ssc-ng

Lynxmotion Electronics & Software
5

Hi Dale,

I am pretty sure you know this, but you can program all of the Atom Pro modules in C or C++, plus ASM or Basic. The IDE comes with the GNU versions of this. But, there are no standard support libraries that allow you to do things like the servo command, or bit bang serial, or… So one would have to roll their own.

But if you prefer the Atmegaxxx route there are several boards out there now, which include Arduino type boards such as the one from Axxon: trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5826-Axon-Microcontroller.aspx, which if I were looking to get back to Atmega programming I would sure take a hard look at.

But right now I do enjoy working with the H8s which have 32 bit registers and math and Basic Micro allows you to use inline asm and allow you to get to the underlying hardware…

Kurt

6

You’re always welcome to use whatever controller you are comfortable with that fits your application. :slight_smile: Others, who have already got programming skills in one or more languages (like ‘C’) often prefer to use their existing skills. I know I really hesitate when looking at controllers that require learning some new language or even a new dialect of an existing language. A controller really has to offer me some major capability I don’t already have access to or make something I want to do easier than an existing controller before I’ll consider learning new languages or dialects. :slight_smile:

But, that’s just me. :smiley: There are always options and many different combinations are possible. A controller with excellent support always has the possibility of causing me to take a serious look at it, regardless of what is required to develope with it. My personal preference is just to stay within programming skills I already have and languages I already know. :slight_smile:

There’s another quarter’s worth. :smiley:

8-Dale

7

That sounds great Jim!
It would sure help speeding up the terrain adaption part for hexapods. I’m really looking forward to this. Any ETA?

8

Yes, I know. :slight_smile: I prefer to do my development under Linux as much as possible though, which leaves the Atoms out of the running although they are interesting to tinker with for quickly verifying that an idea works or doesn’t work. :slight_smile:

I have an Arduino and a Sanguino (Arduino on steroids), which are fun to tinker with. I use them to try out control ideas. I was just hoping the SSC-NG would come to reality because I have way more confidence products created by Lynxmotion. I may have to look more seriously at the AXON now though.

I also have a couple H8 development boards here, but would really like to latch onto an H8SX board to tinker with.

8-Dale

9

Dale, the pico ITX is probably what you are looking for…

Regarding the ATOM PRO IDE, I’ve noticed that too when I started to program that little guy, the compiler accepts Basic, ASM, and C!!!

Oh well, there’s nothing wrong with Basic, I used to loathe that language because of how “simple” it was, but I’m learning to like that little language!

However, I was schooled in C as my first language since I was a kid, so I do feel a strong affiliation with C syntaxes and all the games you can play with pointers…

But all in all, robotics is a multi-discipline machine, so I don’t mind coding something in Basic because after-all, isn’t the end goal to make our pile of metal walk/crawl/climb/ and anything in between? :wink:

My current goal is to understand kinematics and how to apply it to walking robots, next step would be to incorporate sensors and calibration of such, then using sensors to feed the kinematics engine to do some navigation based on statistics and probabilities…

Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll all have our own Pinochio… Driven by the SUPER SSC-32 from LM!!!

In regards to the SSC-32, after I stumbled upon this product about five years ago (I know it has been in existence far longer), I still cannot find another servo controller that comes even close to SSC-32’s capability for the price that LM charges… It’s a real bargain IMO…

Slightly off topic:

Jim, whatever happened to your Octo-pod project? I could’ve swore you had a prototype going… 3DOF per 8 legs is really utilizing the SSC-32’s capabilities… That leaves 8 more channels for appendages, antennae, claws, tail, grippers, airsoft, and etc…

:smiley:

10

It was more of a what can be built thing. I haven’t really had the time required to take on an octopod project. Here is the image.

From this thread.

lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?t=3085

11

and to reinforce this point, notice that none of the servos are plugged into the SSC-32. :stuck_out_tongue:

12

Sorry, can’t really type, have to wipe the drool off…

That thing is a beauty…

13

24 $ervos! :open_mouth:

14

tom_chang I would agree, the ssc32 is a great value for all of its abilities.

Sorry to hear that the NG will probably not come to pass.

Wayne

15

I believe Basic Micro is coming out with several new boards, one of which has built in SSC-32 capabilities. I’m not sure of the details but that what Jim said if I understood him correctly.

16

Shame!

It shouldn’t be too hard to get an octopod running. I had added conditionals to my C code to run 8 legs, once I got a new, larger chassis built. Although I was planning to use “C” legs instead of what appear to be “A” legs in additional “C” brackets.

I see the side chassis brackets (plates?) ACB-01B, but not the “8 appendage bot chassis”. Do you still intend to make them available? One could fabricate two octagonal chassis plates, I suppose.

Although I do favor the more “spider like” chassis that I proposed. But hey, I’m still busy on the 'quad!

http://www.marconettengineering.com/Octopod.jpeg

Alan KM6VV

17

Sorry! :blush:

I wasn’t sure if it would be popular enough to justify the time investment. I will see what we can do about getting the chassis plates going.

18

You want me to make panels like those too? I’m not sure there is sufficient room between the legs for the servos. Can’t read the dims well enough to do much with it. :frowning:

19

Jim,

I think our posts might have crossed in the either! I’d be interested in a pair of chassis plates, and a set of “side chassis brackets ACB-01B”. I believe I’ve got code to run them (at least in C, and a plan to modify Powerpod code to do likewise). Legs, I’ll probably borrow from my hexapod.

And in case you had any (slightest) thoughts on an “organically” laid out chassis plate (like in the drawing I just added in my edit), I’d think that would be well received as well. You’d have to modify for the BB2/SSC-32 cutout instead, but you know that.

Let’s see, 2 legged, 4 legged, 6 legged, and finally 8 legged. Yeah, that should do it!

I can probably fabricate my “organic octopod” chassis plates, although it does require several setups on my little CNC mill. but I’m up for it! I might also get some “real” machine shop time to make the larger octopod chassis.

Alan KM6VV

20

Yeah, we crossed posts in the either!

I can provide a better CAD drawing if you’re interested. I see you’ve edited your message as well. The servo swings ARE limited, but at the time of the drawing, they appeared to be do-able. The drawing can be re-evaluated and could even be expanded slightly if warranted.

As I mentioned, I may even get some “real” machine time, and have some chassis plates fabricated for me (I get to watch).

Alan KM6VV

21

Eh, I PM’ed ya! lol

22

WOW I have never seen so many dimensions! It almost covers the design! :open_mouth:

23

I’m on it!

Alan KM6VV

24

Yeah, that’s the trouble! There are a LOT of things that need dimensions, and I’m assuming a symmetrical layout, so a lot of dimensions are “assumed”. Lotta arcs!

It’s a little easier when going to CNC, I don’t HAVE to put all the dimensions on the drawing, but I need at least some for reference. In fact, I basically “strip down” an initial drawing, making a second drawing with just a few dimensions, like overall an a few measurements to fiduciary markers, and generate the Gcode from that. Less cluttered!

The CAD/CAM program “knows” what all the dimensions are from the drawing. Numbers on the drawing are just for humans!

EDIT: Here’s a simplified drawing with a BB2/SSC-32 cutout:

http://www.marconettengineering.com/OrganicOctopodA.JPG

Alan KM6VV