RoboSavvy Forum

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-15T23:57:29+01:00

As far as I am aware the Radio port communicates at 2400bps only.
Well that's what is stated in the Japanese documentation.

Actually I might have the latest RCB3 here. Since I had to replace my RCB3J after I fried it.

The problem with that Radio link (after it's very slow speed) is that you can't send/or receive a lot of information through it.

The protocol is described in the documentation too.

So you could use it to start motion (by simulating the remote control buttons) and perhaps use the other data in some motions somehow, but you will never be able to send a complete motion or write a scenario through it.

So it's way less interesting for us who wants to fully control the robot via the PC.

Statistics: Posted by shsan — Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:57 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T18:41:05+01:00

The KRR-1 radio requires the power on Red, so it has to run on the slow port.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:41 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T17:53:27+01:00

If its the same lead we have then it goes to the high-speed port. Black is ground, the others are tx and rx data but Ive not looked which is which yet. I know the port you are on about, it runs at 9600 baud I think.

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:53 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T17:33:55+01:00

PaulP wrote:
When you say USB/RS232 module do you mean the connection lead provided with the 'bot. Small black dongle that has a long 3 wire(black/red/yellow) cable plugged in?

Yep. The Red is power, so it is a SLOWER connection, using the alternate serial port on the RCB3. One port HAS power and ONE half-duplex serial pin, and the other has two serial pins for simultaneous tx/rx, and ground, but no power. The radio needs the power. And the one I refer to is the WIRELESS.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:33 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T17:29:00+01:00

The one shsan and I have is the KHR-1HV which has the RCB3 not the J version. Should be identical to the Manoi now...

When you say USB/RS232 module do you mean the connection lead provided with the 'bot. Small black dongle that has a long 3 wire(black/red/yellow) cable plugged in?

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:29 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T17:25:16+01:00

PaulP wrote:
I know the Manoi and KHR have the same RCB but is the firmware code the same?

One uses the (KHR) RCB3J and the other (MANOI) RCB3. Kondo removed some "serial" mode capability (not sure what that means) from the J model, according to a post on this forum somewhere. I believe the comm code is the same... That is more than I know.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:25 pm

Specs

2007-02-12T17:21:06+01:00

I have nothing. The USB is the regular "ICS USB Adapter"
The host radio is the KRT-3, the bot Radio is the KRR-1.
I have NOTHING on any of it.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:21 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T15:13:05+01:00

I know the Manoi and KHR have the same RCB but is the firmware code the same?

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:13 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T14:51:30+01:00

Hi Slashsplat,

Do you have the reference for that module ? I would like to take a look at the specs on the web if possible.

I don't remember seeing it for the KHR2 and since it's the same controller it could be used with it too.

Statistics: Posted by shsan — Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:51 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T14:43:36+01:00

PaulP wrote:
... The new USB/RS232 module from Kondo is not an off the shelf product so anything could be going on there.

I have the USB/232 wireless module form KONDO for my MANOI. Have not yet been able to get it to work...

PaulP wrote:
There are so many hybrids and hacks for RS232 its unbelievable.

I love standards, there are so many to choose from!

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:43 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T14:19:40+01:00

Just had a scan thru the PDF datasheet for it. It seems an impressive little toy.

My one concern was if it expected auto-baudrate detection, these usually require the sending of a specific character, space /chr(32) is a common one but it doesnt seem to be that type of device. Setting the baudrate from the config should remove any of those issues....

As you say, It should work.....

Might get one to join in the fun, meanwhile, I intend to look at the serial on this Kondo device and see if it gives me any ideas as I was looking at a WIFI device that could be fun. Get the thing on the network....

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:19 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T13:51:04+01:00

I have the following module.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... cts_id=582

All my experiments are done with the DM-330MV generator and from what I have seen on the scope it's quite clean.

My guess is that they are both TTL but no idea why it's not working. It might be something to do with the power coming from the Inverter or something like that but I would not expect any problem there either since both the RCB and the BlueSmirf have transistors behind the connection...

The BlueSmirf states quite clearly that it's expecting inverted signals too...

Statistics: Posted by shsan — Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:51 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T13:44:36+01:00

As you say, quite some work..

The 5V and 3.3V thing is to do with the device being TTL tolerant. It can operate (happily) in a TTL circuit or CMOS.. so thats shouldnt be a problem as you surmised.

If I remember rightly, (if not someone will quickly correct me), normally, RS232 lines float at a High level. +13V = logic 0
so essentially the RS232 is streaming 0's at you. When a start bit arrives the UART will wait for half a bit time and start sampling. Pulse width and Mark/Space gaps can be critical at high speed and i wouldnt expect the RCB to be spot-on.

Going by what you've said, If both are at TTL levels I wouldn't normally expect to have to invert.

One thing I have seen on the RCB is the 10.8V line is incredibly noisy. So your regulated voltage may not be clean enough. but thats a long shot.

Which BlueSmirf module is it you have?

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:44 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T12:45:03+01:00

Don't bother with the scope.

I have already put up quite some work on that.

If you want to know what I have found so far check up the page I have made for that.

http://www.lessieux.com/mywiki/index.ph ... tooth_KHR2

Statistics: Posted by shsan — Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:45 pm

RCB3 C API (for KHR2 and MANOI AT01)

2007-02-12T12:40:39+01:00

I've looked at them myself but not certain on which to go for.

Some comments from other members have out me off a bit.

The usual problems are voltage levels (TTL against RS232). I've not yet put a scope on the data line so I'm not sure.

The new USB/RS232 module from Kondo is not an off the shelf product so anything could be going on there. My first instinct would be to make a three wire RS232 lead and test it (AFTER I've stuck the scope on to prove the levels are compatible.) There are so many hybrids and hacks for RS232 its unbelievable.

Another thing could be the voltage levels of the KHR. 10.8V is an unusual voltage..

Might get the scope out of the cupboard later and find out.

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:40 pm