RoboticsConnection User Forum / Serializer Robot Controller Support / RoboticsConnection Hardware Support / how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs / Latest Posts

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

Marcelo — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:45:29 GMT

Hi guys,

I'm back with some questions. :)

The C# code is good and work just fine. Now I can read the sensor and based on that I can turn on/off the MOTOR 1 terminal.

About the actuator, I did a rough experiment to find the max amperage at a LOADED situation. I got a read of 3 to 4A at 12VDC. But I didn't connect the actuator to the board yet. WHY? because I measured the voltage at the motor terminal (at 90% velocity parameter) and i got a reading of 9VDC. Is this reading right? I mean, did anyone have done this before? what is the max voltage that the terminal can provide? 12VDC?

I was thinking that I might be able to connect the actuator at the terminal even though the board is only providing 9VDC. Based on V = R I (ohm's law), the Resistance is not changing (same actuator), if the V decreases, the I must decreases, since they are directly proportional. The only thing that might happen is that the actuator would move much slow that if were connected to 12 VDC. right?

Do you guys have any ideas what should i do at this point? Do I have to buy a relay?

Any thoughts would be helpful :)

Thanks,

Marcelo

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

jsummerour — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:12:49 GMT

It says it pulls 1.5A at 12V under no load. You need to find out how many amps it pulls under a heavy load, and that's what your relay will need to be rated at. Unfortunately, it's hard to find out what that info is sometimes.

Maybe Ringo can suggest a relay that you can use to connect to the GPIO lines from the Serializer if you can figure out what the max current draw is.

Best Regards,

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

Marcelo — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:26:34 GMT

Hi all,

Ringo, thanks for the advice.

-----------

I went to talk with the Lab. guy and he show the model and everything about the actuator. It's exactly this on:

[url]http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008051523212319&item=5-1554&catname=electric[/url]

It's a small actuator, right? so do you think that i will still need something like a big relay or an H-bridge mentioned by Ringo?

Another thing is that the actuator, for now, will only move in one direction (e.g. downward). I'll probably just need switch on/off.

Thanks guys,

Marcelo

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

ringo — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:16:04 GMT

Be Careful with things like these Jacks. Once you pick a specific one let us know and I'll go over the specs. These things could possibly draw a lot of current. If so you will need a big enough relay, or H-bridge to handle it. We have large H-bridge and relay boards on our site. Going over the specs of the jack will tell us if they are appropriate or not.

Ringo

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

Marcelo — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:54:57 GMT

Hi Jason,

I've downloaded the line sensor example and I'll try to figure it out myself. I think I can do it. :)

----

about the Actuator, maybe the best definition would be a Screw Jack (rotating screw), similar to this on:

[url]http://www.powerjacks.com/Power-Jacks-Screw-Jacks.htm[/url]

My friend told me that I'll probably need a relay to be able to drive the Jack. It would be something like that: The board will send some on/off signal (based on the line sensor) to the relay which will turn on/off the jack.

Could you tell me where should I connect the relay? Can I use the "motor 1 terminal" to connect the relay?

Thank you and have a good day,

Marcelo

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

jsummerour — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:43:24 GMT

Check out the Line Following example (for the .NET compact framework) on the Example Apps section of the website:

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/t-RoboticApplications.aspx

Even though the project is for a CE device (.NET CF framework), the code will work just fine when used in a C# Windows Console App or Windows Form.

This will show you how to read the line sensor. You can then write source code to control the acutator based on what the sensor sees. What type of actuator are you using? How does it interface to the Serializer?

Best Regards!

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

Marcelo — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:15:16 GMT

HI Jason,

It works just fine. I appreciated your help and tips. :D

--------------

Now i'm moving for the real stuff.

I'm trying to control a actuator by using the controller and the line sensor. How? the idea is: I'll be moving a device horizontally which must follow a curved line (e.g. goes up/down), so that's why the actuator comes in. It will do the up/down moviment.

Have you seen somebody doing anything like that?

Or do you have any file/tips which could help me on make this thing work?

Thank you,

Marcelo

RE: how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

jsummerour — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:11:29 GMT

Marcelo,

First of all, let's get your PC to recognize the USB module. Until that is working, you won't be able to communicate with the Serializer. Go to the following link to download and install the VCP USB XP drivers for the USB module (which has an FTDI USB->Serial chip on it).

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Next, it sounds like you have created a CE Smart Device -> Windows CE 5.0 project, and attempted to run it under XP. That won't work. :)

Since you're running under XP, create a C# ->Windows->Console Application. Then, add the code, compile it, and run it.

You might want to use Putty (see RangeWizard User Guide to configure it) to ensure that communications work between your PC and the Serializer. You can also use Hyperterm if you like to do the same thing. This will also help you figure out which serial port that the USB module was enumerated as (e.g. COM5), which you will need to set in your application before you can run it. You can then refer to all of the examples in the Serializer .NET Library documentation and/or on this forum. Also, note the Sticky topics regarding the proper use of Serializer.Run() and Serializer.PumpEvents().

This should get you going. If not, post back. :cool:

Best Regards!

how to: install the serializer controller (USB) and create a C# code to control the LEDs

Marcelo — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:12:56 GMT

Hi all,

I recently bought the serializer robot controller, the serializer usb module, and the line following sensor.

As a real newbie at this robotic stuffs and I have no idea how to make this board to work. I’ve probably downloaded all files available at [url]roboticconection.com[/url] webpage. After that, I tried to read and of course understand it and as you can see I couldn’t assimilate too much. That’s why I’m here. :P

Ok, what I’m trying to do is very simply.

At first, I just want to make the programmable LEDs to blink it, just like I’ve seen in the guide file. So far I’ve installed the .net Library and written a software (just like the example) using C#. Later, I will try to incorporate the line sensor.

I’ve connected the board using the USB module and also the controller board to a 12V DC battery. I think that is all I need to make work it, right?

When the board is connect to my PC (USB cable) the windows XP try to install the device. It shows “FT32R USB UART” detected but the windows don’t have any compatible driver for it. I’ve also tried the USB Device list with no success.

So which device should I select?

Or do I have to download a driver for it, if so where I could find it?

Since, I don’t know where to go. I’ve tried to move on.

The next step it was the C# code, which compiles without problem, so I run it. A new windows pop up, where I have to select one device (5 Pocket PC devices and 1 Windows CE). I’ve selected the CE one and hit the Deploy button. After that the error message shows up.

Description: ActiveSync is not installed.

File: Device Connectivity Component.

Probably this error of "connectivity" could be avoid if I had installed the board, right?

Hopefully, someone can teach or give me some precious info on how I can make this work. There is any tutorial file like an easy-step-by-step-do-yourself file on the net?

Thanks in advance, I appreciated your help.

Marcelo