RoboticsConnection User Forum / RoboticsConnection Software Support / Serializer Services for Robotics Studio

Unable to create directory

jamesb6 — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:40:18 GMT

hello,

I was going through the stinger CE application development guide for MSRS.

After i disabled the traxster drive service i tried to build the project which it said in the directions. There was an error that said

Error 3 Unable to create directory "C:\Users\trevtay\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R2\bin\". Access to the path 'C:\Users\trevtay\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R2\bin\' is denied. SerializerServices

So i tried to change the directory in the properties. After i build it again, it said the same error. Could someone please help me.

I am using visual studio 2008, MSRS 1.5, CE 6.0.

MRDS best buy?

Dexter Griffith — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:46:08 GMT

I recently downloaded a copy of Microsoft Developers Robotics Studio Express (the free version). Is this the best software to use with Robotics Connection hardware...controller board, etc? Is it necessary to buy the $500 MRDS full software package to program a simple robot or will the (free) express version do fine?

Simulating Stinger at MSRS

rpedretti — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:34:18 GMT

Hi there!!

I'm at university researching some algorithms at the Stinger robot. But i really would like to simulate it. I've already installed the services at MSRS, but I can't use it without connecting the robot at some com port. Is there a way to simulate the robot and the connection?

Thanks!

msrs 2008 services?

JSaiz — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:24:35 GMT

hello,

I'm just curious if there is any news yet of services for msrs 2008 yet. It wouldn't be such a problem except that you can't find msrs 1.5 refresh anywhere (microsoft no longer hosts it). I just got my serializer, so I'm a little disapointed that I can't use it. Any help would be phenomenal.

-Jared

Is there a rc driving app for Stinger and Traxter?

myeager — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:54:21 GMT

I have set up the PID control sample. Seems good if you're building a mars rover. But what about just driving the Stinger around the same as many of the RBS sample projects? Is there anything available for that? If not, any guidance on how to set it up? Does one use the DCMotorControllerBase? Is there an ID for each motor? A way to continuously vary the ratio of power between the wheels?

Error compiling Traxster MSRS Solution

bellscotcv — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:06:00 GMT

I get the following error when trying to compile the Traxster solution.
Looks like somewhere Jason hard coded the path to something.
Would it be possible to have someone look into fixing the error or suggest how I might fix it myself?

I did try to find a local copy of the file it's looking for, mrisamples.snk, and create the directory and place a copy of the file there, but then the errors got worse. :)
Again, any suggestions would be appreciated. It's a brilliant bit of code and I am so close to getting it to compile under VS 2008. I'll try it under 2010 and see if that is any better in the interim.

Best Regards,
-Scott

The Error:

Error 1 Cryptographic failure while signing assembly 'C:\Documents and Settings\bellscot\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R3\TraxsterDriveService\obj\Debug\TraxsterDriveService.Y2006.M08.dll' -- 'Error reading key file 'c:\Users\Jason\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R2 Express\samples\mrisamples.snk' -- The system cannot find the path specified. ' TraxsterDriveService

Example Code for Subscribing to GP2R12 Sensor on port 0

bellscotcv — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:18:42 GMT

Hi,
Scott here.

Trying to get MSRS to subscribe to the serializer proxy service.

Here is how far I got and the error I get when I compile. Hoping this is an easy fix that you could give a suggestion on.

I start by adding in the serializer's proxy dll as a reference then add the following using statement

using serializer = RoboticsConnection.SerializerServices.Gp2d12.Proxy;

Then I create a Partner to the service

[Partner("serializer", Contract = serializer.Contract.Identifier,
CreationPolicy = PartnerCreationPolicy.UseExisting)]
private serializer.Gp2d12Operations _serializer = new serializer.Gp2d12Operations();

Then in the start area I create a method for the proxy

SubscribeToSerializer();

Then in that Method I try to create a serializer notification port

serializer.CombinedOperationsPort serializerPort = new serializer.CombinedOperationsPort();

..so far so good and everything compiles...then I get an error on the next line when I try to subscribe to the serializer service

_serializer.Subscribe(serializerPort);

The errors I get (two total) from adding the above subscription line is...

Error 1 The best overloaded method match for 'RoboticsConnection.SerializerServices.Gp2d12.Proxy.Gp2d12Operations.Subscribe(Microsoft.Ccr.Core.IPort, params System.Type[])' has some invalid arguments C:\Documents and Settings\bellscot\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R3\ScottTutorial2\ScottTutorial2.cs 62 15 ScottTutorial2

AND

Error 2 Argument '1': cannot convert from 'RoboticsConnection.SerializerServices.Gp2d12.Proxy.CombinedOperationsPort' to 'Microsoft.Ccr.Core.IPort' C:\Documents and Settings\bellscot\Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R3\ScottTutorial2\ScottTutorial2.cs 62 37 ScottTutorial2

It appears from the overload info that I need more than I param (more than just the notification port, and again, this is where I could really use any examples you have of how to format the _serializer subscription.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have.

Best Regards,
-Scott

Cannot connect to core services via Robotics Studio

bellscotcv — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:47:50 GMT

Hi there,

I have successfully used your C# libraries and can get my iCreate to read sensor data and my iCreate can autonomously drive around the living room avoiding obstacle. Trying to make the move to parallel services and Robotics Studio.

I followed your setup at the following link and all went well. Everything compiled..good so far.

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/userForums/Topic1347-7-1.aspx?Highlight=MRDS

In the same link it stated a good first test would be to get the Serializer core service to communicate with the serializer board. I am using the XBee and the X-CTU software can successfully connect on COM 6 at 19200. I edited the configs to also use port 6 and 19200, but when I run the Core Service and go to your test page, it just says it can't connect.

Totally at a loss for what to try next. Would REALLY appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

Best Regards,

-Scott

Serializer Services for MRDS 2008 R2

jsummerour — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:11:44 GMT

Hello gang,

Well, it's taken me forever to get our Serializer Services updated for MRDS 2008 R2, and I apologize for that...so much to do.

Anyway, I did get them updated today, and I'm posting a link to them here. The only exception is that I haven't properly ported the Traxster Drive Service yet, so don't bother trying to run it (there's actually just issues w/ the manifests and partners).

www.roboticsconnection.com/multimedia/services/SerializerServices_v3.0.0.zip

You'll want to unzip (I used WinZip 14.0) the contents of this zip file to:

Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R2 Express\samples\Platforms\RoboticsConnection

You'll actually have to create the \RoboticsConnection directory.

Start a DSS command prompt window, navigate to this directory, and type:

dssProjectMigration SerializerServices

and

dssProjectMigration TraxsterDriveService

Now, open up the RoboticsConnection Visual Studio 2008 solution. Build the Services. Please note that the cf.SerializerServices won't build (and I'll probably be removing those soon). So, if you get build errors, just make sure that project isn't set to build when you build the solution (they should already be set that way). You can also manually build the SerializerServices project by itself.

Once it's successfully built, start a DssNode. This will pop up a web browser, and plop you on the MSRS Home. Go to the Control Panel Page. In the Search text box, type 'Serializer'. Behold the list of Serializer services. You can start any that you wish, but I would start with the Serializer Core Service, and get that working w/ your COM port.

You can set the COM port via the state file stored in the root MSRS folder:

Microsoft Robotics Dev Studio 2008 R2 Express\

You will have to restart the DSS Node if you make changes to state files. This is also true of other Serializer config files for the other services. Also note the various configuration files for all of the supported sensors/motors/etc. under the 'Config' folder within the SerializerServices project.

Also, we have spent a lot of time to provide simple and pretty web pages for every service, so make sure you go to the Service Directory, then click on an instance of a Serializer service running (and the associated services), to see the pretty web page displaying state.

Also, now when you start the VPL, you'll see a list of Serializer Services in the left hand lower pane. It'll help if you type 'Serializer' in the Services text box to filter on our services.

I have never used the VPL, so I don't have any examples, but I'll try to put some of those together in the next update too.

That should be it! I'll get the TraxsterDriveService working over the next day or so! :)

Post any questions or conerns you may have! :)

Even though the new Serializer 3.0 page doesn't mention MRDS 2008 R2 support, I'm going to add it once I get the TraxsterDriveService completed within the week.

Best Regards!

Link to MSRS 1.5?

meistro — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:12:45 GMT

I'm having problems trying to use the 1.5 services with the 2008 robotics studio. Does anyone have a link to the older MSRS? Or updated services?

Thanks!!

Sample apps - the long awaited updates....????

wingers — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:51:37 GMT

Hi Jason

We last spoke about 6-8 months ago and back then the MSRS 2008 services were coming soon as were some more sample apps such as the obstacle avoidance and robot driving

I have been waiting patiently all this time, but still nothing

Can we all possibly have a time frame on this as I asked about these before buying the kit so getting a bit fed up waiting now

MSRS Simulation for Traxster

petergeorge73 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:35:42 GMT

Does any one have MSRS Simulation Visual entity for traxster. I have a traxster it will be fun if i can also programme it visually in MSRS simulation.

Unable to Communicate with Device: Serial: COM9 "Traxster MF"

Ejectionseat221 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:42:56 GMT

wow.. where to start?

ok first i am a newb, second i have been pulling my hair out to fix all the errors in MSRS for the example programs... i think i have basic programming down (referrences, commands and such down)

Because i have a MF, it has an RS 232 COM cable. I bought an USB to Serial cable converter and set it to COM 9

Bit Rate: 115200

Data bits :8

Parity: none

adding new ServoPositionSlide to project?

monarici — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:25:29 GMT

hi

we are trying to use [b]Serializer C# Client / Server Application - .NET 2.0 Compact Framework[/b]

there is only one servo motor control. I want to add a new servo control.
So how can i add a new ServoPositionSlide in the project?

RoboticsConnection_Services_MSRS_1.5 Building Errors!

monarici — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:18:43 GMT

Hi,

I tried to run “RoboticsConnection_Services_MSRS_1.5” using InstallingSerializerServices.txt.
But it gave a lot of errors.

I think some files are missing or un copy auto which are below:

C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.5)\bin.

SerializerServices.dll

SerializerServices.proxy.dll

SerializerServices.transform.dll
SerializerServices.Y2006.M08.Proxy.dll

C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.5)\bin\CF.

cf.SerializerServices.dll
cf.SerializerServices.proxy.dll
cf.SerializerServices.transform.dll

is it reason of the errors? So how can i correct them. Please help me i need it for my ademic final Project.

PS: I read and apply the inst. at Stinger CE MSRS Application Development Guide (pdf - 3.7Mb)

Starting With Serializer .NET Robot Controller?

monarici — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:14:37 GMT

Hi i have Traxster, Serializer .NET and e-box 2300

1. How can i understand that my Serializer is working or not?

2. What do i need for using [b]RoboticsConnection_Services_MSRS_1.5[/b]
proggrams, libs and updates. I need the information step by step. Because i am new at that.

3. I want to use my robot via wireless so wanna use [b]Serializer C# Client / Server Application - .NET 2.0 Compact Framework [/b] and what are the Requirements and steps.

Please help me for my project i have no time more:(

Serializer services for MSRS 2.0

DC Robotic — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:52:41 GMT

I read a post on the MSRS forum that services for MSRS 2.0 had been updated from 1.5 and sent to RoboticsConnection for verification. What is the status for the 2.0 compatible services?

I recieved my serializer yesterday and am anxious to work with it. I'm new to robotics, but am an experienced VB programmer and equipment builder. I understand that MSRS will have a very steep learning curve. I have chosen to work with MSRS and C#.Net. I may have to work with your .Net services first if MSRS proves too steep. There are a lot of "new" concepts for me. Ultimately the allure of async. motion control is why I'm working with MSRS 2.0

Thanks.

Tutorials Available? And Serializer.NET vs. RoboticsStudio

cjohns — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:20:09 GMT

I am interested in learning more about how to use Serializer with RoboticsStudio. Are there any "how-to" tutorials, labs, or example code available, specific to using Serializer and attached sensors/servos/motors with RoboticsStudio? (I have seen the Microsoft labs and tutorials, but nothing specific to Serializer).

Is there a way to communicate with non-supported I2C devices in RoboticsStudio, akin to the I2CDevice class in Serializer.NET? (I didn't see one while poking around the Visual Programming Language environment).

What are the benefits (if any?) of programming with RoboticsStudio, vs. with C# and Serializer.NET?

Problem With Re-Building Project

eddie225 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:48:39 GMT

I am having a problem with the Serializer Services. I downloaded it, placed it in the correct directory where Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.5) folder is, and downloaded Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.

In one of the steps it says to Re-Build the project imediately following changing the "Specific Version" from true to false. Well everything builds excpet the there is a problem with the file "SerializerServices.Y2006......." The file that I changed the specific version to has a yellow exclamation point next to it which is keeping the project from re-building successfully. It brings up about 13 errors saying that "perhaps a reference is missing because SerializerServices could not be found." Any help would be appreciated, anybody know what's going on?

Stinger CE Application Development Guide

jsummerour — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:31:50 GMT

Here is a document that I wrote (but never finished) for the Serializer Lite Services (for use under MSRS and Windows CE). MSRS really struggles to run under Windows CE on the eBox-2300/4300s, so I decided not to pursue any more service development for MSRS + CE.

I'm posting it, because it has a lot of useful information that can be leveraged for the regular Serializer Services.

Stinger CE MSRS Application Development Guide (pdf - 3.7MB)

Best Regards!

From where I can get the Serializer controller in MSRS

mema — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:00:12 GMT

I download the Free Serializer Services for Microsoft Robotics Studio (MSRS) but it’s the Services only without the main Serializer controller

From where I can get the Serializer controller in MSRS

Serializer problem with MSRS

Theo — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:39:12 GMT

Hi,

I recently purchased the Serializer and I tried to start the MSRS Services using Devantech's TPA81 sensor.

Although the Serializer core services were working fine, after loading the TPA81 Service, the results of the sensor's thermopile array were as follows:

255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255

Even by pressing the Update button didn't work. The I2C Address was set to 208 and the Threshold value was set to 500.

Even with the Hyperterm communication, the results of the TPA81 are the same.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Theo Xanthopoulos

Autolaunching an MSRS Service from Windows CE

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:57:46 GMT

I spent almost 4 hours on the phone today with a good friend (James Y. Wilson - Windows CE Expert) trying to get a new Robotics Studio service we wrote to start up automatically when Windows CE boots up. The service is the AutonomousFollowing service, which allows one of our new robots (aka Stinger) to follow a line and watch for objects in front of it. It's part of our demo at Maker Faire on May 19-20th, 2007.

Anyway, we attempted to use the AutoLaunch facility with no luck. Eventually, Jim had the bright idea of creating a shortcut to the cf.dsshost.exe application (which starts an MSRS DSS node), copy and paste it into the '\Windows\StartUp' folder, and modify the properties to add the command line parameters for the service (such as the ports and manifest location). We struggled with it for a while, getting the right command line set up correctly, but eventually it worked.

The final command for the shortcut looks like this:

"\Program Files\AutonomousFollowing\bin\cf.dsshost.exe" /p:50000 /t:50001 /m:..\samples\platforms\roboticsconnection\msrsdemo\autonomousfollowing\autonomousfollwing.manifest.xml

Is that long enough for you??? :) When naming your service, you might want to take the time to choose a much shorter name. LoL

Once I pasted the shortcut to '\Windows\StartUp', I simply right clicked on the file, and then clicked on 'Properties', then modified the Target under the 'Shortcut' tab.

There's also a good explanations for creating shortcuts for WinCE apps here:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/aa731295.aspx

Also, about the time we got the application to automatically launch, Paul Roberts from the MSRS team replied back to an earlier email with the following:

We haven’t used AutoLaunch to start a DSS Node. To avoid having to modify the registry we created a tool called MsrsAutoStart.exe which we use to start the node. This also waits 15 seconds before starting the program in its command line, this a) allows the system time to stabilize if necessary and b) allows an interactive user to choose not to run the node.

We then create a shortcut to MsrsAutoStart with a command line for the node and place the shortcut in the /Windows/Startup directory.

For details on how to create a shortcut file there is an article on msdn [1]

If all the MSRS files are in \Program Files\MSRS\bin then the command line would look like…

“\Program Files\MSRS\bin\MsrsAutoStart.exe” “\Program Files\MSRS\bin\cf.dsshost.exe” –p:50000 –t:50001 –m:sumoplayer.hardware.manifest.xml

Like the rest of the MSRS code, MsrsAutoStart is a .Net CF application and if .Net CF is not installed on the machine then it will fail silently.

Hope this Helps

Paul

So, after struggling so long to get the app to launch (due to my own ignorance of how Win CE works), I decided to post the solution for others to use.

By the way, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP JIM!!!

Serializer Services now ported to CF

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:56:32 GMT

We just finished porting the Serializer Services to work under the Compact Framework for WinCE and MSRS CTP 1.5.

We'll be releasing those services over the next few weeks. If anyone needs a BETA release, just drop us a line, and we'll email them to you.

Also, please see the following posts regarding using MSRS with WinCE:

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1551429&SiteID=1

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1536326&SiteID=1

Serializer Services Solution Error under Visual Studio Express Editions

jsummerour — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:04:12 GMT

Please note that our Serializer, SerializerLite, and other service solutions contain projects built for the .NET compact framework (for use on Windows CE devices).

If you are using any of the Microsoft Visual Studio Express editions to build our services, you will see an error when you open the solution similar to this:

---------------------------
Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
---------------------------
The project file 'C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.5)\samples\Platforms\RoboticsConnection\SerializerServices\cf.SerializerServices.csproj' cannot be opened.

The project type is not supported by this installation.
---------------------------
OK Cancel Help
---------------------------

The Visual Studio Express editions do not support the Compact Framework projects. However, you can simply exclude these projects from the solution, and happily build and run the serivces on the desktop.

Best Regards,