through my pc , and the bluetooth works fine with the microcontroller except that i need to program the microcontrollerrrrrrrrrrr.
HELPPPPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by CyberTroniX

i need that easyC to program the microcontroller plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
i got the prototype programming module but i dont' understand C so that's a major problem and untill now i cannot program the microcontroller .
i got a bluetooth module and connected it via serial to the microcontroller so i could control it through my pc , and the bluetooth works fine with the microcontroller except that i need to program the microcontrollerrrrrrrrrrr.
HELPPPPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ChiefDelphi Forums Rules

By clicking the Agree button, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, racist, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws. This includes the discussion of warez, file-sharing programs, cracking, and any other way of stealing software or any other copyrighted material...

Sorry, but your only options are to buy the Vex Programming Module or learn C programming. As stated in the ChiefDelphi Rules, using these forums to try to obtain pirated software is illegal. Anyway, learning at least simple C programming is helpful when using EasyC, as it will allow you to use the software to its full potential.

I would reccomend purchasing the Vex Programming Module to get EasyC. Using EasyC is a great program used to learn C programming. You can drag-and-drop tha commands, or you can insert 'Custom Code' blocks, in which you can write your C code by hand. Also, the EasyC interface allows you to see the graphical code blocks and the actual C code at the same time, which would also help one learn C programming better.

[gren737]

EasyC is out...you can now get it at your local Radioshack or online!!


http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=276%2D2152

[CyberTroniX]

i got a bluetooth module and connect it to the serial input of the microcontroller , but i have a software that can program the microcontroller but not through serial input ,
so is it possible to connect the bluetooth module to the serial input of ??

[JasonQ]

I'm interested in programming my VEX microcontroller, but I don't want to pay the high price of $100. Does anyone have a circuit diagram they could give me to build the cable? Also, is there anywhere (other than through the $100 VEX programming kit) I could purchase the software components needed to program the microcontroller?

Thanks,

Jason

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by JasonQ

I'm interested in programming my VEX microcontroller, but I don't want to pay the high price of $100. Does anyone have a circuit diagram they could give me to build the cable? Also, is there anywhere (other than through the $100 VEX programming kit) I could purchase the software components needed to program the microcontroller?

Thanks,

Jason

As much as you would probably like to try to build your own VEX Programming Module, it is illegal to share proprietary information - such as the circuit diagram of the module - or the actual signal signal coming out of the transmitter.

If you really want, you can make your own, but you would have to find another way to do it. If you really want to try to build a wireless (or Bluetooth or something entirely different) programming module, go right ahead. But remember, people protect their ideas with patents for a reason, so posting proprietary information is illegal.

My adivce is that you might as well buy the $99 programming module. That way, you will get the software you need to program the Vex Controller with it too. I have bought two Vex Programming Modules, one for my desktop computer, and a second one for my new laptop, so that I legally own two licenses.

[Eldarion]

How do I place the Vex controller into program mode?

I have already tried shorting RB0 and RJ3 to GND, with no results on the Program LED.

Someone with a working programmer: When does the Program LED turn on? Does it turn on as soon as you press the Program button?

Thanks!

Eldarion

[Kingofl337]

Just so you guys know you can buy easyC V2 from shop.intelitek.com. You don't need to purchase the programmer.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Eldarion

How do I place the Vex controller into program mode?

If I remember correctly, you have to send it the right pulse train. That's not easy to do without some sort of active device. A high-quality voltage level-shifter can preserve the pattern produced by a computer's serial port and send the right info to the microcontroller; but computers' USB outputs and USB-to-Serial convertors are a crap shoot. Hence the valuable little circuits inside that Vex box that converts USB into TTL-level serial.

Blake
PS: Using a computer's serial port to drive only a level shifter (not using the computer's USB port) let's you download code much faster (around 2X?) than going the USB route. However, some modern PC's don't even have serial output ports...