Need help on bluetooth connection

Hi all.
I’m a newbie here. I need help for connecting my servo controller to a bluetooth device in order to control it through my PC. My question is whether i can use a usb bluetooth dongle sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=627138&cat=1&itemid=394& on the servo controller because it seems most people is using a bluetooth module such as SMiRF. If it is possible can someone kindly give provide me a brief instruction on how to do it. If i were to use the usb dongle, how do i connect the power supply to it?

or is it better if i use this sitashop.com/wifi/detailproduct.php?code=21 ?

Any extra information is very much appreciated.
Thank you very much.

The dongle goes into the PC.

If you’re asking whether or not you can connect one dongle to the SSC-32 and another dongle to the PC, then I can’t help you.
I’m not sure whether or not that would work.
It seems like it would, as the dongle has to be able to both send and recieve, but there may be something in the firmware’s protocol that doesn’t allow that.
It seems odd that sparkfun would make a SMiRF if a second dongle would simply do the job.

The SMiRF goes on the servo controller.
You need both the dongle and the SMiRF.

You connect them in this way:
Smirf --> SSC-32
TX --> RX
RX --> TX
GND --> GND
Vdd --> + *

*The + pin is above the A pin, both of which are located in the 8-pin A/D input bay. Email sparkfun and ask 'em if the SMiRF can tolerate the 5 volts that the above setup will be feeding it.

The SMiRF is powered through the SSC-32’s 5V regulator in the above setup.

The dongle is powered directly from the USB port that you plug it into, on your computer.

Your second link goes to a page with multiple devices on it.
Perhaps you could specify exactly which you’re talking about?

I’d suggest that you base your wireless decision upon the needs of your bot.

If it’s a legged bot, then the latency of a Bluetooth device may get very annoying (the WiPort is a good option, in that case).

If it’s just a rover, latency is less of an issue.

A bot that uses servos may stumble and fall if the information being sent is late or missing.
However, a bot that uses motors will probably only experience a very brief reduction in speed (if it’s noticed at all).

You might still want to go with the WiPort (www.wibotics.com), or some similar device, if you have a rover that needs precise control.
(i.e. Mapping, dead reconning, etc.)

Keep in mind that more onboard control means less data streamed across the wireless, which means more reliability.
Wireless devices vary in range, but most are only good when the bot is in a relative line of sight with the bot.

A bigger dpi antenna onboard will improve the distance that you can send that data, as well as how clearly it is recieved.

::looks up:: :unamused:
I need to start charging for these novels.

:laughing: