CM510 and BlueSmirf
CM510 and BlueSmirf
by Pev
Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:40 pm
Not sure if anyone has done this yet but just in case anyone is interested I have just connected a Sparkfun BlueSmirf to the comms port on the CM510 and successfully send data to the unit.
The connection to the BlueSmirf is pretty straight forward. The pin allocations for the CM510's comm port are in the user guide that comes with RoboPlus. The comms plug is a little tricky to get hold of. I was lucky, I had a hunt in my scrap box and found an internal USB cable for a Shuttle XPC. One end had the correct plug but it was a 5 pin not a 4 pin. I removed all the metalwork from the housing and with a sharp knife as able to trim the plug to fit.
Having got the plug sorted and hooked up the BlueSmirf I had some trouble getting data to be recognised at the other end.
Firstly, this is a packetised format. The CM510 uses the same data packet format as the CM5, which is well documented (if you need it look for my original Bluetooth hack for the CM5 as that documentation contains the format).
Secondly, the CM510 defaults to expecting IR comms if the Zig110 is not pluged in, regardless of what else is plugged into the port. Thankfully, Robotis have already dealt with this, but unfortunately as my kit is a Bioloid Comprehensive with the Robosavvy upgrade I didn't have much documentation to refer to. Robotis kindly supplied me the answer, which is to set the RC100 Channel to 255 in the task program. This sets the comms port up for 57600 baud serial comms.
Once that was done it was all plain sailing, and my now very ancient BioBluePC program (which I really must update) can send data to the CM510
Hope this is useful
Pev
The connection to the BlueSmirf is pretty straight forward. The pin allocations for the CM510's comm port are in the user guide that comes with RoboPlus. The comms plug is a little tricky to get hold of. I was lucky, I had a hunt in my scrap box and found an internal USB cable for a Shuttle XPC. One end had the correct plug but it was a 5 pin not a 4 pin. I removed all the metalwork from the housing and with a sharp knife as able to trim the plug to fit.
Having got the plug sorted and hooked up the BlueSmirf I had some trouble getting data to be recognised at the other end.
Firstly, this is a packetised format. The CM510 uses the same data packet format as the CM5, which is well documented (if you need it look for my original Bluetooth hack for the CM5 as that documentation contains the format).
Secondly, the CM510 defaults to expecting IR comms if the Zig110 is not pluged in, regardless of what else is plugged into the port. Thankfully, Robotis have already dealt with this, but unfortunately as my kit is a Bioloid Comprehensive with the Robosavvy upgrade I didn't have much documentation to refer to. Robotis kindly supplied me the answer, which is to set the RC100 Channel to 255 in the task program. This sets the comms port up for 57600 baud serial comms.
Once that was done it was all plain sailing, and my now very ancient BioBluePC program (which I really must update) can send data to the CM510
Hope this is useful
Pev
by Dewey
Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:04 pm
pev
The RC100 Channel no. 255 is a golden nugget thanks!
I've moved to XBee Pro units for all wireless comms. Can talk to the the robot from 1/4 mile away!! Overkill but I've had range probs with both Zig100s and bluetooth.
XBees can be pair locked and seem to sync much more easily and solidly than blootooth.
I'm not a competition man but this might be good for those that are with hundreds of bots all under radio control.
Dewey
The RC100 Channel no. 255 is a golden nugget thanks!
I've moved to XBee Pro units for all wireless comms. Can talk to the the robot from 1/4 mile away!! Overkill but I've had range probs with both Zig100s and bluetooth.
XBees can be pair locked and seem to sync much more easily and solidly than blootooth.
I'm not a competition man but this might be good for those that are with hundreds of bots all under radio control.
Dewey
by Dewey
Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:47 pm
Pev
I use the Sparkfun - XBee Pro 50mW Series 2.5 Wire Antenna (1 mile) and the Sparkfun - XBee Explorer Regulated which breaks it out for ttl RS232 for bioloid and arduino applications
Great thing is if instead you use DFRobot - XBee Explorer USB this connects directly to your PC and maps as an RS232 port.
All thse are available here at the Robosavvy shop.
XBee configuration software for Windows (and I think Linux) is available for free download. There are a few Utube vids available that deal with XBee configuration, well worth a look to get you going.
Hey Limor do I get a discount for the plug!
Dewey
I use the Sparkfun - XBee Pro 50mW Series 2.5 Wire Antenna (1 mile) and the Sparkfun - XBee Explorer Regulated which breaks it out for ttl RS232 for bioloid and arduino applications
Great thing is if instead you use DFRobot - XBee Explorer USB this connects directly to your PC and maps as an RS232 port.
All thse are available here at the Robosavvy shop.
XBee configuration software for Windows (and I think Linux) is available for free download. There are a few Utube vids available that deal with XBee configuration, well worth a look to get you going.
Hey Limor do I get a discount for the plug!
Dewey