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Advice needed for noob — Parallax Forums

Advice needed for noob

BattleGooseBattleGoose Posts: 6
edited 2010-08-26 22:41 in General Discussion
Hello All,

This is my first post. I'm just entering into this new world. But I need some advice for a project I'm going to be doing.

I have 8 motors that I need to send instructions to and receive responses from. Based on date and time of day, I instruct each motor to move to a pre-defined position. I will have up to 32,000 date/time/position points that I need to store. Probably more.

I would also like to play with some kind of LCD display, wireless communication with the device, and GPS capability. And, now that I'm thinking about it, some way to manually move my motors using the device. Ie: one switch to take a motor offline, another switch (3 position) to move the motor (1 axis).

If anyone can help suggest the hardware I need to get started, I would really appreciate it.

Comments

  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2010-08-12 19:18
    Start smaller and build as you learn. What kind of motors? You can use dc, stepper or servo motors to rotate and you need some sort of encoder to tell where the shaft is. there are real time clock chips and gps modules to tell time so there are too many variables in your plan to give specific advice. As I said take a small chunk and learn how to do that then expand on to another small chunk.
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-08-12 19:32
    As Franklin said, you gotta take it slow. The propeller is a excellent microcontroller and it could probably do all of the things you require. You just got to build up slow. First get a propeller, blink some leds and then try to tackle harder stuff(Like motor control, which will most likely need external hardware).....Interesting avatar BTW....Ahem
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2010-08-12 21:13
    Lots of positions... That sounds like stepper motors.
    8 independent motors..... That sounds like a job for the Propeller.
    Real Time Clock... The Propeller has an object for that too. You don't have to use an exernal chip.

    The other numbers may seem big, but 32-bits of binary is a much bigger number.

    Data strorage... An SDcard connected to the Propeller or an EEProm.

    It would be silly to start with a BasicStamp or an SX.
    Of course, you might find you need two Propellers, but that is still better than 16 of something else.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2010-08-12 21:34
    Yes, I agree with most of what's been said so far. Ultimately, you'll want to use the Propeller chip. But if you're unfamiliar with microcontrollers, then you might want to start out with the Basic Stamp, work through all the simple stuff step by step, then graduate to the Propeller and start adding on capabilities. If you have previous microprocessor experience, then you can jump into the Propeller right away and start working your way through the Object Exchange for things like GPS, SD cards for data storage, etc.

    :)
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2010-08-12 22:37
    Battlegoose, welcome to the forums. I'd also use the Propeller for this project. Once you make your way over to the Propeller forum you're going to find a whole bunch of help.

    About the avatar - it's got to be changed. We have kids as young as nine or ten on the forums and the image is of questionable content. If you could please change it next time you read the forums that would be great, else our moderators will do it for you.
  • BattleGooseBattleGoose Posts: 6
    edited 2010-08-13 06:22
    Thanks for the advice, guys. Sorry about the avatar, wasn't thinking.
  • Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
    edited 2010-08-13 14:00
    Hey BattleGoose, just an fyi to update your profile pic also.
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2010-08-13 19:32
    BattleGoose,

    Welcome to our world. Picking a processor is tough. The easier they are to learn, the sooner you are most likely going to outgrow them. Especially in robotics.

    I recommend checking out the propeller. It might be tad harder to get started on the the investment will pay dividends and it is still pretty easy. You don't even have to worry about all the Cogs initially. Just use the initial cog for simple applications until you are ready. Additionally the propeller forum has to be one of the greatest resources on the planet for helping people learn. No one is likely to "do it for you" but you will find an incredible depth of knowledge just waiting to help you solve problem, point you in the right way and generally make sure you can be successful. Truly one of the worlds best forums an not because of the forum software :).
    Feel free to drop me a PM anytime.
  • BattleGooseBattleGoose Posts: 6
    edited 2010-08-26 16:28
    Thanks guys. If I go with the propeller, what is the hardware I need to get started with?
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-08-26 19:19
    I would recommend either of these two......The first is already assembled/ tested, and is ready for programming.
    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/340/Default.aspx

    The second is the one i chose to start out with. You will get to breadboard your own propeller setup and know how to use the various parts(Crystals, EEPROMs...ect). This instills good circuit building principles at the start, plus it gives quite a few other useful components. It has LED's, jumper wires, infrared emitters/ detectors... AND it comes with a book. I would probably pick this one if you like making your own things...
    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerProgrammingKits/tabid/144/CategoryID/20/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/415/Default.aspx


    Good luck....
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2010-08-26 22:41
    Ravenkallen's suggestion of the Propeller Education Kit - 40 pin DIP Version
    is the way to go IMO.

    As you work with it just post any questions here and you will get
    all the help you will need! This is a very friendly site for newcomers.
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