P8X32A with SD shield

New to the stuff

Hi, I am new to the forum and certainly new to electronics of this depth. Trying to learn C language and probably way over my head but I'm trying. I bought the above mentioned prop board and also have a seed SD shield that I want to try and use together if its possible. I need to be able to data log (record) from devices that use serial data in a log chain fashion. I also have the Arduino UNO setup that I purchased , not knowing which one I would be better off using for this project. Also I apologize if I posted this question in the wrong section. Just let me know. I have thick skin. lol. I appreciate in advance anyone who might have the patients to work with me on it. I am going to try and post a link to the device that I want to data log from. Its a technical pdf document from their site that lays out the protocol that they use. -Jim www.innovatemotorsports.com/resources/serial-protocol.php Also, I have tons of resistors, caps and misc stuff. I will buy anything else I need that I may not have. I also have IDA pro and some other programs that may help me out. All I need is some help and hopefully learn something.

JonnyMac

Doing serial communications with the Propeller is a breeze. The unfortunate thing about that spec is that they transmit 16-bit numbers as Big Endian -- the Propeller uses Little Endian format; if the spec matched that it would simplify extracting values from the packet.

Still, it's not hard. After you've received the 16-byte packet could make a simple method like this to fix the Big Endedness

[B]pub [/B]extract_be_value(idx, p_buf) 

'' Extract word value from byte array (stored at p_buf)
'' -- idx is index for the word to be extracted

  idx <<= 1
  result.byte[1] := byte[p_buf][idx]
  result.byte[0] := byte[p_buf][idx+1]

New to the stuff

Ok I see. Thanks for the response. I wount go so far as to ask how to physically get this board up and running, but I an literally just picking up out of the package, so Ill be standing by just in casei get confused.. Jim

prof_braino

Could you post the link to the actual board you have? The P8X32A is the chip, not a board.

Since you are just starting out, there is a tool set that is much simpler (and in my opinion) more fun than C, this alternative is Propforth,

There is a logger that you can simply load, and the only extra parts you need are an SD adaptor, a couple resistors, and some wires.

http://code.google.com/p/propforth/wiki/Logger1Simple

It can log at least one record per second, and provides unique time stamps for longer than you will live. Give it a try, you can ask as many questions as you need.

New to the stuff

here are some pics of what Im working with. if you need actual links, I can also do that.

New to the stuff

hey thanks for the links. Ive downloaded the samles. I am working on actually getting it pinned up on the bread board. any tips i should know???

prof_braino

OK, I see what you have now. I have the Quickstart board (the one with the 8 copper pads for button) but I don't have any of the Arduino looking stuff.

So If you can an SD adapter, you can add an SD to the quickstart per
http://code.google.com/p/propforth/wiki/SDsetupREVISITED

There are several examples of the logger, it can do very accurate time stamps, and it the clock will probably never roll over. Mine has been running to two months and has gained 9 seconds, but I didn't both setting the drift as its better than most of the regualr clocks in my house as it is.

You should use a bread board to get started, don't solder too much until you are sure the circuits are correct. Just make jumpers out of 22 gauge solid core hook up wire.

If you decide to try the forth stuff, just post all your questions. Folks will usually answer even if I'm not available. If you use the spin stuff, there are tons of folks here that will help you. The C stuff is still a little rough, I would hold off on that for a lit, Idon't know if its suitable for beginners at this time. The forth stuff is easiest and most fun if you ask me, but other folks will have other opinions.

New to the stuff

Thanks Johnny Mac and Braino. I do have an SD shield that should work. should I be able to record the serial data from the innovate products that I showed you in the link??. I hope is to do that , or at least use the analog inputs on the arduino board to log it to the shield since it can piggyback the starter board. however, I am equally interested in doing this with the prop board. what programs to use to write micro controllers Im lost. as we used to say in the Army 'LLMF".