CM510 still not working

[UncleBob]

ANYONE PLEASE HELP!!

This is a second CM510 from my distributor but still not working. I am using Window Vista on a PC. Tried a third party dongle also no good. Should I also try replacing the rs232 cable ?

I want to post more video showing guys how to make motions and task file on roboplus but need to solve this first.

phpBB [media]

[altwolf]

Here's a couple ideas:

I don't have a 510, and haven't used the latest version of roboplus, but, I know with the cm-5 you had to put it into "Manage Mode" in order for roboplus to "see" the cm-5. Have you tried doing that with the CM-510?

Do you have a CM-5 around? Have you checked to see if you can connect to Roboplus with it? That might help you to troubleshoot your problem.

BTW: I use this converter to connect my cm-5 to my computer/roboplus:
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/usb/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/378/Default.aspx
It doesn't have the special powers of the official Robotis module, but it works fine otherwise.

[Fritzoid]

Hi Bob,

Well at this point I think you have to be looking at that PC your connecting from as a likely source of the problem. Can you get access to another system, preferrably an XP system to test on? We need to factor out some possibilities to help isolate the problem.

Have you tried the terminal emulator that comes with RoboPlus? The CM-510 should respond if you type the lower-case letter "v".

You'll need to get a serial port monitor working to get any further! I've had no problem monitoring any of the RoboPlus programs on my XP laptop using the Free Serial Port Monitor. First you start the monitor then you start the program, for example the Motion Editor.

Hang in there, this kind of difficulty is what makes robotics a challenge.

[UncleBob]

Hi Bob,

Well at this point I think you have to be looking at that PC your connecting from as a likely source of the problem. Can you get access to another system, preferrably an XP system to test on? We need to factor out some possibilities to help isolate the problem.

Have you tried the terminal emulator that comes with RoboPlus? The CM-510 should respond if you type the lower-case letter "v".

You'll need to get a serial port monitor working to get any further! I've had no problem monitoring any of the RoboPlus programs on my XP laptop using the Free Serial Port Monitor. First you start the monitor then you start the program, for example the Motion Editor.

Hang in there, this kind of difficulty is what makes robotics a challenge.

a) I tried XP also no good
b) what would happen when I press v, apart from getting a little green flahs on the led
c) With Roboplus when I tried the port monitor it does not allow two programs accessing the same port. Any tips?
d) Distributor says he can connect. But as you can see from my vid, I am not making this up
Thanks

[Fritzoid]

The protocol between the PC and the CM-510 is pretty simple. All I know is what I've seen from monitoring the port. I think there's some further documentation for it on the Robotis site.

First the PC sends a lower-case v.

The CM-510 responds its ID which includes the text "CM-510" and the number "1963". I don't remember the exact message, but you'll see it alot.

Next the PC sends a single upper-case letter command, E for the motion (E)ditor, M for (M)anagement mode, etc.

The controller then spills out the ID info again along with info about the attached devices.

What comes next depends on what you do in the application. However, in all cases the process remains the same. PC sends a simple ASCII command (at 56KB) and the controller responds with a stream of ASCII text.

One thing I seem to be hearing is that you have intermittant trouble, i.e. it works sometimes. This points at timing issues. The protocol is sensitive to the timing, it can't tolerate certain delays.

I've seen this type of behavior with USB dongles that buffer the output and hold data until some internal limit is reached. The fix there was to get a better dongle. Maybe Windows or the PC USB port has a similar issue.

[UncleBob]

OK guys I am doing exactly what you telling me to do. I am doing this on XP on the USB2Dynamix

This is trying to connect using Roboplus manager







detail video uploading

[UncleBob]

In the Roboplus terminal

I simulate what the program do
v
exit
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUv#################v

I find that it only works with 57600. There is a beep during UUUU.

I tried other speeds and it wont beep.

But nothing after beep unfortunatley.

phpBB [media]

[Fritzoid]

Where does this exit command come from, your side or the robot side?

Expecting an ID response from the controller here.

57600 is the right speed.

The garbled data points to a port problem. Can you find out the port configuration from your monitor program, i.e. the speed, bits and stop count?

[Fritzoid]

I have used Windows Hyperterminal to talk to the robot too.

Setup a session at 57600 with 8 bits No parity and 1 stop (8N1) and no handshaking.

Use the hangup icon to disconnect the session.

Power off the robot (if it's on).

Use the off hook icon to connect again.

Power on the CM-510.

type "v" (lower-case v).

receive the CM-510 response.

You should also be able to do this simple connection test with any terminal emulator on any platform, even MSDOS.

A system with a real serial port would allow you to factor out the USB2Dynamixel too.

[UncleBob]

I am typing v already as you can see but just now response from cm510.

[marcdimmick]

In the device driver change the port to No 8. I found when I had it on 3 it would not work.

[UncleBob]

8 is my lucky number and I haven't tried that yet. Thanks

[Fritzoid]

Luck has nothing to do with it!

The port number you use MUST be the port assigned to the USB driver that controlls the USB2Dynamixel. This will likely be different from one system to another (mine is on COM5). Otherwise you're pushing bits down the wrong pipe.

[marcdimmick]

If you right click on the FT232R USB UART then select property

Click the hardware tab

Click on USB Serial Port (COM3) then click on the property button

Click on Port Setting then click on the Advanced Button

Then from the COM Port Number: dropdown select the port you would like

Click OK on all windows and your USB device is now what ever port you have selected.

Give that a go.

[UncleBob]

Set to COM 8 result still the same. I tried to buy another rs232 cable today. but cannot find.