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UPDATE JAN 2012: This project was featured on Pololu's website under Resources/Community Projects. http://www.pololu.com/resources/communityprojects
INTRODUCTION
In this project, I use two Pololu Wixel transceivers to remotely control an Arduino robot from a PC running a terminal emulator software where I use the keyboard to tell the Arduino robot, via wireless connection, which direction to move (f=forward, b=back, l=left, r=right, s=stop).
This is by far one of the simplest robots I had to put together. Mostly because I am reusing my past robot project parts and code and in no small measure due to the simplicity of the Wixel wireless solution.
ABOUT WIXEL TRANSCEIVERS
Pololu's Wixel transceivers are inexpensive and easy to deploy. I bought two for about $40 plus shipping. The transceivers come with all the applications needed to turn it into a wireless serial port. The vendor does a great job with documenting the setup of the Wixels but in a nutshell this is what's involved in setting up a Wixel:
-- Plug each Wixel into into the PC via mini-USB
-- Install the vendor's Windows drivers and configuration utility.
-- Using the Wixel Configuration Utility load the the vendor provided applet named Wixel Wireless Serial Application. Make certain the Wixels and Arduino have the same baud rate.
Once you have performed the above steps for each Wixel, you can disconnect them from the PC and they will retain their code, just like the Arduino. You now have two Wixels that will talk to each other as two serial com ports.
The simplest way to test if your Wixels are communicating with one another is to connect each to a separate PC running a terminal emulator such as TeraTerm. Set both terminal emulators serial ports and parameters to those of the attached Wixel and start typing on the keyboard. You will see what you typed on the other PC's terminal emulator screen. It's that simple.
The only downside of the Wixel is the short range. The vendor documentation says it's about 60 feet. But the simplicity of deployment compensates for the short distance. If all you need is indoors wireless functionality and ease of use, Wixel is a good choice.
No, this project is not sponsored by Pololu...blah blah blah. I am simply impressed by this well-packaged gizmo.
HARDWARE PARTS
-- Wixel Transceivers X 2. If you are not into soldering you can get the Wixels with headers ready to plug into your breadboard: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1336
-- Arduino Uno: http://store.arduino.cc/ww/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_12&products_id=195
-- Arduino prototyping shield (optional)
-- Micro Servos X 2. I used the Turingy TG9e which I modified for continuous rotation. You can buy servos already modified for continuous rotation. If you already have 2 servos and wish to modify them for continuous rotation, there are plenty of tutorials if you search around the web. I used servos instead of DC motors to drive the robot because servos can be controlled and powered from an Arduino without the complications of an h-bridge which is needed to power and control DC motors.
-- AA X 6 Batteries
-- Breadboards and wires.
-- The robot platform is an empty 3.5 USB external drive case covered with Velcro to facilitate ease of adjustment and removal of robot parts. I am not a big fan of permanent attachments. The wheels of the robot were taken from a toy car and are connected together via mechanical construction set parts and tape and paper clips. Refer to my previous robot project on how this platform was assembled: http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-based-robot-with-IR-radar/
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
Arduino IDE 1.0 for Windows
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/software
Wixel Windows Drivers and Software (release 110705)
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1337/resources
Wixel Wireless Serial Application
http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J46/9.b
TeraTerm Terminal Emulator (shareware)
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002416/teraterm.html
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
WIXEL AND ARDUINO WIRING:
Wixel GND pin -----> Arduino GND pin
Wixel VIN pin -----> Arduino 5V pin
Wixel TX pin P1_6 -----> Arduino Digital Pin 0 (RX)
WIXEL ON PC (COMMAND ANC CONTROL):
The Wixel on the PC needs to be connected via a mini-USB. That's all.
SERVO WIRING:
Servo Left - Signal (Yellow wire on my servo) -----> Arduino Digital Pin 10
Servo Left - GND (Black wire on my servo) -----> Arduino GND pin
Servo Left - VIN (Red wire on my servo) -----> Arduino 5V pin
Servo Right - Signal (Yellow wire on my servo) -----> Arduino Digital Pin 11
Servo Right - GND (Black wire on my servo) -----> Arduino GND pin
Servo Right - VIN (Red wire on my servo) -----> Arduino 5V pin
BATTERIES:
Battery Red wire (+) -----> Arduino VIN pin
Battery Black wire (-) -----> Arduino GND pin
ARDUINO CODE
See attached file "wixelrobot.ino"
FEEDBACK
As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
LINKS
I found this guide to be useful in learning more about Wixel:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Introducing-the-Wixel-USB-Wireless-Module
INTRODUCTION
In this project, I use two Pololu Wixel transceivers to remotely control an Arduino robot from a PC running a terminal emulator software where I use the keyboard to tell the Arduino robot, via wireless connection, which direction to move (f=forward, b=back, l=left, r=right, s=stop).
This is by far one of the simplest robots I had to put together. Mostly because I am reusing my past robot project parts and code and in no small measure due to the simplicity of the Wixel wireless solution.
ABOUT WIXEL TRANSCEIVERS
Pololu's Wixel transceivers are inexpensive and easy to deploy. I bought two for about $40 plus shipping. The transceivers come with all the applications needed to turn it into a wireless serial port. The vendor does a great job with documenting the setup of the Wixels but in a nutshell this is what's involved in setting up a Wixel:
-- Plug each Wixel into into the PC via mini-USB
-- Install the vendor's Windows drivers and configuration utility.
-- Using the Wixel Configuration Utility load the the vendor provided applet named Wixel Wireless Serial Application. Make certain the Wixels and Arduino have the same baud rate.
Once you have performed the above steps for each Wixel, you can disconnect them from the PC and they will retain their code, just like the Arduino. You now have two Wixels that will talk to each other as two serial com ports.
The simplest way to test if your Wixels are communicating with one another is to connect each to a separate PC running a terminal emulator such as TeraTerm. Set both terminal emulators serial ports and parameters to those of the attached Wixel and start typing on the keyboard. You will see what you typed on the other PC's terminal emulator screen. It's that simple.
The only downside of the Wixel is the short range. The vendor documentation says it's about 60 feet. But the simplicity of deployment compensates for the short distance. If all you need is indoors wireless functionality and ease of use, Wixel is a good choice.
No, this project is not sponsored by Pololu...blah blah blah. I am simply impressed by this well-packaged gizmo.
HARDWARE PARTS
-- Wixel Transceivers X 2. If you are not into soldering you can get the Wixels with headers ready to plug into your breadboard: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1336
-- Arduino Uno: http://store.arduino.cc/ww/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_12&products_id=195
-- Arduino prototyping shield (optional)
-- Micro Servos X 2. I used the Turingy TG9e which I modified for continuous rotation. You can buy servos already modified for continuous rotation. If you already have 2 servos and wish to modify them for continuous rotation, there are plenty of tutorials if you search around the web. I used servos instead of DC motors to drive the robot because servos can be controlled and powered from an Arduino without the complications of an h-bridge which is needed to power and control DC motors.
-- AA X 6 Batteries
-- Breadboards and wires.
-- The robot platform is an empty 3.5 USB external drive case covered with Velcro to facilitate ease of adjustment and removal of robot parts. I am not a big fan of permanent attachments. The wheels of the robot were taken from a toy car and are connected together via mechanical construction set parts and tape and paper clips. Refer to my previous robot project on how this platform was assembled: http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-based-robot-with-IR-radar/
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
Arduino IDE 1.0 for Windows
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/software
Wixel Windows Drivers and Software (release 110705)
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1337/resources
Wixel Wireless Serial Application
http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J46/9.b
TeraTerm Terminal Emulator (shareware)
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002416/teraterm.html
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
WIXEL AND ARDUINO WIRING:
Wixel GND pin -----> Arduino GND pin
Wixel VIN pin -----> Arduino 5V pin
Wixel TX pin P1_6 -----> Arduino Digital Pin 0 (RX)
WIXEL ON PC (COMMAND ANC CONTROL):
The Wixel on the PC needs to be connected via a mini-USB. That's all.
SERVO WIRING:
Servo Left - Signal (Yellow wire on my servo) -----> Arduino Digital Pin 10
Servo Left - GND (Black wire on my servo) -----> Arduino GND pin
Servo Left - VIN (Red wire on my servo) -----> Arduino 5V pin
Servo Right - Signal (Yellow wire on my servo) -----> Arduino Digital Pin 11
Servo Right - GND (Black wire on my servo) -----> Arduino GND pin
Servo Right - VIN (Red wire on my servo) -----> Arduino 5V pin
BATTERIES:
Battery Red wire (+) -----> Arduino VIN pin
Battery Black wire (-) -----> Arduino GND pin
ARDUINO CODE
See attached file "wixelrobot.ino"
FEEDBACK
As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
LINKS
I found this guide to be useful in learning more about Wixel:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Introducing-the-Wixel-USB-Wireless-Module
wixelrobot.ino3 KB
When I try to power all these using a battery something goes wrong.
I have the servos (9g mini servos) get power from the 5v of arduino, and I connect the Vin of Arduino(nano) with 9.6volts batteries. When I use the batteries I have random moves from the servos and they do not respond as they should to the commands from Putty.
I do not understand what I am missing.
The batteries I am using is a 9.6 volts reschargeble pack (800mHh) from a R/C car
The Arduino Uno R3 schematic:
http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/Arduino_Uno_Rev3-schematic.pdf
To be on the safe side, I assume the max that can be drawn from the Arduino Uno's 5V pin is about 500mA (which is the USB supplied current limit for the Arduino before the resettable polyfuse kicks in) . That should be enough for a setup like mine in this project since each of my servos have about 60mA current draw.
But if you start pulling more current through the Arduino 5v pin than it can handle, at some point the Arduino will reset. I don't know at what current/voltage point the 5V pin will fry but play it safe. The Arduino 5V pin was not designed to supply high current.
The other thing to consider is adding 0.1uf caps across the GND and Vin of the servo pins. Maybe your servos are noisy and that can cause resets.
Finally, you can always power the servos separately by pulling the power directly from the battery and into the servos instead of going via the Arduino 5V pin. Just check your servo voltage specs to make sure you are withing range of your power brick.
here's some discussion about this:
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php?topic=53379.0
Thank you
thank you
But, as I can see from the diagram, techbitar connects it directly, with no voltage divider.I also managed to make all the connections creating a small pan/tilt mechanism, with an arduino nano, 2 servos and and the wixels, and it worked. At least form 10 minutes. After that I disconnected them. I hope I didn't burn anything.
Something strange, is that I was doing all these, for the first time since I got the wixels, at about the time you messaged me. Isn't that strange? I hope you where not spying on me :)))
Connecting Arduino OUTPUT at 5v to Wixel INPUT (rated 3.3v) for two way communication, and setting the OUTPUT pin HIGH will send 5V to the Wixel.
I also mistakenly did so for < aminute and the Wixel was OK, but it is specifically mentioned in the Pololu doco not to do so.
and it was the Wixel spying on you... ;) they are wireless after all.
ps You can also use something like this;
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8745
I firstly used 2 way communication. I hopr I did not burn anything
So these wixels are big brother's machines. I knew it.
And this is a reason to avoid 2 way communication, not the 5volts:))
I am a beginner in robotics so i needed some help from you I was wondering if you could make the code a little easy to read so i can understand it.
Thanks For Your Help,
Bhavyamadan
thank you for your time,
veritas
my doubt is about tera term terminal emulator how to use it as the link provided by you takes me to the webpage and after downloading it............. how to run this
am using windows 7 on my laptop so how do i use the terminal emulator as am finding a set of files in this folder but not able to run this terminal emulator so please guide on how to run this on my windows 7 computer
and thanx for that info
but my second question on serial communication you are using arduino for controlling the robot right
so why are u not using arduino's serial monitor by selecting wixel plugged to computer that is wixel plugged in-->computer say its name is COM3 select this in arduino serial monitor and send data is this possible with wixel or no
or u are deliberately using terminal emulator due to some reason .....so thats not clear to me so
i have already done that and it worked well but the problem is hitting the enter buton every time to send a controll that makes it a bit ugly ....... can u tell me how terminal emulator is different from arduino's monitor .....if u would like to share it.....
this is a nice tutorial whose trying to do this kinda projects ill like to thank u for your effort to make this tutorial:)
am actually getting my fire fighting robot ready for a competition which uses computer control i am right know working on the mechanical aspects of the robot once it is fully ready ill post a link to you tube showing my robots video.........