Re: Re RoboStix Communication Hey Dave

Hi Roy,

On 7/10/05, Roy O'Neill <royoneill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> THanks for the info, for some reason I still have to learn the source force
> reply to function. Anyhow thanks for replying to my questions. One thing I
> am very uncertain about is that when I plug the gumstix and robostix
> together they fit very good. But when I plug in my other card so I can have
> wireless connectivity, the GumStix has to be bowed and the wireless board
> rests right on the RoboStix. Do they make a patch cable so I can have
> everthing connected but not have the RoboStix and the Wireless board
> touching? I know when I get start getting some wires attatched to the
> robostix that will only get worse LOL 

There isn't currently anything that I'm aware of. If the back row of
headers (the ones that are one and two deep) were replaced by right
angle connectors, then things would fit together better, The height of
the right angle connectors that I have is about the same as the height
of the power plug.

The bluetooth wireless would work.

Getting a robostix with no headers and soldering the headers on the
bottom would also work.

> Also you said that there is already communications between the GumStix and
> the RoboStix. How do I send commands to it from the Gumstix, do you know of
> anyone offering any samples code? If I have the GumStix hooked up to the
> RoboStix does that mean I dont have to use a programmer to develop on the
> RoboStix? 

I'm working on some code, but it isn't available yet.

> I am currantly sending commands from my gumstix accross serial to my Mavric
> Microcontroller and my program on my Microcontroller accepts the commands
> and they does what ever it is the command tells it to. In order to get that
> set up, I had to use a programmer to push a program designed for my
> microcontroller with a JTAG programmer. Is the same setup that I will have
> to do with the GumStix RoboStix Combo? 

To program the robostix right now, you need to use an ISP programmer
(like the one pointed to on the robostix webpage).  In order to get
JTAG to work it looks like a couple of mods would need to be made to
the board.

> Also does the RoboStix share memory with the Gumstix? If not how much memory
> will the RoboStix hold? 

No - no shared memory. The Robostix uses an ATMega128. The full
datasheet can be found here:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc2467.pdf

The ATMega128 has 128K bytes of flash, 4K bytes of SRAM, and 4K bytes of EEPROM.

> Do I have to program the RoboStix seperated from the
> GumStix? 

It's a comepletely separate processor.

> Ok I dont think I am getting anywheres these questions I am asking
> just bring me to other questions. 
>   
> Is there some docs explaining how to program the RoboStix and Some sample
> code? Thanks for all the help. I have two robots built, they dont do
> anything yet, but they look good. Any tips of where to next would be great.

I'll put together some LED flashing code.

-- 
Dave Hylands
Vancouver, BC, Canada
http://www.DaveHylands.com/


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