Using the Propeller Chip for general purpose I/O controller with a PC?

bmb!

I've lurked on here for a while, and have been trying to get more into the Propeller and away from the Basic Stamp. I'm looking at doing a hobby robot project with my son. This would be my most complicated to date.

The robot would have a mini-ITX "brain" and some kind of interface "device" for the digital sensors, motor controller, and analog signals. That device I was thinking could be a Propeller connected to the PC via USB/serial. The Prop would basically accept simple commands (changing pin states) and report back signals to the PC. There would be minimal circuitry on the Propeller board perhaps just an ADC and a bunch of terminals for connecting control lines.

Here is an example device: http://www.xdimax.com/sub20/sub20.html

My question... Instead of reinventing the wheel does anyone know of a similar project with available source code? Has anyone used a Prop in this manner? Would seem likely to me...

Thanks!

codeviper

with QB64 you can talk to a serial port device and write your own programs and compile into true windows binary.
the PROPplug shows as a serial port so does a quick-start board and you can write a prop code to send the sensor data to the ITX mobo and read data from sent from the ITX mobo to run motors.
i did a similar thing with a 486 and the basic stamp.

PS QB64 allows for complete windows API support.

SRLM

Take a look at Parallax's EDDIE robot: http://www.parallax.com/eddie

tonyp12

You want to use a Windows/Linux PC (small mini ITX mother board), you should then also look in to Panda boards.
Going from USB to i2c or spi for GPIO, they make small IC for that.
I used a Prop for a project but ending going for Windows C# to i2c ICs direct route and eliminated the Prop (sorry)

silabs CP2112: hid-usb-to-i2c (only in tiny qfn)
http://www.silabs.com/pages/DownloadDoc.aspx?FILEURL=Support Documents/TechnicalDocs/CP2112_Short.pdf
I have used this chip myself and if you want C# example code pm me.

You can buy their eval board ($29) and use it as a module.
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Silicon-Laboratories/CP2112EK/?qs=j12q4iUN962CHFB%2fkkvFGw%3d%3d

Here is a usb-spi IC.
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en556614
and their eval board may offer everything you need?
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en556988

I ended up using a 8pin i2c LED driver that can pwm up to 152hz as a motor speed controller.
But if your demands are more complex than what off the shelfs i2c/spi chips can offer, go with the Prop.

fixmax

This program makes a pretty good PC front end for the prop. http://www.robotbasic.org/ You can develop a GUI on the PC, and have the prop work as a general purpose IO controller. They even have a pretty good step by step write up on how to do so. http://www.robotbasic.org/12.html. The book is called "A Hardware Interfacing and Control Protocol", which is a prop with a PC. I purchased it over the Kindle, and it's a pretty good book. Well worth the cost ($8).

Ideally, you can work through the book with the PPDB(Parallax Professional Developer board) or even the PDB (Propeller demo board).

Bean

I have created such a board for my work.
It is called a USB-IO board.
It has screw terminals and a DB25 for connections.
It is powered by USB.
I have driver code that allows you to send commands to do I2C and such to make the PC program simple.
It is in expresspcb size so it is cheap to get made.

I use the FTDI dll to use the board from excel and access. But should work with just about any PC language.

If anyone is interested I can post the files when I get back to work.

Bean

T Chap

For the PC side, I like RealBasic, you can use existing examples to communicated to the Prop via USB>serial in minutes sending basic values to the Prop. The RealBasic forum is great for quick response and code help. Download the demo, find the Serial example and run it. Change the baud etc, type in some commands. After you understand the examples, it is easy to create buttons or text fields and send data. Receiving and displaying responses is no problem either, the Serial example will show whatever comes back in to the GUI.