Remote programming box

Technical Programming
1

Hey guys,

I designed this around the Sparkfun BlueSMIRF bluetooth serial module. Basically it is a diagnostics box that allows us to get printf data back during testing.

The clever part is using the ground in one of the relay outputs on the RC to map an OI button to “program state” - remembering that this relay output will shut off as soon as the RC actually enters the state. All of this travels through a bridged pin on the connector, so the robot can only put itself in program state with this (non-competition-legal) wireless programming box connected.

http://galactica.miazmatic.com/~ben/wireless_programming.png

After looking at that, is there anything else I should add? The BlueSMiRF does not have any opportunities for attaching a diagnostics LED of any kind, but I thought maybe I could put in a power LED on the +5 for completeness’ sake.

But I still have some space on my DB15, so feel free to make suggestions.

2

How does the wireless program_state swith work? I found the prog/ground pins on the 2004/2005 (forgot which) FRC RC. But how does the wireless connection start program_state

3

You would use a digital pin on the RC and code it to turn on at some kind of joystick button press… basically it would be the RC putting itself into program state :ahh:

4

Once I’ve created the bluetooth dongle, how do I interface with the actual CPU. What would I need to do to IFI loader or would I have to use something like Putty?

5

Nice work!

How well does this work? What kind of range do you get? Any data quality problems. I have always had it in the back of my head to get a remote rs232 link.

I did a similar thing bridging a digital IO pin to the program pin of the programming connector after i got tired of pressing the program button.