I have switched from programing in VB to programing in C# since VB wasn’t working the way I need it to and found C# is better for what I am doing. SO my question is what Microcontroler works with C#. I was looking at Basic Atom because of their prototyping board and PICAXE since it is cheap so I would prefer on of those but I would like to know all the options I have.
Thanks in advance
PS Will the basic atom USB Universal Development Board work with the microcontrolers that can be programed in C# thanks.
So let me see if I can get this right so I program the microcontroler in my “drones” to handle the basic maneuvers and actions in their native lang like basic or what ever lang the PICAXE controllers use then use my laptop to use a program written in C# that would handle more advanced maneuvers and allow me to take manual control through a wireless connection?
Can anyone give me some example source code for this? That would be much appreciated thanks.
Also how about microcontrolers that work with C languages would those work maybe? Just throwing out ideas.
Thanks I will do that but do you or any one know where I can get an example on how to interface the program and the Microcontroller, or will I have better luck asking this quetion on the Communication & Control form? See I know C++ and BASIC so If I can just get a general idea on how it is set up I can figure out the rest. I would prefer the Microcontroller example in BASIC since I am considering a PICAXE or basicATOM Microcontroller. Other wise I will look for source code on the Internet. Thanks
Thanks I will check that out now one last question. I just saw Robo shop just got Single Board Computers. The RoBoard Starter Kit says in it description that it is perfect for Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio. Can that be programmed in C#? Since its price is $289.99 it isn’t a feasible alternative but I could probly use it to make a command drone to control the other ones if my laptop goes dead or can not be used.
I have a new question. I am probly going to go for the PICAXE-28X1 USB Starter Pack. I want to interface A GPS system (USGlobalSat 20 Channel EM-406a SiRFIII GPS Engine Board with Patch Antenna or SFE 12 Channel Lassen IQ GPS Receiver with DGPS) and wirless along with several other sensors (incuding a camera). Do I need a special board for this? Also if I need more inputs or outputs can I expand the board. Last do Stepper Motors work with this microcontroler?
The Arduino series of MCUs can be programmed in C or C++. There is a large community of people who use these boards. Arduinos are based on Atmel’s ATmega series . There are at least 3 free development environments that support the Arduino. One explicitly for the Arduino which is based on the “processing” language, AVRGCC ( a GNU toolchain ) and AVR Studio 4 from Atmel. Take a look at arduino.cc. There are tons of examples and also tutorials.
No, we are not aware of any microcontroller that can be directly programmed in C#.
C# is meant for 32 or 64 bit PC based applications and .NET. You may however communicate with any microcontroller from a C# application, but the microcontroller must be programmed in its native language.
PC (C#) <-> Serial communication <-> Microntroller (Native Language)
Yes exactly, you program an autopilot on the microcontroller and the PC will transmit serial data to and from the remote robot. This allows you to do anything you want. We do not have source code as your project is relatively custom and unique. You may however find sample code for each individual functionality you want on the web.
From the PC side, you want to look at serial communications via the COM port. There are literally hundreds of websites out there to help you with this. This link should get you started in VC++:
The ideal situation here is to get a good VC++ book that should explain how to do this. Or C# for that matter.
And with the microcontroller you choose, read the manuals and supporting documentation from the manufacturers. It should all be in there.
The choice of microcontroller is really a matter of taste. The PICAXE has the benefit of having a much smaller footprint and the ICs can be purchased relatively inexpensively. The BASICATOM’s have more pins and therefore more I/O capabilities in theory. Which one is “better” can be easily argued since some of the BASICATOMS’s are based on the Hitachi H8 ICs.
I don’t see a problem interfacing these devices with a PICAXE. To expand I/O you can use shift registers but for motor control we suggest external motor controllers to isolate the rest of the electronics from higher voltages and currents.
The advantage to single board computers is that they can run a complete operating system (Windows, Linux), which in itself can handle C#, VB etc. SBC’s open up a new world for robotics.
I agree with Coleman : before this beauty, I bought an EEEPC (a notebook from ASUS) to do my robotic project. There are real advantages to use a computer with is OS. Also, this solution is cheaper than a notebook PC.
