Need more I/O ports -

Jeffg

I am building an ROV that will be controlled via PC-Stamp2, and using C# within the Microsoft Robotics framework.··The ROV is done, the basic interface is done, the connection is done, and all appears to be working very well. I spent so much time getting everything to work together and making lots of in-line improvements that I lost track of how many ports that I will need.
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Basically ........·I am out of I/O ports.
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This is the·current layout:
0 used
1 used
2 was IR receiver - now is lower light control
3 was IR headlight - now is upper light control
4- Speaker
5 used - system
6 used - system
7·thruster left
8·thruster right
9·ballast control in
10·· ballast control status
11 leak detector lower
12 motor right
13 motor left
14 thrusters up
15 thrusters down
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·The gotcha is that I need about·10 more I/O ports.
··· ······· Leak detector upper
····· ····· Compass
····· ····· GPS
Camera control left/right/up/down
Temperature
Drive control - land - right
Drive control - land - left
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What is the best way to expand the capacity within the framework of the Parallax controller, and Microsoft Robotics?

·I am open to suggestion.
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Thx,
·
·
·Jeff

Mike Green

I'm not very familiar with Microsoft Robotics, but the StampWorks manual which you can download from the Stamps in Class Tutorials section of Parallax's Downloads webpage has examples of the use of various I/O expander chips like the 74HC595 and 74HC165. There have also been good articles in the Nuts and Volts columns.

Chris Savage

Jeff,

Using the ICs Mike suggested I would recommend moving simple on/off control functions such as lights and thrusters to the 74HC595 and the simple on/off input detection such as the leak detectors to the 74HC165. This will allow you to keep 12 I/O pins open for special commands that only work directly on I/O pins. With an SPI bus you could add several of each IC using only 4 I/O lines from the BASIC Stamp. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

Jeffg

Outstanding ! Thanks for the info.

I couldn't find the Stampworks book in the Stamps in Class Tutorial downloads. I did find al the rest of the class books - great stuff. Did I miss something or should I just purchase the STampworks book?

Mike Green

I may have had the website section wrong. Go to the main page and use the search box to look for StampWorks. You'll find a "hit" for the book. Go to that page and there'll be a link to the downloadable version and its sample programs.

Jeffg

got it. thx.