Triaxial acceleration sensor and Metal Brackets available!

[PedroR]

Hi all

Robobuilder has just announced the availability of the

Triaxial acceleration sensor (15 GBP+VAT=17.63 GBP)
More info here: http://robosavvy.com/RoboSavvyPages/Robobuilder/HowToEquip_AccelerationSensor.pdf



and

Metal Brackets Kit (for the legs only) (65 GBP + VAT=76.38 GBP)
Regarding metal brackets, Robobuilder has previously announced three variants of the kit (see my previous post). This one corresponds to the simplest version, for legs only.
[EDIT]Sales for metal brackets kit #1 have been suspended since the more complete kits #2 and #3 will be released by the beginning of September. By then we will release all kits.[/EDIT]

[l3v3rz]

Are there any details on what the chip they've used for the tri-axis accelerometer ? what manufacturer, model no etc

thanks

[i-Bot]

I just got my tilt sensor. It appears to be a Bosch device, either an SMB380 or BMA150. Datasheets are available for these.

The device is set to I2C mode.

I will try it out later from C. I will probably use the AVRLib soft I2C, though I think that needs modifying to avoid outputing a hard high and only to use pullups since sensor is only 3.3V. Also it could have some delays taken out.

[l3v3rz]

Got mine today as well - soldered in and working ! Can you post URL to the Bosch documentation I can only see product flyers.

[i-Bot]

For Bosch Datasheet I found:

http://www.hongjing-tech.com.cn/BOSCH/B ... an2008.pdf

The part looks to be labelled 028 not 026 as in datasheet, but the pins are the same.

[l3v3rz]

Have written a couple of functions to read the tri-axis sensor. basically I2C using PORTE bits 4 & 5.

Code and Hex file in zip http://robosavvy.com/Builders/l3v3rz/ro ... er_0_3.zip

Use RBC upload tool to flash on to robot. Press [] on IRC to initialise, To access tilt sensor use # and down arrow on IR remote. It will display x,y,z values on serial port until you press another key on IR remote.

To see other functions look at code - main action loop is in Dio.c, tilt code is in accelerometer.c,. Main code is based on code supplied by I-Bot.

[NovaOne]

Got mine soldered in, and it works perfect with the v1.10 of Action Builder using 2.09 firmware

I am very interested in the hardwork you C programming guys are doing... since action builder can be a little limited if you want fit additional non-standard sensors.

Are there any other connector on the board that provide access to I2C?

[i-Bot]

The only exposed interface pins are on the 6 way connector to the head. This has two I/O pins, so you can run a soft I2C on these in C, but you lose the IR control and the distance sensor.

[NovaOne]

OK, How about fitting a four track wide piece of strip board onto the pin header used for the accelerometer, then mounting sockets along strip board to allow other I2c devices to connect to the same bus? eg:
http://robosavvy.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/27/products_id/394

[PedroR]

For fitting other sensors there is also the option of connecting them to the IO port on that exists on each of the servo's.
I don't have much technical info about that at the moment but I maybe by looking into the wCK user's manual you can find more info.

[Joe]

OK, How about fitting a four track wide piece of strip board onto the pin header used for the accelerometer, then mounting sockets along strip board to allow other I2c devices to connect to the same bus?

NovaOne, that seems like a really sensible idea to me. I don't have much experience with I2C yet, but from what I've read, you should be able to connect any number of I2C sensors into the same port. Did you ever try this?

I just ordered my accelerometer yesterday, so I'll soon face a decision: the "How to Equip Acceleration Sensor" PDF describes soldering the accelerometer board directly into the RBC board — unlike the Bluetooth instructions, which describe soldering on some female headers to make a socket, and plugging the Bluetooth board into that.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't make a socket for the accelerometer board too?

I'd really prefer to do it that way, if it would work, since then if in the future I decide to add more I2C sensors, I can just unplug the board and plug in a strip board or a daisy-chain I2C cable or whatever. It also saves me some money if I should ever happen to fry one board or the other. But maybe there just isn't enough room for the case to close that way...

Thanks,
— Joe

[i-Bot]

The port on the RBC which has the accelerometer on needs bit banging for I2c, but is still good for other devices.

I soledered mine in, but later unsoldered it and put in a connector. I did this to connect both a wiimote IR camera and the accelerometer to the same port.
I moved the acceleromter to the new board with the camera and use it for both Robobuilder and Robonova





The robobuilder is a good low cost accelerometer and far better than using analog output devices.

[PedroR]

Hi

Just to complete my post dated back from August on this thread, today I have successfully tested the A/D ports on the servo.

I have soldered two wires - one to pin 3 and one to GND - on the wCK IO port and was able to query it and get stable (analog) readings.

to avoid duplicate posting, further details can be found here http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=19149#19149

[Joe]

My RoboBuilder accelerometer just arrived today. I realized last night that I'm out of female headers, so I need to order some, both for this and for the Bluetooth board (which should arrive by tomorrow). As soon as I get those, I'm going to hook it all up and see what my souped-up RoboBuilder can do!