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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:20 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 122
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| Dear Host, I'm really new to this robot thing, I have some software engineering background and my goal is to put together a basic functioning system (by basic functioning system I mean I would be able to use my laptop to control the Traxster II via bluetooth and make it move around), Here's a shopping list I come up with: - Traxster II chasis
- Serailizer board
- Bluetooth connector (the only bluetooth interface I found on your website is the $150 one, but I found something called "Bluetooth Connector" on Trossen website, which cost only $60, should work with the serializer board, right? please confirm.)
- UHF antena
and I already have the following: - Laptop running Windows Vista, with bluetooth capability
- MSDN subscription (so I can download .NET and other MicroSoft Robot stuff. If you can tell me exactly what software package do I need, that'll be great)
Did I miss anything? Also, what does the encoder do? Does the serializer replace the encoder or work with the encoder? Sorry about all these really basic questions, I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks much!
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Monday, October 31, 2011 9:18 PM
Posts: 640,
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| Hi Hexn, Glad to help out..lDon't worry about asking these questions.  We have actually discontinued use of the Bluetooth modules, and rely solely on XBee modules. The XBee modules have less configuration issues (meaning you don't have to worry about which bluetooth stack your computer uses and is supported), and in the end, the hardware is just as cheap. Additionally, the Xbee modules allow (very soon) you to connect to multiple Serializers/Robots using one PC/Application using the XBee Broadcast PAN functionality. We are launching a product Jan 1st that will be the first to leverage the XBee Broadcast PAN functionality, and the Serialzier will soon follow. We will release a new firmware version at that point, and all Serializer v3.0s can be updated to leverage this functionality. Anyway, instead of the BT module, you'll need one Xbee USB Carrier Module, one Xbee module w/ Whip Antenna (for the USB Carrier board), one XBee module w/ U.FL connector, and the U.FL antenna you listed. Basically the XBee USB Carrier plugs into your PC, and looks like a Serial Port. The XBee module w/ whip antenna plugs into the USB Carrier module, and communicates w/ the other XBee module w/ U.FL connector/Antenna plugged into the Serializer. Everything else on your list looks a-okay to me. Let me know if you have any more questions! Best Regards!
Jason Summerour
President,
Summerour Robotics Corporation
www.roboticsconnection.com
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:20 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 122
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| Hi Jason, Thanks for your prompt reply. I chose bluetooth over XBee for simplicity, also with bluetooth, potentially I can program my PDA or iPhone to control the chasis. This is the bluetooth connector I was talking about: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5199-Bluetooth-Communication-Connector.aspxM You said you have discontinued the bluetooth module, but if I get this connect, will it still work? Please let me know, thank you.
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Monday, October 31, 2011 9:18 PM
Posts: 640,
Visits: 819
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| Yes, if Trossen still has some BT modules in stock, they will work. When you pair the module with your Bluetooth radio, you'll need to use the passphrase '0000' (one time) to connect to it. Best Regards!
Jason Summerour
President,
Summerour Robotics Corporation
www.roboticsconnection.com
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:20 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 122
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| Thanks Jason. Just placed the order on your website this morning . I don't know what I'm getting myself into, lol The serializer board you are shipping now is the latest V3.0, right? Cheers
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Monday, October 31, 2011 9:18 PM
Posts: 640,
Visits: 819
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| You'll have fun! Yes, we're now shipping Serializer v3.0. Thank you for your business! Best Regards!
Jason Summerour
President,
Summerour Robotics Corporation
www.roboticsconnection.com
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:20 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 122
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| Just realized that I forgot to order the most critical element: Power. can I power the motor AND the serializer using a single 9.6v/2200mAh 8 cell pack? or do I need a seperate pack for serializer, please advise. Thx.
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Monday, October 31, 2011 9:18 PM
Posts: 640,
Visits: 819
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:20 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 122
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| Hi Jason, Just received the bluetooth module from trossen today and the Traxster kit should be here on Monday, can't wait I've downloaded C# express and installed the Serializer .NET liberary. Just wondering where do you keep all the sample codes? Is it available on the website? Please let me know. Just want to get something that I can play with right out of the box  Thx much! Regards, Henry
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Supreme Being
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Monday, October 31, 2011 9:18 PM
Posts: 640,
Visits: 819
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| Oh, good deal! Glad they still had a few! If you navigate to our home page (or any page for that matter), you will see a blue box on the left hand side that says 'Example Apps', and under that a link to 'Example Applications'. There are plenty of examples & solutions there that you can download to get you started w/ the Serializer. Also, on the Serializer page, under Docs/Downloads, click on the Serializer .NET Documentation, and there's an example for every type of object the Serializer .NET Lib API provides, under the objects topic, and titled 'Example Source Code'. You plug the encoders into the Serializer (see Traxster assembly guide), and you can use the PIDMotorController object to command it to drive a specified distance, and a specified speed. It will travel that exact distance, and maintain that exact speed. It's all done for you... The best bluetooth dongle we've ever used (and have always had them connect to the Serializer BT module) is the Linksys USBBT100. I don't care for Linksys at all, but this was one product they developed that I did like. If you're interested in Microsoft Robotics Studio, we do also have the Serializer Services for them. The latest download can be found in a few posts in the Serializer Services for MRDS section here on the forums. Best Regards!
Jason Summerour
President,
Summerour Robotics Corporation
www.roboticsconnection.com
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