k it's all put together (a few weeks ago) finally got time to do some more work on it tonight. I did end up buying a lab power supply from vetco electronics - variable 0-30v 0-3A (or was it 0-15V) Anyhow it's $99 and ready to be returned already. Since I live near them I'll return it for one that works.
Since I went with the serializer / icop vortex86 solution. I'm ready to start programming, but most documents appear to gear towards just serializer, none as far as I can tell is geared towards combination of both and still programming via a desktop... (ok so I have to admit I cannot wrap my head around something and just cannot identify what that is yet).
I chose to connect the serializer to the vortex86 via serial module, But I'm assuming I should pop that serial module out and toss on the USB module - for the laptop instead? when will the vortex come into play then?
I use the Vortex86 and the serializer extensively on my robot (Socrates 1), and it has worked great. The .NET interface to the Serializer is the same for both the PC and Windows CE. There may be minor variations, but I have not found them yet. This will allow your PC based .NET code to work on the Vortex86 with little or no changes, assuming that your own application does not require modification to work under .NET CF.
The bigger effort for you will be in getting used to working with Windows CE on the Vortex86. I would suggest that you read the ICOP Jump Start Guide for the eBox, very similar to the board sold on RoboticsConnection. It can be found here. This will at least give you an overview of the use of Platform Builder. You should also be able to use the CE OS image provided on the Vortex86 without building one of your own via Platform Builder (as described in the Jump Start Guide). You would just need to copy your application to the Flash memory on your Vortex86 board. The easiest way to accomplish this is to copy it from a shared directory on your PC's hard drive.
Jim Wilson
James Y. Wilson http://www.learningce.com Fortudine Vincimus!
ok so to clarify
1. i'll be tossing in the usb module to the serializer.
2. to simplify - I'll use my laptop to program the serializer for now? Am I actually uploading directions to the serializer or am I just directing it?
(i'm playing dumb for now to find the easiest bestest solution as I'd prefer to program from the laptop then simply upload to the bot.) I bought the vortex86 as the added brain power so I can learn some AI & visual stuff.
Hmm maybe a flow chart would help me.
[Thanks for posting Jim! :)]
Windows CE
The ebox-2300 Jump Start Guide is definitely a great start. It can be found at embeddedPC.net
If you ordered an embedDisk from us, we go ahead and put a copy of WindowsCE on it prior to shipping. If you did not order an embedDisk from us, then we can set you up with a CE image for you. You'll just have to figure out how to get it onto your hard drive, or whatever you're using as the disk drive.
Serializer .NET Library
I would start out with the RS-232 module connected to the Serializer, and use one of the included 6082 serial cables to connect it to the Serializer for communications.
Be sure to read the 'Configuration HowTo's' under the documentation tab on the 6082 page on our site to properly configure WinCE & the serial ports.
To start communicating w/ the Serializer, you can start out by creating a application within Visual Studio 2005 using a 'Visual C# -> Smart Device -> Windows CE 5.0' type of project.
Then, you'll install the Serializer .NET library, which you can download from the Serializer page (also download Serializer .NET Lib HowTo Guide).
Then, under your test project, add a reference to the Serializer .NET library (see instructions in Serializer .NET Lib HowTo Guide).
Now you have full control over the Serializer .NET interface (see Serializer MSDN pages for interfaces), to be able to control/query all of the components supported by the Serializer.
You can then play around with the interface to make the Serializer and your robot do useful things (read sensors, drive around, etc.)
Vision
If you're planning on performing Vision processing, I suggest using a USB Camera (like a Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000 - which I know works w/ the 6082), connect it to the USB port, and write an application which grabs frames from the Camera, and sends them to your laptop via WiFi. You can then perform vision recognition on your latop.
Based on the output you (will evenutally) get from your vision recognition application (e.g. follow green blob) you can then translate that meaning to commands to control/query the Serializer components (using the .NET lib).
I suggest you also take a look at RoboRealm to help you learn a little bit about vision, how it works, filters, and work through some of the color following tutorials he has. You will see how he's watching the Center Of Gravity of a green blob, as well as size of it, to generate commands (using VB Script) to turn motors on/off to follow the blob. You will be doing something similar to this. Right now, RoboRealm does have a module for the Traxster/Serializer, which works well, but they don't have .NET support for us as of yet. So, just don't get it confused w/ our .NET library. :) I just suggested it to help you better understand how to translate images/frames into meaningful commands.