Hey guys, I’m trying to get a Bluetooth connection from my laptop to a sumovore. The plan is to control it real time from the laptop via bluetooth.
I know it’s against the competition rules, but this is just an attempt for a project…
I have a universal usb bluetooth dongle, and an AIRcable RS232 replacement receiver. I cannot establish any sort of connection…
Is there something i’m missing or do i need a different microcontroller ??
Thoughts??
PIC16C57C micro controller?
I don’t know that PIC offhand, but if it has a standard USART, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I just got my Sparkfun Bluetooth working with an 18F4620.
Things to watch for:
Is the module TTL or RS232?
What baud rates are the uP and module set at?
You need to load all the Bluetooth and USB stuff, and then you must “allow” the connection when the module “asks”. This is a little different from a simple RS-232 dongle, as I’ve recently found out. I assume your module works similarly.
You’re using an EEPROM version of a PIC? There are many FLASH (F) PICs out there that would probably suit you better. Erasing and programming EEPROMS is so LAST century!
Alan KM6VV
i actually just discovered something was missing with that RS232 dongle. I could not get any power to the thing at all.
I did just purchase the EmbeddedBlue Transceiver from Parallax. Right now i am just trying to find a way to interface it with the sumovore. If not I have a mini sumobot as backup that has the AppMod header for this transceiver. Hopefully i can find a way with the sumovore though. I think it would be a pretty cool project if i can get it working.
Did you enable real time control of your Sparkfun?? If so what kind of programming did you use on the PC?
I haven’t worked with the sumo 'bots. Kinda cramped! Do you really need the wireless link?
Real time control of the Sparkfun? It’s the Bluetooth that’s offered by Sparkfun. I just installed the USB/Bluetooth on the PC, and wired in the BlueSMiRF module goes on the 'bot. Check out:
lynxmotion.com/images/html/build125.htm
For a good example. I thus have “real time control” of my 'bots with the wireless link established with Bluetooth/BlueSMiRF. Painless!
On the PC I use a terminal program called Docklight. It has provisions for assigning character sequences (text strings) to buttons. I generated a set of strings to mimic the button presses on the on the PS2 for one 'bot, and a set of commands for Loki in my current experiments. I can also monitor and record “status” sent back from a 'bot. The Lynx SSC32 terminal program might allow you to do similar things. If you’re only working with the SSC32, and not a 'bot controller. The SEQ program is also available, again, to talk directly to the SSC32.
LM’s Serial_CP_H3 (with Visual BASIC code available), may be useful if you want to simulate a PS2 joystick controller over a serial (and wireless) link.
As I’m talking with the 'bot computer, I’m interested in generating and sending a higher level of commands, and custom to my needs. Other terminal programs might be useful as well if they can provide the strings or scrips to implement your “command set”.
Alan KM6VV
Ya this is a senior project in college I chose to undertake, so I am committed to establishing the wireless link, and therein, real time control.
I haven’t really put much thought into what I am going to use as far as software is concerned. I guess my plan was to generate some sort of VB.net form that when i push say the ‘up’ key, will force to bot to move in the forward fashion. I’m assuming I will have to send a command set that is compatible with the uC i am using that will force to bot to move as desired. If not, I think what might have to be done is have a BS2 program onboard the bot that can associate the VB commands to the proper motor controls… any of that make sense?? sorta…?
Hopefully
If i sound way out in left field somewhere with this idea i’d appreciate it if you could tell me so, or point me in a different direction that makes more sense…
thanks
OK, got it. Good choice for a project!
I think you’re on the right track. Use something like Serial_CP_H3 as a guide to your PC program; it already has a good selection of commands for driving a 'bot. I think it could be used as-is. Right joystick forward, turn, back up, and plenty of “buttons” to do whatever you want. Use your EmbeddedBlue to establish a serial (wireless) link to your selected 'bot controller. You’ll get a string of about 5 bytes that tell you what buttons are pressed, and joystick values for moving the 'bot. The command set is simply bits in this case, decode them and use them for what you want. Or add your own. You can even send SSC32 strings to be passed on to the SSC32 directly. It all works.
A BS2 program can certainly be used, LM has demo programs to run wheeled 'bots. Add a motor controller. See LM tutorials on running a wheeled 'bot. The “command set” is independant of the uP language being used. The controller uP receives the wireless commands, and generates the appropriate servo or motor control commands. You only need two channels of motor control, something I believe the Atom BASIC can handle, the SSC32 might not even be needed. For other then R/C servo motors (although your 'bot may use these), you’ll want to use a motor controller. Check the LM site for sample bot code and motor boards.
But aren’t the sumo-type bots autonomous? You can have “wireless” commands supersede the autonomous behaviors, of course.
HTH
Alan KM6VV
Thank you so much for your help!!
It is such a relief when you hear somebody say that you’re on the right track.
I appreciate it a lot…
I will come back to update on how the project is going once the EmbeddedBlue comes in and i establish connection.
Thanks again!
