Cutting the cord and going wireless, any suggestions? What do you use?

vanmunch · 2012-05-01 10:53

Hey everyone,

I'm working on a new project where the programming cable is getting in my way and I'd like to program my prop wirelessly. So I was wondering what you use or suggest? (so sad that the parallax wifi was canceled, but such is life) thanks!

Dave

Duane Degn · 2012-05-01 11:01

Phil's has a program to let one program a Prop via XBee.

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?127780-Upload-Prop-programs-via-XBee

I keep hoping to make a similar program for the Nordic modules I use. The Nordic version is still on a back burner though.

RobotWorkshop · 2012-05-01 11:05

I believe that people were using something like this:

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUWH104KIT/

Robert

Duane Degn · 2012-05-01 11:07

RobotWorkshop wrote: »

I believe that people were using something like this:

http://www.iogear.com/product/GUWH104KIT/

Robert

Robert,

Do you know if the Iogear device will work to program a Prop? I've read a lot of wireless USB devices wont work with the Prop's timing needs when being programmed.

Martin_H · 2012-05-01 11:22

I've done it with two Pololu Wixels and a 0.1 uf capacitor. Here's the thread:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?139534-Wireless-Programming-of-a-Propeller-chip-(video)

No special PC or Propeller bootloader required. Feel free to ask any questions about it.

Duane Degn · 2012-05-01 13:30

Martin, I can't believe I didn't remember your project! Not needing a special bootloader is a big plus.

Martin_H · 2012-05-01 16:19

Duane Degn wrote: »

Martin, I can't believe I didn't remember your project! Not needing a special bootloader is a big plus.

No worries. Phase two is getting the Wixels working with the BS2, but I need a few parts to shift 3.3 logic levels to RS232 level so a stamp can consume them. A Parallax order is on the horizon, but I keep getting sidetracked on other projects.

Mickster · 2012-05-02 04:45

If you can use RS232, these things work great. I use them to eliminate RS232 cables.

http://uconnect.com.tw/Bluetooth.html

Mickster

prof_braino · 2012-05-02 05:07

Duane Degn wrote: »

Do you know if the Iogear device will work to program a Prop?

We use the spinneret to connect wired to the wireless hub. Then we use an android terminal app to program the prop, the terminal is the mobile part. Its probably kind of backwards from what you want, but doesn't require special hardware beyond a spare wireless router.

vanmunch · 2012-05-02 20:48

Hey everyone,

Thanks for your suggestions! I'll have to take a look at them a little bit closer...

Thanks!

localroger · 2012-05-03 07:22

I've used that iogear link to program propellers and for general serial comms. It doesn't have much range but works fine out to 20 ft or so, better than most direct serial-RF solutions I've tried.

vanmunch · 2012-05-05 20:28

localroger wrote: »

I've used that iogear link to program propellers and for general serial comms. It doesn't have much range but works fine out to 20 ft or so, better than most direct serial-RF solutions I've tried.

Yaaa! I can't beleive that I forgot about that. I don't see them on Parallax anymore, does anyone know if I'm just looking in the wrong spots?

Bits · 2012-05-05 21:28

I use bluetooth, this ic at the moment. LMX9838SBX/NOPB

vanmunch · 2012-05-09 20:28

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to give you'll an update. I really appreciated everyone's input and advice. I'm amazed at how integrated/advanced/you obviously know what you're doing.

I ended up opting for the wireless USB router. I tried to find the same one that was originally used and that Parallax was selling, but Parallax has since sold out so I went to my next favorite place, Amazon. They didn't have the "104" version, but they did have the "204" version with the included adapter. That one had a very poor rating and is apparently not compatible with Windows 7, so I kept looking and found several others that were also not compatible with Windows 7....

Soooooooo I ended up with "IOGEAR Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station GUWIP204 ." This one does not have the adapter so I had to use my home router as the intermediate, but it did have the highest rating of any of the ones that I had seen. It arrived today, so I loaded the software, went through the setup and it worked right away with my propeller demo board! so we can add this one to the list of wireless USB routers that you can use to program a prop with.

Dave

It uses 12V @1.5amps
Model: GUWIP204
The link is here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058DN1Q4/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

vanmunch · 2012-05-13 13:57

Hey everyone, I was asked about the details of the set-up with this particular USB wireless router. I couldn't find out much about how it worked until I got the book in the router box. So the directions first have you connect the USB wireless router directly to your wireless router via the included ethernet cable. After turning the USB router on you then load the software via the included CD that walks you through the set-up steps. I was running Windows 7 and it should work with previous version. I also has Mac drivers so almost everyone is included in the party. After installing the software/drives from the CD it walks you through selecting your wireless router/encryption/name&password. Once you finish the set up you disconnect the Wireless USB router from your wireless router (unplug the ethernet cable you first pluged in). You can now put your wireless USB hub anywhere that's in range of your wireless router. To program your MC, just plug it into one of the 5 USB ports on the wireless USB router, and it's like it's directly connected to your computer.

So the USB wireless router is connected to your wireless router that is then connected to your computer. The wireless router acts like the cord.

Cutting the cord and going wireless, any suggestions? What do you use?

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