Wireless Programming via Blue Tooth

SteveWoodrough

A few years back I was using View Port to wireless program the Prop via a Blue Tooth connection. This was handy if the bot was on the floor and needed a program change etc. I could upload a new program without having to reconnect the USB cable.

I had to take a break from the hobby for 2 years to relocate family, and set up house, and I am getting back into things. I tried using VP but the application update did not seem to work like it used to. I reached out for Hanno but I have not heard back, hope everything is OK.

Is VP still in use / supported? Is there another method or technique to upload spin files via a BT connection?

Thanks
Steve Woodrough

Tubular

Hi Steve

Not sure what Hanno is up to nowadays

However i've found the Adafruit EZlink excellent for no fuss programming. The two features that make it good are that it toggles DTR (widest compatibility), and baud rate matches whatever you set on the PC end. Only thing its missing is the edge detecting transistor, but there is a way to install this on the back of the PCB with a bit of care. I'll try and post some photos of what I ended up with

I power the EZlink from a servo header (gives it 5 volts) on the prop board

Peter Jakacki

Tubular wrote: »

Only thing its missing is the edge detecting transistor,

You can cheat and just capacitively couple from the DTR directly to the reset line with a small cap of around 1,000pf or so (this works).

Tubular

Ok, must try that. I generally pull up rx, tx, res using a ~33k K res net at the prop plug connection. I guess a big enough cap would transfer the right charge to effect a reset.

However there are some pads on the back of the EZlink that accept a sot23 transistor on the right angle, so its not a big deal to add in.

There are a few new, small bluetooth modules available now with integrated antenna, for around the $6 mark. eg Microchip BM71

SteveWoodrough

As is usually the case, I’m out of my depth. My knowledge and experience with the BT wireless connection programming is like that of a TV set. I can turn it on and off, change the channels, etc. but I really do not “know” how it works.

I was able to locate an old version of VP that allows me to wirelessly upload programs via a cheap BT module.
Wireless Bluetooth V2.0 RS232 TTL Transceiver Module

http://www.dx.com/p/wireless-bluetooth-rs232-ttl-transceiver-module-80711#.V4BlJY-cHDd

So from that perspective, the problem is solved, QED.

However, I would like to learn how to accomplish the same result using the Propeller 1.3 Tool.

My BT module ($6 at DX.com) setup is VERY basic, 3.3V, ground, Tx and Rx. There are other connection contacts but that is all I ever had to connect.

By arbitrary convention my BT Tx is Prop pin 0 , and BT Rx is Prop pin 1.
Using VP and the CONDUIT object I would first Load the program using the wired serial port, then Run subsequent programs using the BT serial port.
If I try loading and or running the same applications using just the Propeller Tool, it does not work, clearly VP is somehow facilitating the BT connection.
So, if I want to use a basic BT module, that I already have, and the Propeller tool, what steps do I take to facilitate the ability to wirelessly update the prop via BT?
Thanks
Steve