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Using IR Buddy Pair For Wireless Comunication Between Laptop and Robot? — Parallax Forums

Using IR Buddy Pair For Wireless Comunication Between Laptop and Robot?

kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
edited 2006-02-14 13:31 in BASIC Stamp
····I am looking for a way to comunicate wireless with my robot and the IR Buddy Pair caught my eye. Ok, if I connect a BS2 to my laptop computer VIA serial connection and put one of the IR's on that board. Then put the other IR on a board on my robot I should be able to have my laptop act as a controller for my robot and comunicate wireless.
··· Does any of that make any sense? It seems to me that would be a inexspensive way of having wireless comunications between a laptop or desktop.

· Ok what are the pros and cons of doing something like that? Please advise.

Comments

  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2006-02-14 01:44
    Yup, you can do that.

    Limitations:
    1. Com rate is kind of slow, as the IR-Buddy recieves 'keypresses'. However, I believe it's around 150 baud or so, so it's not trivial.

    2. Range is a little limited -- 50 feet or so. But if you're in the same room with the robot, it should work.

    3. Range is a little directional. But if you can 'bounce' the signal off the wall, or other white reflective object, again it should work.
  • kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
    edited 2006-02-14 01:50
    Good thought, I wonder just how cost effective it would be. Seems like a lot of draw backs. Thanks.
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2006-02-14 01:52
    Strengths:

    1. It's pretty reliable.
    2. It's about as inexpensive as it gets.
    3. You can control a TV or VCR or DVD -- as long as it uses the Phillips RC code.
    4. You can control your robot with an off-the-shelf remote from Radio Shack -- set for the Phillips RC-5 code.
  • Steve JoblinSteve Joblin Posts: 784
    edited 2006-02-14 13:31
    A neat alternative to IR is RF... Parallax recently released Parallax 433 MHz RF Transmitter and the Parallax 433 MHz RF Receiver.· These are great products that overcome many of the drawbacks to IR... It is only slightly more complicated to implement, but still relatively easy.· There are other 433 RF Transmitters and Receivers on the market that are a bit less expensive, but they don't come with the great support you get from Parallax.· You might want to check out this thead for some insights and inspiration... http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=551358

    Here are the links to the Parallax products...

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27980·and http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27981
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