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OpenWRT router interfaced to an Ar%&#*o (could be a Propeller!!) — Parallax Forums

OpenWRT router interfaced to an Ar%&#*o (could be a Propeller!!)

mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
edited 2012-07-21 08:22 in General Discussion
Interesting hack to play with from Dangerous Prototypes.

http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/07/19/openwrt-router-wr703n-interfaced-to-arduino-and-compared-to-raspberry-pi-and-ubuntu/

No reason it has to be that other micro-controller.

Comments

  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-07-19 09:40
    When you consider all the rather expensive options for a LAN and Internet interface for the Propeller - a hacked router becomes one of the best bargains around. And OpenWRT is one of the better places to start.

    My home wifi router is a hacked Asus with another Linux, Oleg-the-Russians. I do have two RS232 ttl serial ports that I could use to set up a Propeller interface. And the Linux is there for doing almost anything.

    What does a hackable router cost these days? And it comes with lots of ports, maybe USB, and a few other items - plus it is in a nice chassis.

    I have set up a Propeller as a dumb terminal so that eventually I might use the serial port on the router to monitor activity. But there are so many other projects to get to as well.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-07-19 10:06
    Loopy,
    When I concider the options for getting a Prop on the net now a days I can only conclude the Raspberry Pi is the best option.
    With a serial link from Prop to Pi I can give my Prop a net connection, an SD card and file system, access to USB gadgets like mouse, keyboard, WIFI etc.
    Not to mention being able to develop Spin and C code for the Prop on the Pi.
    Not saying the Pi is the be all and end all of such ideas but it is very cheap, well supported and I hope the beginning of a trend that others will follow.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-07-19 10:14
    With the growing hacker base getting their hands on RPi, it's becoming a force that's hard to ignore and presents a lot of potential as a host/support device to Propellers and other microcontrollers. Both solutions offer interesting possibilities and server their purpose but if I were a betting man, my money would go on RPi.....in fact, mine did, I just need to pop out of the shipping queue.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-07-19 15:54
    I am not even in the Pi Q (queue) ;(

    But I think the MK802 is even better for some things and is gaining some traction. It is 2x the price (~$62 inc shipping on eBay bidding), but smaller, A8 1.5GHz 1GB (there are slower 512MB version for a couple of bucks less) and has wifi and in a case. Be nice if we could tap into a serial connection.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-07-19 16:29
    MK802? Must go googling! hmmm, wifi? Case? USB? ...and more memory?? Could be a winner!!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-07-20 11:54
    One day it is Raspberry Pi, the next day it is Blueberry Pies from Hostess.....
    Has the Parallax Forums been hijacked completely by blatant touts?

    I hacked an Asus router and greatly enjoy it.

    It could use OpenWRT, but I suspect the Raspberry Pi would have no reason to use OpenWRT as it has only the one LAN port. How would one get a gateway and a firewall into it? Plus I have the Wifi.

    Of course, the Linux router has no X Windows or video to deal with, though it nicely sends HTML to other computers for display.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-07-20 12:46
    Loopy,
    Good point, if you want a router better to use something with the hardware to support many ports and wifi if you like.
    My Pi works quite happily without the X Windows system, use the console serial port or a WEB interface.
    It makes a good cheap gateway from IP network to gadgets. That's it.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-07-20 12:57
    I am still interested to see what some of youall do with the Raspberry Pi's video. It seems rather a waste not to use that side of the processor's capacity.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-07-20 13:25
    Never mind the video.
    I'm thinking a Prop can provide a VGA terminal interface for the PI which it does not have.
    Then a Prop can provide an RTC which the PI does not have.
    Then ia Prop can provide huge IO expansion to all kind of devices which the PI does not have.
    It's a win all around. "Propeller PI". The mix of small,cheap Linux machine + Prop interfacing I have been dreaming of for years now.
  • Ray0665Ray0665 Posts: 231
    edited 2012-07-20 16:13
    The R-Pi / Prop combo is indeed a great match. I am just starting out on my next robot which will use the prop to control the hardware and the R-Pi to do the top level thinking. As a bonus a Pi with wifi gives internet command and control.
    dynOmite..
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-07-21 08:22
    I've actually considered installing a Propeller Protoboard inside my desktop computer. After all the power for floppy disk drives is there to use and I added a USB card that included one USB port inside the computer.

    To do so, I have an empty CD player chassis that could house the board in a slot that makes it available from the front of the computer. Alternatively, I could remove the floppy disk and use a smaller slot.

    In this way, I'd have the use of Ubuntu Linux in the desktop and easy access to the Protoboard for adaptations.

    Has anyone done anything like this?
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