Propellor Backpack + USB Serial Control

gmarchese

I'm having issues interfacing the propellor backpack with my PropPlug usb to serial device. I wish to control a video overlay system, and later wish to add animated graphics overlay (such as done in the DiyDrones HUD) The first part is getting serial communications working with something other than the 3 pin header, and the Open Drain serial.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

You can still use the basic_sio object with the PropPlug, or you can use FullDuplexSerial or Parallax Serial Terminal. To use basic_sio, just call the start_explicit method instead of start to get it rolling:

  sio.start_explicit(31, 30, 9600)

After that, the prop_backpack_overlay_terminal program should work as advertised, but via the PropPlug port instead of the three-pin port.

-Phil

gmarchese

Thats what i did... so,im not totally crazy. It did have an issue identifying the chip in BST, so I'll try my other computer.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

You still need to provide +5V power through the three-pin connector, since none is provided by the PropPlug. Were you dong that?

-Phil

gmarchese

I have the 3 pin header connected to power and gnd. PropPlug on the proper header. I can program fine, and the overlay demo checks out... trying to send commands through the terminal modified for hte usb prop plug doesnt seem to be working too well though.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Please post your entire program (archived zip), and let me take a look at it.

-Phil

gmarchese

prop_backpack_overlay_terminal-bst-archive-111118-201403.zip
see attached

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Got it. What are you using to drive the overlay terminal program from your PC?

-Phil

gmarchese

I was using the parallax serial terminal.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

I think I know what the problem is. You can't just send text from the get-go and expect to see it displayed in the overlay. You first have to send the commands that create and set up the overlay windows, then you can send the overlay text. Please see the overlay document and PropBP_overlay_demo.spin for instructions and examples on how to use the setup commands.

-Phil

gmarchese

I'll try that again... that might be it. I was using the setup commands, but i'm probably typing them in wrong.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

You might have difficulty typing in the named constants, since they're control characters. IOW, you don't spell out their names when you type them in. Each has a defined ASCII value.

-Phil