RoboSavvy Forum

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-05-19T01:52:14+01:00

Hi guys. I had been trying to get a Bluesmirf working for about 3 months and quit. Now it seems my problem was probably H2H all along. I have not messed with it for months but you guys have inspired me to try again. Has anybody out there been sucessful with a Bluesmirf from Sparkfun?

Statistics: Posted by se7en — Fri May 19, 2006 1:52 am

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-05-15T22:33:24+01:00

Thanks Meltdown!
Might you ellaborate somewhat about your Bluetooth 'final' solution ?

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Mon May 15, 2006 10:33 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-05-15T20:55:40+01:00

Hi Inaki,

Go here: http://robosavvy.com/modules.php?name=F ... =1456#1456

Any bluetooth problems with the KHR-1 will be solved.

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Mon May 15, 2006 8:55 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-24T12:58:30+01:00

It was a test with the original rs232 ICS connector.
To see if, when rewired/re-routed, all the functions would still be working.
And it works flawlessly.
So i see no reason why it won't work with any bluetooth module
missing a DTR line.
I ordered the one i mentioned earlier from eBay.

It has some important advantages:
+5v to 9v operation instead of 3.3v so you can connect it without any modifications.
Inbuild antenna with the option (included) of an remote antenna.
Rs232 connector already implemented.

When it arrives i will report back.
If it works as advertised you can have wireless KHR-1 operation for
some $75 inc shipping.
Not bad at all.
Thanks for the great help Inaki!

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:58 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-22T11:25:29+01:00

Excellent!
By the way, which Bluetooth module have you used in the KHR1 side ?

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:25 am

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-22T23:36:30+01:00

Thanks!
I've got it to work perfectly!

Tutorial
Changes you have to make in the ICS RS232 connector when using
a bluetooth module without DTR connection:

First you have to seperate the bridge on pin 7 and 8 (rts/cts)
Remove the resistor on pin 4 and bridge it to pin 8
So the resistor is now bridged between pin 2 and 8.
The com port must be set to: DTR tracks CTS.
If you don't it will still work but then you have to confirm some
functions twice, ie in teaching mode you have to double-click the OK
button instead of once.
That's it!

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:26 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-20T16:17:31+01:00

Anyway I am going to order 6 units of the WT11 (with PCB). In case I get any success with KHR1 I will tell you (and sure I will have some modules to be shared). The DTR signal might perhaps be replaced by CTS/RTS signals but I am not positive of this.

Actually I am going to replace the RCB1 board with my own controller so I am not concerned specially about the RCB1 being compatible with this Bluetooth module but I would like to be able to use the RCB1 as well.

I receive the PCBs this week. I will check the DTR issue and see what happens.

CTS and RTS bridged means that the interface does not care about a posssible hardware flow control. This is not good for a general purpose interface.

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:17 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-20T14:16:12+01:00

Thanks for this invaluable info Inaki!
Yes the missing DTR signal is what's worrying me.

The KHR-1 rcs connector is connected this way:
pin 1 DCD - not connected
pin 2 TxD - white cable
pin 3 RxD - red cable
pin 4 DTR - connected with 2.2kohms resistor and bridged to pin 2
pin 5 - connected to earth with black cable
pin 6 DSR - not connected
pin 7 RTS - bridged with pin 8
pin 8 CTS - bridged with pin 7
pin 9 RI - not connected

Now pin 7 andd 8 are bridged (rts, cts).
It seems that rts and cts are used for something but what?

The problem i'm facing is that i can get a BT serial adapter that,
when i specificly specify the order, can use either CTS/RTS or DTR/DSR.
I'm not sure what to do because it seems that the KHR-1 needs both options.
You seem to know more of this than i do.
I appreciate any help you can give me.

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:16 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-19T16:36:17+01:00

An addendum to my last post:
the serial lines available on WT11 are:

RX
TX
RTS
CTS

Note that DTR is not available. This signal,DTR, is needed on KHR1 to read data (for example to read position data). I think RTS and CTS are not used by KHR so you might probably replace the DTR signal with RTS or CTS but I have not tried this. Another solution that might work would be to keep DTR signal low all the time.

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:36 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-19T09:05:51+01:00

The WT11 does have these RS232 lines too: RX,TX,etc. But the module also allows for USB, GPIO, SPI, etc so there are a lot of extra pins ( 28 in total ). You need a connector adapter to use a standard serial connector but it would be pretty easy to make.

Yes these serial devices have TTL levels that you must convert to RS232 levels if you connect them to a PC. The chip used by most people to perform this conversion is the MAX232. There is an easier version to interface called MAX233. Both are made by Maxim and can be found in any electronics store. They are cheap too.

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:05 am

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-19T03:09:31+01:00

That's to bad.
I need a rs232 one, or a oem type which is easily converted into rs232.
The one on eBay is not a regular usb type.
It's a rs232 serial bluetooth adapter.
This one should work right out of the box with the KHR-1.

What i'd like to know is that most of the oem types have a uart with
rx, tx, cts and rts lines on ttl level.
Can ttl level directly be connected to the rs232 port of a computer or
do you have to transform the signals first through some kind of logic chip?
Looking at some of the developer pcb's it seems that some kind of chip is
used right after the rs232 connector.

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:09 am

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-18T12:02:01+01:00

Meltdown, the PCB connector is a standard mini-header type, it is not an RS232 because there are other signals in it, besides the serial lines.

I was unable to perform the soldering of the module despite I am used to solder. Actually the PCB prevents you from soldering. If you think you are able to use the module 'as is' I would not recommend to purchase this PCB. Would be of not use for you.

In case you are interested there is also a mini development kit board that has serial and USB connectors. It is much cheaper than the expensive kit offered by BlueGiga that costs $750.

Regarding the module you mention on eBay. It is a regular Bluetooth USB module, right? It is not Bluetooth 2.

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:02 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-16T13:45:11+01:00

Hi Inaki,

I'm interested.
The custom pcb bit isn't to clear to me yet.
Does it contain an rs232 9 pin connector?
Soldering isn't a problem for me because i'm used to solder tiny smd
parts.
I was/am tempted to buy this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... Track=true.

What do you think of that one?

Let me know as soon as you know the final costs.

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:45 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-15T12:50:33+01:00

Hi Meltdown!
The module is the WT11 from BlueGiga.
http://www.bluegiga.com/default.asp?f=2 ... 0&subp=200

It is UART and USB.

The soldering is very difficult to do without oven so I have ordered a custom PCB board with a standard connector with the module already mounted. This way the final board is slightly larger than the module itself. The module is 35x14 mm. The PCB board manufacturing and mounting is performed here in Spain.

The version I have bought is the one with integrated antenna. There is another with external antena though. With integrated antenna the reach is about 60m.

Voltage: 3.3 V

The cost will be the cost of the module itself (about $50) plus the cost of the PCB and mounting, plus shipping (from Spain). I would estimate less than $100, shipping included. I will have the exact prices next week.

Statistics: Posted by inaki — Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:50 pm

Bluetooth 2 Module

2006-04-14T23:04:02+01:00

I'm heavily looking into this as well.
Reading up on all the specs on the oem ones.
What brand of BT module are you talking about?
What will it cost? Dimensions?
Uart only or Uart and usb?
Operation voltage?

I've seen several ones by now. The cheapest one being 50 dollars.
The problem for me is the high shipping costs to the Netherlands.
There's even one that charges an outragious $200 shipping!

Statistics: Posted by Meltdown — Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:04 pm