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Compass Choice — Parallax Forums

Compass Choice

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-10-28 14:16 in General Discussion
For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
you using ?

I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path.
I don't actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to
mounting it near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I
keep the
robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line.
Any thoughts are welcome.





[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-23 21:36
    I've used the CMPS03 on a BOE-Bot (using BASIC Stamps and the Javelin).
    What I did was mount it a few inches above everything using a plastic
    post. I never had any problems and the output from the CMPS01 always
    matched a reference compass.

    -- Jon Williams
    -- Applications Engineer, Parallax
    -- Dallas Office



    Original Message
    From: Bryan Smith [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=hNod0NpSN7zdr9tWF94QzC5fKRROPjrfrrdTDNgHqyW1BUltPAEZQ5kZNwK7IkpnCoHadzOXmWqydw]bsmith@w...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 3:06 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    Importance: High


    For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    you using ?

    I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the robot
    pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line. Any
    thoughts are welcome.





    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-23 22:02
    Bryan -
    Just how accurate does this need to be?
    I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the grass,
    and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a normal compass.
    I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15 degrees, and occasionally
    even greater variance. Compasses work best when they're far from the ground,
    away from man-made or other ferrous obstructions (houses, gas lines, cars,
    metal edging, sprinkler heads, etc.) Add to this the electromagnetic chaos
    you get in close proximity to a two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get
    anything better than 30-50 degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The
    problem with running compasses near motors and electronics is not one of
    heading offset (i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but
    rather one of erratic, unreliable operation.
    IIRC, the compasses you mentioned aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better
    off going with an inexpensive GPS unit. Many OEM units are available
    nowadays with 15m accuracy for <$120. I think several (try Trimble
    [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and u-blox [noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving
    you fairly consistent 3m accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same
    heading resolution or update rate that you can get with a compass, the data
    you do get will be consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem
    I think you'll run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less
    than the radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your
    yard?
    One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet from
    the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to escape the EMF
    disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive the mower around the
    lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your yard. Through odometry, you
    can determine where you are in the yard (distance from the starting point),
    and maybe even a rough heading estimate (although the slipperiness of grass
    may preclude this option). You can then have a table of magnetic corrections
    for each region or point in the yard. The issue you may face here is going
    beyond the processing and speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think
    this would get you to at least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even
    decent accuracy). Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system
    (bumpers, buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn.
    Any more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)

    - Robert
    Original Message
    From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    > you using ?
    >
    > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    > use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path.
    > I don't actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to
    > mounting it near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I
    > keep the
    > robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line.
    > Any thoughts are welcome.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 14:06
    Have you used the Dinsmore 1525 or 1655 ? I have not found any sample
    code for interfacing them with a Stamp. Would I use an ADC as this
    person has done ?
    ( http://www.angelfire.com/super/lego/compass/ )

    Original Message
    From: Jon Williams [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=3c1yvxVhE0QemZtmNYW4Qipc06SXbhIBQLUwH5UfeR6zXBBqhSWqGRpHTmyqOs2DIHt4V_iHTSAR_jliYA]jwilliams@p...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 3:36 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    I've used the CMPS03 on a BOE-Bot (using BASIC Stamps and the Javelin).
    What I did was mount it a few inches above everything using a plastic
    post. I never had any problems and the output from the CMPS01 always
    matched a reference compass.

    -- Jon Williams
    -- Applications Engineer, Parallax
    -- Dallas Office



    Original Message
    From: Bryan Smith [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=kEgWG2X7EvLfnmdrV1P3H-geG54JdiWd1rxhH4cA56x5X_1vxHBJkhtzDIcZAAeFRmdbHbhAou7hHMcL]bsmith@w...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 3:06 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    Importance: High


    For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    you using ?

    I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the robot
    pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line. Any
    thoughts are welcome.





    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 14:18
    I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my
    limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the compass
    idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass -
    but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think the
    compass would be easier.

    Thank you for your ideas


    Original Message
    From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=pJ8nGsuu8YowOLZjTZKG0Y-LwnM-1FRdwV7kDAaL-5CGzBWBov6FbVm75d8l8EL3PQ0udrJh-Nurtd15]uavscience@f...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    Bryan -
    Just how accurate does this need to be?
    I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a normal
    compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15 degrees, and
    occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best when they're far
    from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous obstructions
    (houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads, etc.) Add to
    this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity to a
    two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than 30-50
    degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with running
    compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    (i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one
    of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an inexpensive
    GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m accuracy for
    <$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and u-blox
    [noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent 3m
    accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution or
    update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will be
    consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think you'll
    run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than the
    radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your yard?
    One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive
    the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your yard.
    Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard (distance
    from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading estimate
    (although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this option). You can
    then have a table of magnetic corrections for each region or point in
    the yard. The issue you may face here is going beyond the processing and
    speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to at
    least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent accuracy).
    Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system (bumpers,
    buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn. Any
    more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)

    - Robert
    Original Message
    From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    > you using ?
    >
    > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    > use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    > actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    > near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the
    > robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line.
    > Any thoughts are welcome.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >



    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 14:28
    At 08:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, Bryan Smith wrote:
    >I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    >full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my
    >limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    >explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the compass
    >idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass -
    >but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think the
    >compass would be easier.
    >
    >Thank you for your ideas

    Bryan -

    The robotic mowers which you see for sale generally use a buried wire system.
    The mower follows the buried wire and stays inside its bounds. That way you
    can set the area to be mowed. This is the same type of principle used by
    the devices which keep a dog within an un-fenced area.

    Bruce Bates




    >
    Original Message
    >From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=0oodFOSFNS9odvMX1AZ_g3dgsMzKBn2K1ftwTN3hq9y_uhLQeDZHIpWVSSzNxe7EV4Xn_WPSzguhiLpGXg]uavscience@f...[/url
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >Bryan -
    >Just how accurate does this need to be?
    >I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    >degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    >grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a normal
    >compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15 degrees, and
    >occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best when they're far
    >from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous obstructions
    >(houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads, etc.) Add to
    >this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity to a
    >two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than 30-50
    >degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with running
    >compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    >(i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one
    >of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    >aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an inexpensive
    >GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m accuracy for
    ><$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and u-blox
    >[noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent 3m
    >accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution or
    >update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will be
    >consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think you'll
    >run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than the
    >radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your yard?
    >One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    >from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    >escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive
    >the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your yard.
    >Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard (distance
    >from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading estimate
    >(although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this option). You can
    >then have a table of magnetic corrections for each region or point in
    >the yard. The issue you may face here is going beyond the processing and
    >speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to at
    >least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent accuracy).
    >Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system (bumpers,
    >buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    >boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn. Any
    >more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)
    >
    >- Robert
    >
    Original Message
    >From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    >To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    >Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    > > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    > > you using ?
    > >
    > > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    > > use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    > > actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    > > near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the
    > > robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line.
    > > Any thoughts are welcome.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > > and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
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    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 14:42
    Thanks for your input. I've already got the mower-bot to work with the
    boundry fence. I'm wanting the robot to mow in a straight line - the
    ones I've seen mow in random directions. Hence, I was hoping that I
    could use a compass for maintaining a straight course.

    Original Message
    From: Bruce Bates [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=l9rUGuGJSrWoSgVTON_6sGwaZPkzXG0g2OJBgj5-MLxhHAqd-aaaT1grLt2-42G3CQIQMoDy3HLg_KkchlKb]bvbates@u...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:28 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    At 08:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, Bryan Smith wrote:
    >I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    >full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my
    >limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    >explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the compass

    >idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass -

    >but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think
    >the compass would be easier.
    >
    >Thank you for your ideas

    Bryan -

    The robotic mowers which you see for sale generally use a buried wire
    system. The mower follows the buried wire and stays inside its bounds.
    That way you
    can set the area to be mowed. This is the same type of principle used by

    the devices which keep a dog within an un-fenced area.

    Bruce Bates




    >
    Original Message
    >From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=bMNeoJUu2vvyv29qQNuGc8jxFkkxJ2JdYXNogCWpMlBrcculYrxdBDrdOb0ohkmo-icWF0M-9L1f6co]uavscience@f...[/url
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >Bryan -
    >Just how accurate does this need to be?
    >I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    >degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    >grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a
    >normal compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15
    >degrees, and occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best
    >when they're far from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous
    >obstructions (houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads,
    >etc.) Add to this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity
    >to a two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than
    >30-50 degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with running

    >compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    >(i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one
    >of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    >aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an
    >inexpensive GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m
    >accuracy for <$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and
    >u-blox
    >[noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent 3m
    >accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution
    or
    >update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will
    be
    >consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think you'll
    >run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than the
    >radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your
    yard?
    >One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    >from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    >escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive
    >the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your
    yard.
    >Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard (distance
    >from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading estimate
    >(although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this option). You can
    >then have a table of magnetic corrections for each region or point in
    >the yard. The issue you may face here is going beyond the processing
    and
    >speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to at
    >least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent accuracy).
    >Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system (bumpers,
    >buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    >boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn. Any
    >more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)
    >
    >- Robert
    >
    Original Message
    >From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    >To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    >Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    > > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass
    > > are you using ?
    > >
    > > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is
    > > to use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I
    > > don't actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to
    > > mounting it near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I

    > > keep the robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a
    > > straight line. Any thoughts are welcome.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    > > Subject and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 16:01
    I have thought about this quite often myself. I do not see how a GPS is
    going to work. Even the best ones have a 3-9 meter inaccuarcy. If they were
    always off the exact 3 meter in a straight line, that would be fine, but
    what if they are off 3 meter one place, and 3 meter the opposite way in the
    next place, 10 feet further down the lawn.
    This seems to me to be a very basic, yet extremly hard thing to do.
    Triangulation would work, but then a person needs transmitters and a
    receiver unit, and all the rest of the mishmash.
    I would be very interested in hearing some other viable solutions for this.
    I suppose anything can be done for money, so $500 solutions are not what we
    all are looking for.
    Some things I have heard of are, magnetic navigation the way birds and
    sharks do it & Sun polarization effects.
    How does a book worm bore a perfectly straight hole through 50 books on a
    shelf? How do ants dig seperate tunnels from 2 differant directions and meet
    in the middle? The ants are not using spore trails in this instance because
    they have not dug the tunnels yet.
    How does a wood wasp find a tiny hole in the wood wall every time it flys
    back, no matter the wind direction?
    -Kerry




    At 08:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
    >I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    >full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my
    >limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    >explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the compass
    >idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass -
    >but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think the
    >compass would be easier.
    >
    >Thank you for your ideas
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=yKG5eXnoGWiXKbJfcQ8Dxq8Bkdxm0DFnaklyuG5_nlMLoVwIr5ShS1GO-RUZWf0dRJYGmsUZV-uoniEbzBc]uavscience@f...[/url
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >Bryan -
    >Just how accurate does this need to be?
    >I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    >degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    >grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a normal
    >compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15 degrees, and
    >occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best when they're far
    >from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous obstructions
    >(houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads, etc.) Add to
    >this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity to a
    >two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than 30-50
    >degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with running
    >compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    >(i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one
    >of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    >aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an inexpensive
    >GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m accuracy for
    ><$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and u-blox
    >[noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent 3m
    >accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution or
    >update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will be
    >consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think you'll
    >run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than the
    >radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your yard?
    >One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    >from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    >escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive
    >the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your yard.
    >Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard (distance
    >from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading estimate
    >(although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this option). You can
    >then have a table of magnetic corrections for each region or point in
    >the yard. The issue you may face here is going beyond the processing and
    >speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to at
    >least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent accuracy).
    >Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system (bumpers,
    >buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    >boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn. Any
    >more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)
    >
    >- Robert
    >
    Original Message
    >From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    >To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    >Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    >Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >> For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    >> you using ?
    >>
    >> I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    >> use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    >> actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    >> near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the
    >> robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line.
    >> Any thoughts are welcome.
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >>
    >>
    >> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >> and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >>
    >>
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
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    >
    >
    >
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
    Brig. Gen. Johnston Pettigrew

    Admin@M...
    WWW server hosting [url=Http://mntnweb.com]Http://mntnweb.com[/url]
    Kerry Barlow
    p.o. box 21
    kirkwood ny
    13795
    607-775-1575
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 16:01
    bryan: I would like to know how you made the mower work with the boundry
    fence. I have a dogs radio fence. The collar receiver is all potted
    components, so I cannot get at the internals of the collar to install a
    sensor wire to a stamp input. Making my own receiver unit was beyond my
    capabilites. I read up on that some, and designing a circuit to match the
    transmitter frequency, seemed like a real mess.
    -kerry



    At 08:42 AM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
    >Thanks for your input. I've already got the mower-bot to work with the
    >boundry fence. I'm wanting the robot to mow in a straight line - the
    >ones I've seen mow in random directions. Hence, I was hoping that I
    >could use a compass for maintaining a straight course.
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: Bruce Bates [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=N-NSG9ebxxJQkmID2ZP_OoPrfcz5u_TrxIKCYsKo4Jg-pTWc4nvw0tJ_7vZn8PuH8QU6nmisgVGv-nSA]bvbates@u...[/url
    >Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:28 AM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >At 08:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, Bryan Smith wrote:
    >>I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    >>full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my
    >>limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    >>explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the compass
    >
    >>idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass -
    >
    >>but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think
    >>the compass would be easier.
    >>
    >>Thank you for your ideas
    >
    >Bryan -
    >
    >The robotic mowers which you see for sale generally use a buried wire
    >system. The mower follows the buried wire and stays inside its bounds.
    >That way you
    >can set the area to be mowed. This is the same type of principle used by
    >
    >the devices which keep a dog within an un-fenced area.
    >
    >Bruce Bates
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >>
    Original Message
    >>From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=5ivemwMcwYbU6zL3dpOzw2Tl8_erddLRJd-3cQ4tBE44H23iRUSoSxc2CXlz7heSrtKwr0MqBKLBah0]uavscience@f...[/url
    >>Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    >>To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >>Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >>
    >>
    >>Bryan -
    >>Just how accurate does this need to be?
    >>I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    >>degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    >>grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a
    >>normal compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15
    >>degrees, and occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best
    >>when they're far from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous
    >>obstructions (houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads,
    >>etc.) Add to this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity
    >>to a two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than
    >>30-50 degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with running
    >
    >>compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    >>(i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one
    >>of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    >>aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an
    >>inexpensive GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m
    >>accuracy for <$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and
    >>u-blox
    >>[noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent 3m
    >>accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution
    >or
    >>update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will
    >be
    >>consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think you'll
    >>run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than the
    >>radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your
    >yard?
    >>One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    >>from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    >>escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive
    >>the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your
    >yard.
    >>Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard (distance
    >>from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading estimate
    >>(although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this option). You can
    >>then have a table of magnetic corrections for each region or point in
    >>the yard. The issue you may face here is going beyond the processing
    >and
    >>speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to at
    >>least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent accuracy).
    >>Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system (bumpers,
    >>buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats your
    >>boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn. Any
    >>more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)
    >>
    >>- Robert
    >>
    Original Message
    >>From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    >>To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    >>Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    >>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >>
    >>
    >> > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass
    >> > are you using ?
    >> >
    >> > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is
    >> > to use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I
    >> > don't actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to
    >> > mounting it near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I
    >
    >> > keep the robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a
    >> > straight line. Any thoughts are welcome.
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    >> > Subject and
    >>Body of the message will be ignored.
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >> >
    >> >
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >>and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >>and
    >>Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and Body of the message will be ignored.
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    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
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    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    >
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
    Brig. Gen. Johnston Pettigrew

    Admin@M...
    WWW server hosting [url=Http://mntnweb.com]Http://mntnweb.com[/url]
    Kerry Barlow
    p.o. box 21
    kirkwood ny
    13795
    607-775-1575
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 16:40
    We have been following RoboCut. He gives schematics of the work he has
    done. When we worked on our buried fence circuit, we were not
    amplifying the signal enough. In the end, we used four transistors to
    get enough gain.

    RoboCut can be found at: (
    http://www.lls.se/~mux/micro/robocut_us.html )

    I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    don't know how to upload a file to the group.


    Original Message
    From: Kerry Barlow [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=VihlJBBeAvMiMzztmWTWMP3wz8JQ6nh3-5x6sdZkbK9Ekw6hoajdmp2VB0IUBD2zbkDBqkoF5WnVffab]admin@m...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:01 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    bryan: I would like to know how you made the mower work with the boundry
    fence. I have a dogs radio fence. The collar receiver is all potted
    components, so I cannot get at the internals of the collar to install a
    sensor wire to a stamp input. Making my own receiver unit was beyond my
    capabilites. I read up on that some, and designing a circuit to match
    the transmitter frequency, seemed like a real mess. -kerry



    At 08:42 AM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
    >Thanks for your input. I've already got the mower-bot to work with the

    >boundry fence. I'm wanting the robot to mow in a straight line - the
    >ones I've seen mow in random directions. Hence, I was hoping that I
    >could use a compass for maintaining a straight course.
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: Bruce Bates [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=JhLIiXEpZ-XB0rb6m44_bbOz4sHD0_ofAxxTjFAr59t6-4tAN1qoWFdFZQd8o9r8rodiz1OSmeBZ_1PT]bvbates@u...[/url
    >Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:28 AM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >At 08:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, Bryan Smith wrote:
    >>I'm hoping that it will be fairly accurate. It is a small yard - and
    >>full of bumps and dips. GPS is too expensive for me ( $40 - $50 is my

    >>limit ). I've also thought about using a piezo gyro, but I haven't
    >>explored it much though. I've also thought about scrapping the
    compass
    >
    >>idea and do some kind of sensor that senses the edge of unmowed grass
    >>-
    >
    >>but I also have patches of dirt, clover, and dead grass. So I think
    >>the compass would be easier.
    >>
    >>Thank you for your ideas
    >
    >Bryan -
    >
    >The robotic mowers which you see for sale generally use a buried wire
    >system. The mower follows the buried wire and stays inside its bounds.
    >That way you can set the area to be mowed. This is the same type of
    >principle used by
    >
    >the devices which keep a dog within an un-fenced area.
    >
    >Bruce Bates
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >>
    Original Message
    >>From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=eexBcxLhCtTNdJz3f8-34m_aqZaIrFim4XDkHCKZrD3-jAkIImeH8vmtX1VkqhYfyOd10DnIgcO4Wi0]uavscience@f...[/url
    >>Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 4:03 PM
    >>To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >>Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >>
    >>
    >>Bryan -
    >>Just how accurate does this need to be?
    >>I'd stay away from using a compass if you need anything better than 30
    >>degree precision. Try going over your yard at 1ft. or so above the
    >>grass, and see what kind of precision and accuracy you get with a
    >>normal compass. I'd say you'd frequently get variations of 10-15
    >>degrees, and occasionally even greater variance. Compasses work best
    >>when they're far from the ground, away from man-made or other ferrous
    >>obstructions (houses, gas lines, cars, metal edging, sprinkler heads,
    >>etc.) Add to this the electromagnetic chaos you get in close proximity

    >>to a two-stroke motor, and I'd say you won't get anything better than
    >>30-50 degree precision, and terrible accuracy. The problem with
    running
    >
    >>compasses near motors and electronics is not one of heading offset
    >>(i.e., it won't always be off by 10, 15, or x degrees), but rather one

    >>of erratic, unreliable operation. IIRC, the compasses you mentioned
    >>aren't cheap (>$40?), so you may be better off going with an
    >>inexpensive GPS unit. Many OEM units are available nowadays with 15m
    >>accuracy for <$120. I think several (try Trimble [noparse][[/noparse]www.trimble.com] and

    >>u-blox
    >>[noparse][[/noparse]www.ublox.com]) even are WAAS enabled, giving you fairly consistent
    3m
    >>accuracy. While you won't necessarily get the same heading resolution
    >or
    >>update rate that you can get with a compass, the data you do get will
    >be
    >>consistently more accurate and precise. The main problem I think
    >>you'll run into with GPS is while maneuvering in tight spots less than

    >>the radius of uncertainty (is that the correct term?). How big is your
    >yard?
    >>One alternate approach might be to mount the compass a couple of feet
    >>from the mower on a pole, much like a conventional mower handle to
    >>escape the EMF disturbances of the motor, and to simply manually drive

    >>the mower around the lawn to make an electromagnetic "map" of your
    >yard.
    >>Through odometry, you can determine where you are in the yard
    >>(distance from the starting point), and maybe even a rough heading
    >>estimate (although the slipperiness of grass may preclude this
    >>option). You can then have a table of magnetic corrections for each
    >>region or point in the yard. The issue you may face here is going
    >>beyond the processing
    >and
    >>speed capabilities of the Stamp. I would think this would get you to
    >>at least 5 degrees or so of precision (and maybe even decent
    >>accuracy). Combined with a backup collision/accident avoidance system
    >>(bumpers, buried wire, ultrasonic range detection, whatever floats
    >>your
    >>boat) this would probably be adequate to get a decent-looking lawn.
    Any
    >>more questions? I'm full of answers! (I never said correct ones :O) !)
    >>
    >>- Robert
    >>
    Original Message
    >>From: "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...>
    >>To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    >>Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
    >>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >>
    >>
    >> > For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass
    >> > are you using ?
    >> >
    >> > I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is
    >> > to use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I
    >> > don't actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to
    >> > mounting it near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if
    I
    >
    >> > keep the robot pointed in that direction it should still be in a
    >> > straight line. Any thoughts are welcome.
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    >> > Subject and
    >>Body of the message will be ignored.
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >> >
    >> >
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >>and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >>and
    >>Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and Body of the message will be ignored.
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    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
    Brig. Gen. Johnston Pettigrew

    Admin@M...
    WWW server hosting [url=Http://mntnweb.com]Http://mntnweb.com[/url]
    Kerry Barlow
    p.o. box 21
    kirkwood ny
    13795
    607-775-1575




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    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 16:49
    Maybe this approach....

    I don
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 17:18
    Thank you for your idea. Our proto-type is a wooden box with two big
    wheels on the from that pulls the body. On the back of the box, we have
    two castors. A lot of times, our castors will be pointing in a
    different direction when the robot starts the wheels turning. This
    tends to create a drag, and forces the robot to drift towards whichever
    caster is creating the drag. I don't know if the "Fifth Wheel" would do
    the same or not. Its something to think about though.

    Original Message
    From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=cWcZBN5W3G9hmw8gbyDdnXPqh0OXawBlzfWVoOq_QFSMOrWnrJQ5hXvDumIkMtnry8vm-oASwE8rhA]smartdim@a...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:49 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    Maybe this approach....

    I don't know how you will be able to know when to turn, but to keep a
    reasonable straight line the following could be implemented.

    Have a "fifth wheel" off the back of the mover (or side) with two (or
    more)
    roller swtiches located at the attached pivot point of the fifth wheel
    on the
    mover. With the mover traveling straight none of the switches are
    activated.
    When the mover starts to drift left or right, one of the switches will
    trip the
    arm of the fifth wheel that is no longer at the original position as
    when the
    mover was straight.

    Pssible a POT at the pivot point can do the same function, of course you
    will
    have to calibrate limits, measure acceptable hysterisis etc.

    However, I don't know how you can know when you are at the end of one
    pass
    and know to turn ......Maybe that is where the buried wire can override
    the
    straight sensing system to employ a turn??????

    Ken

    _____________________________________________
    For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    you using ?

    I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the robot
    pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line. Any
    thoughts are welcome.


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 17:23
    Thanks

    Original Message
    From: Kerry Barlow [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=_3CFO4CSrZcqIhhXTsEQRyXP_XmOIMlv7DufWhu8onhlDiU24sh2YxWrPRpTVAersczN59Vhxto7Xg]admin@m...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 11:25 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    I think a tripod affair works better in these situations. 2 drive wheels
    and a caster wheel following. I had all kinds of troubles with small
    robots, until I used a single ball caster on the back. I like this idea
    of a follower wheel. You could always disregard the input from the
    follower wheel when you make your turn, and then reinitiate the follower
    sequence in the next pass. -kerry


    At 11:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
    >Thank you for your idea. Our proto-type is a wooden box with two big
    >wheels on the from that pulls the body. On the back of the box, we
    >have two castors. A lot of times, our castors will be pointing in a
    >different direction when the robot starts the wheels turning. This
    >tends to create a drag, and forces the robot to drift towards whichever

    >caster is creating the drag. I don't know if the "Fifth Wheel" would
    >do the same or not. Its something to think about though.
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=DU63nvUblscAw8eWp2M5BJ6IjrJ_Y1JMNIc0burtghiMjwvzTRb2WS0LOzBOEM1h0020rE6M]smartdim@a...[/url
    >Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:49 AM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >Maybe this approach....
    >
    >I don't know how you will be able to know when to turn, but to keep a
    >reasonable straight line the following could be implemented.
    >
    >Have a "fifth wheel" off the back of the mover (or side) with two (or
    >more)
    >roller swtiches located at the attached pivot point of the fifth wheel
    >on the
    >mover. With the mover traveling straight none of the switches are
    >activated.
    >When the mover starts to drift left or right, one of the switches will
    >trip the
    >arm of the fifth wheel that is no longer at the original position as
    >when the
    >mover was straight.
    >
    >Pssible a POT at the pivot point can do the same function, of course
    >you will have to calibrate limits, measure acceptable hysterisis etc.
    >
    >However, I don't know how you can know when you are at the end of one
    >pass and know to turn ......Maybe that is where the buried wire can
    >override the
    >straight sensing system to employ a turn??????
    >
    >Ken
    >
    >_____________________________________________
    >For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    >you using ?
    >
    >I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    >use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    >actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    >near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the robot

    >pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line. Any
    >thoughts are welcome.
    >
    >
    >[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
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    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
    Brig. Gen. Johnston Pettigrew

    Admin@M...
    WWW server hosting [url=Http://mntnweb.com]Http://mntnweb.com[/url]
    Kerry Barlow
    p.o. box 21
    kirkwood ny
    13795
    607-775-1575




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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 17:24
    I think a tripod affair works better in these situations. 2 drive wheels and
    a caster wheel following. I had all kinds of troubles with small robots,
    until I used a single ball caster on the back.
    I like this idea of a follower wheel. You could always disregard the input
    from the follower wheel when you make your turn, and then reinitiate the
    follower sequence in the next pass.
    -kerry


    At 11:18 AM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
    >Thank you for your idea. Our proto-type is a wooden box with two big
    >wheels on the from that pulls the body. On the back of the box, we have
    >two castors. A lot of times, our castors will be pointing in a
    >different direction when the robot starts the wheels turning. This
    >tends to create a drag, and forces the robot to drift towards whichever
    >caster is creating the drag. I don't know if the "Fifth Wheel" would do
    >the same or not. Its something to think about though.
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=6-H1-7BF1Bia1oikmoaaCDOcZ1nlSlvTm_oMYn_Lc3VZm_1GtrycQeARNwUPiaRyhZMgkZ81xA]smartdim@a...[/url
    >Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:49 AM
    >To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    >Maybe this approach....
    >
    >I don't know how you will be able to know when to turn, but to keep a
    >reasonable straight line the following could be implemented.
    >
    >Have a "fifth wheel" off the back of the mover (or side) with two (or
    >more)
    >roller swtiches located at the attached pivot point of the fifth wheel
    >on the
    >mover. With the mover traveling straight none of the switches are
    >activated.
    >When the mover starts to drift left or right, one of the switches will
    >trip the
    >arm of the fifth wheel that is no longer at the original position as
    >when the
    >mover was straight.
    >
    >Pssible a POT at the pivot point can do the same function, of course you
    >will
    >have to calibrate limits, measure acceptable hysterisis etc.
    >
    >However, I don't know how you can know when you are at the end of one
    >pass
    >and know to turn ......Maybe that is where the buried wire can override
    >the
    >straight sensing system to employ a turn??????
    >
    >Ken
    >
    >_____________________________________________
    >For those that are using a compass with their robot, what compass are
    >you using ?
    >
    >I've looked at the Devantech CMPS03 and the Vector 2x. My goal is to
    >use the compass to guide the mower robot in a straight path. I don't
    >actually care if the direction is accurate in regards to mounting it
    >near motors - I figure the compass will be off, but if I keep the robot
    >pointed in that direction it should still be in a straight line. Any
    >thoughts are welcome.
    >
    >
    >[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
    Brig. Gen. Johnston Pettigrew

    Admin@M...
    WWW server hosting [url=Http://mntnweb.com]Http://mntnweb.com[/url]
    Kerry Barlow
    p.o. box 21
    kirkwood ny
    13795
    607-775-1575
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 18:08
    So far in this thread I have not seen anyone's post that states that they
    have even tried the experiment of taking a electronic compass out to a lawn
    and actually trying the experiment to see if it will do the trick. Do not
    NECESSARILY rely on antidotal information. The compass just MAY be the
    solution you are looking for. If you can afford it just do the experiment.
    Mount it on a conventional power mower and see. Gather your own data and
    then you can say yes or no.

    My 2 cents!

    Vic
    ________________________________________________________

    Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
    vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
    KC2GUI

    Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
    Read the WIND

    "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long
    and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
    - Winston [noparse][[/noparse]Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

    Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
    -Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus Adolphus
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 18:33
    The RL500 mower (www.friendlyrobotics.com) uses an electronic compass.
    Setup instructions include a compass calibration for magnetic North at
    your site by turning the mower 360 degrees several times. There is very
    little ferrous metal in this mower, so Vic's point is well taken.

    Dennis

    Original Message
    From: Vic Fraenckel [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Po-Ypll40QWjK__iptrLJak9LKe0EpDkljJ2VQVyPxIRvai-gwGdAO8lNNy-I1KbwvkYKDVPVV7LFHP3GWnm]vfraenc1@n...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:09 AM
    To: BasicStamps
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RE: Compass Choice


    So far in this thread I have not seen anyone's post that states that
    they have even tried the experiment of taking a electronic compass out
    to a lawn and actually trying the experiment to see if it will do the
    trick. Do not NECESSARILY rely on antidotal information. The compass
    just MAY be the solution you are looking for. If you can afford it just
    do the experiment. Mount it on a conventional power mower and see.
    Gather your own data and then you can say yes or no.

    My 2 cents!

    Vic
    ________________________________________________________

    Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
    vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
    KC2GUI

    Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
    Read the WIND

    "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however
    long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no
    survival."
    - Winston [noparse][[/noparse]Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

    Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is
    governed? -Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus
    Adolphus
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 18:37
    Hello Bryan.

    > I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    > pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    > don't know how to upload a file to the group.

    Attachments are not allowed to prevent virus propagation.

    To share files with the members of the forum you need to upload them at:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/basicstamps/files/
    (you need to Sign in using your Yahoo ID and password)

    Saludos,
    Aristides Alvarez
    International Education Program Developer
    aalvarez@p...
    Parallax, Inc. www.parallax.com
    Rocklin, California
    USA
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 19:17
    Thanks

    Original Message
    From: Vic Fraenckel [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=GfvFSgXm8iMxEJnqxpcSZqsODdZZ8QrZISru4U6G5wuow_am1DQSP7BNaWKZkK2wy-sFE9vtbMypqpT-t5s]vfraenc1@n...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 12:09 PM
    To: BasicStamps
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RE: Compass Choice


    So far in this thread I have not seen anyone's post that states that
    they have even tried the experiment of taking a electronic compass out
    to a lawn and actually trying the experiment to see if it will do the
    trick. Do not NECESSARILY rely on antidotal information. The compass
    just MAY be the solution you are looking for. If you can afford it just
    do the experiment. Mount it on a conventional power mower and see.
    Gather your own data and then you can say yes or no.

    My 2 cents!

    Vic
    ________________________________________________________

    Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
    vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
    KC2GUI

    Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
    Read the WIND

    "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however
    long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no
    survival."
    - Winston [noparse][[/noparse]Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

    Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is
    governed? -Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus
    Adolphus



    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 19:19
    Thank you

    Original Message
    From: Aristides Alvarez [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=cz3aWvGwOS8V6ZRAIM3TCOdGV4LPu8PC8hZohq0MDjSwdMFqKCBBFhU6cr2ecvhB1_nVdsZG7yeh2p2thIA]aalvarez@p...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 12:38 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    Hello Bryan.

    > I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    > pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    > don't know how to upload a file to the group.

    Attachments are not allowed to prevent virus propagation.

    To share files with the members of the forum you need to upload them at:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/basicstamps/files/
    (you need to Sign in using your Yahoo ID and password)

    Saludos,
    Aristides Alvarez
    International Education Program Developer
    aalvarez@p...
    Parallax, Inc. www.parallax.com
    Rocklin, California
    USA



    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 21:28
    Despite the pessimistic opinions expressed in my previous post, I actually
    do agree with you. I was actually approaching the problem from the point of
    view of a commercial product. I don't think a compass can be relied upon to
    work in any given yard, although it may work very well indeed in your
    particular location. A lot of it is also dependent on your particular
    design. I think that as long as you isolate the compass sufficiently from
    the metal of the mower and the engine, it will be accurate enough to give
    you a decent lawn-mowing, while it may not be suitable for a commercial
    product. Bottom line, don't take me too seriously... I don't know
    everything, and I don't pretend to. I was just expressing my initial
    impression.

    - Robert


    Original Message
    From: "Vic Fraenckel" <vfraenc1@n...>
    To: "BasicStamps" <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 11:08 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RE: Compass Choice


    > So far in this thread I have not seen anyone's post that states that they
    > have even tried the experiment of taking a electronic compass out to a
    lawn
    > and actually trying the experiment to see if it will do the trick. Do not
    > NECESSARILY rely on antidotal information. The compass just MAY be the
    > solution you are looking for. If you can afford it just do the experiment.
    > Mount it on a conventional power mower and see. Gather your own data and
    > then you can say yes or no.
    >
    > My 2 cents!
    >
    > Vic
    > ________________________________________________________
    >
    > Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
    > vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
    > KC2GUI
    >
    > Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
    > Read the WIND
    >
    > "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however
    long
    > and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
    > - Winston [noparse][[/noparse]Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)
    >
    > Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
    > -Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus Adolphus
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-24 21:47
    I was happy with your first post. I'm on a limited budget, so I am
    dragging my feet as to what I should buy. I'm trying to decide between
    the Devantech CMPS03, Vector 2x, or maybe the Dinsmore 1525. I've been
    leaning towards the Devantech CMPS03.

    Original Message
    From: Robert Ussery [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=0EKRnq3VP5VjWmbOyabHPJNdZHNzvsBDtqkYjE-T66Qhb5MWy13OWXx-2v0w4qHKZVsGikdKA7L_SEJs]uavscience@f...[/url
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 3:29 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RE: Compass Choice


    Despite the pessimistic opinions expressed in my previous post, I
    actually do agree with you. I was actually approaching the problem from
    the point of view of a commercial product. I don't think a compass can
    be relied upon to work in any given yard, although it may work very well
    indeed in your particular location. A lot of it is also dependent on
    your particular design. I think that as long as you isolate the compass
    sufficiently from the metal of the mower and the engine, it will be
    accurate enough to give you a decent lawn-mowing, while it may not be
    suitable for a commercial product. Bottom line, don't take me too
    seriously... I don't know everything, and I don't pretend to. I was just
    expressing my initial impression.

    - Robert


    Original Message
    From: "Vic Fraenckel" <vfraenc1@n...>
    To: "BasicStamps" <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 11:08 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RE: Compass Choice


    > So far in this thread I have not seen anyone's post that states that
    > they have even tried the experiment of taking a electronic compass out

    > to a
    lawn
    > and actually trying the experiment to see if it will do the trick. Do
    > not NECESSARILY rely on antidotal information. The compass just MAY be

    > the solution you are looking for. If you can afford it just do the
    > experiment. Mount it on a conventional power mower and see. Gather
    > your own data and then you can say yes or no.
    >
    > My 2 cents!
    >
    > Vic
    > ________________________________________________________
    >
    > Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
    > vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
    > KC2GUI
    >
    > Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
    > Read the WIND
    >
    > "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however
    long
    > and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
    > - Winston [noparse][[/noparse]Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)
    >
    > Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is
    > governed? -Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus
    > Adolphus
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >


    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-27 03:44
    In a message dated 10/24/2003 9:45:31 AM Mountain Standard Time,
    bsmith@w... writes:
    We have been following RoboCut. He gives schematics of the work he has
    done. When we worked on our buried fence circuit, we were not
    amplifying the signal enough. In the end, we used four transistors to
    get enough gain.

    RoboCut can be found at: (
    http://www.lls.se/~mux/micro/robocut_us.html )

    I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    don't know how to upload a file to the group.
    Brian,

    What did you decide to do on the compass choice? Did you have a chance to
    upload the file to the user group?

    This was an interesting thread.

    Tim


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-27 15:10
    Everyone was very helpful. I uploaded the Word document - Its called
    something like "We have been folowing Robocut". When we first started
    out, we were uning a 741. It would only pick up within a few inches.
    The new circuit goes around 4 feet. This circuit has four transistors (
    2N4401 ) The coil is not shown on the circuit. There is a voltage
    source ( looks like a squigly with a circle around it on the left hand
    side ). On the real circuit, we us a ( TV 1363 - B ). We had to play
    around with the capacitors. The capacitors off the emmiter side are
    Electrolitic @ 1uF. The other capacitors are Ceramic. The capacitor
    values were done by guessing. We originally had the electrolitic and
    ceramic capacitors switched. We used an oscilloscope to play around
    with the different values for the capacitors.

    I will send the results to the group as to how things worked out. I'm
    probably going to buy the Devantech CMPS03 - but not until Christmas
    day.


    Original Message
    From: Trkeenan@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=3WpwJfIZZECVz_rICG88oGOwaKSa4qq5IgnROdszxYHnzoStgnxXUUFjalMTawIeJCF9psVo]Trkeenan@a...[/url
    Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 9:45 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice


    In a message dated 10/24/2003 9:45:31 AM Mountain Standard Time,
    bsmith@w... writes:
    We have been following RoboCut. He gives schematics of the work he has
    done. When we worked on our buried fence circuit, we were not
    amplifying the signal enough. In the end, we used four transistors to
    get enough gain.

    RoboCut can be found at: ( http://www.lls.se/~mux/micro/robocut_us.html
    )

    I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    don't know how to upload a file to the group. Brian,

    What did you decide to do on the compass choice? Did you have a chance
    to
    upload the file to the user group?

    This was an interesting thread.

    Tim


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and Body of the message will be ignored.


    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-27 22:17
    Hi Bryan,

    Thanks for your circuit.

    The TV 1363 - B coil, what type is it? Who is the manufacturer?

    What is the frequency that is broadcast by the fence?

    Harry
    Stamp Robotics to the next level
    www.bluebelldesign.com


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...> wrote:
    > Everyone was very helpful. I uploaded the Word document - Its
    called
    > something like "We have been folowing Robocut". When we first
    started
    > out, we were uning a 741. It would only pick up within a few
    inches.
    > The new circuit goes around 4 feet. This circuit has four
    transistors (
    > 2N4401 ) The coil is not shown on the circuit. There is a voltage
    > source ( looks like a squigly with a circle around it on the left
    hand
    > side ). On the real circuit, we us a ( TV 1363 - B ). We had to
    play
    > around with the capacitors. The capacitors off the emmiter side are
    > Electrolitic @ 1uF. The other capacitors are Ceramic. The
    capacitor
    > values were done by guessing. We originally had the electrolitic
    and
    > ceramic capacitors switched. We used an oscilloscope to play around
    > with the different values for the capacitors.
    >
    > I will send the results to the group as to how things worked out.
    I'm
    > probably going to buy the Devantech CMPS03 - but not until Christmas
    > day.
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: Trkeenan@a... [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:Trkeenan@a...]
    > Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 9:45 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    > In a message dated 10/24/2003 9:45:31 AM Mountain Standard Time,
    > bsmith@w... writes:
    > We have been following RoboCut. He gives schematics of the work he
    has
    > done. When we worked on our buried fence circuit, we were not
    > amplifying the signal enough. In the end, we used four transistors
    to
    > get enough gain.
    >
    > RoboCut can be found at: (
    http://www.lls.se/~mux/micro/robocut_us.html
    > )
    >
    > I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    > pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    > don't know how to upload a file to the group. Brian,
    >
    > What did you decide to do on the compass choice? Did you have a
    chance
    > to
    > upload the file to the user group?
    >
    > This was an interesting thread.
    >
    > Tim
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    Subject
    > and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-10-28 14:16
    I desoldered the coil from a old modem card. So I don't know much about
    it. Our frequency is 68000.
    I imagine the capacitor and coil values can be tweaked to match whatever
    frequency you want to use.
    The robocut web site has a formula about the capacitor and coil. I
    think his ROT is our Square Root.
    Sorry I can't be much more help. We are computer programmers and have
    picked up on things and tried
    Other things - we guess a lot, and most of the time we can't explain why
    it works a certain way.

    Original Message
    From: harrywlewis [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=eEqxnm-kxNLoSt4iBeFQouRGk8o5VmobOepGZBSCsHTZKmlNq0etjQ_UPbx9HgeYkR-FtQZbl9_4rLUWvzJEODQ]harry_w_lewis@h...[/url
    Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 4:18 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Compass Choice


    Hi Bryan,

    Thanks for your circuit.

    The TV 1363 - B coil, what type is it? Who is the manufacturer?

    What is the frequency that is broadcast by the fence?

    Harry
    Stamp Robotics to the next level
    www.bluebelldesign.com


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Bryan Smith" <bsmith@w...> wrote:
    > Everyone was very helpful. I uploaded the Word document - Its
    called
    > something like "We have been folowing Robocut". When we first
    started
    > out, we were uning a 741. It would only pick up within a few
    inches.
    > The new circuit goes around 4 feet. This circuit has four
    transistors (
    > 2N4401 ) The coil is not shown on the circuit. There is a voltage
    > source ( looks like a squigly with a circle around it on the left
    hand
    > side ). On the real circuit, we us a ( TV 1363 - B ). We had to
    play
    > around with the capacitors. The capacitors off the emmiter side are
    > Electrolitic @ 1uF. The other capacitors are Ceramic. The
    capacitor
    > values were done by guessing. We originally had the electrolitic
    and
    > ceramic capacitors switched. We used an oscilloscope to play around
    > with the different values for the capacitors.
    >
    > I will send the results to the group as to how things worked out.
    I'm
    > probably going to buy the Devantech CMPS03 - but not until Christmas
    > day.
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: Trkeenan@a... [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:Trkeenan@a...]
    > Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 9:45 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Compass Choice
    >
    >
    > In a message dated 10/24/2003 9:45:31 AM Mountain Standard Time,
    > bsmith@w... writes:
    > We have been following RoboCut. He gives schematics of the work he
    has
    > done. When we worked on our buried fence circuit, we were not
    > amplifying the signal enough. In the end, we used four transistors
    to
    > get enough gain.
    >
    > RoboCut can be found at: (
    http://www.lls.se/~mux/micro/robocut_us.html
    > )
    >
    > I've tried attaching a Word document that has a screen print of our
    > pickup circuit. I don't know if the attachment will be included. I
    > don't know how to upload a file to the group. Brian,
    >
    > What did you decide to do on the compass choice? Did you have a
    chance
    > to
    > upload the file to the user group?
    >
    > This was an interesting thread.
    >
    > Tim
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    Subject
    > and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
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