From: Ben F. <be...@fi...> - 2006-06-20 12:21:38
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I am looking to buy a gumstix solution for a UAV. My requirements: - two TTL level serial ports - at least 4 servo outputs - at least 6 analogue inputs - expandable flash memory A basix + robostix seems to cover all of this, but I then see no way of communicating with the gumstix from the computer if I'm using up all the serial ports and there is no USB port on the robostix. Any suggestions? Ben -- Ben Firshman be...@fi... http://www.phatmonkey.org.uk/ |
From: Dave H. <dhy...@gm...> - 2006-06-20 14:03:05
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Hi Ben, On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: > I am looking to buy a gumstix solution for a UAV. My requirements: > > - two TTL level serial ports > - at least 4 servo outputs > - at least 6 analogue inputs > - expandable flash memory > > A basix + robostix seems to cover all of this, but I then see no way of > communicating with the gumstix from the computer if I'm using up all the > serial ports and there is no USB port on the robostix. Well, you could get a connex and netMMC (that's the combination I like). Then you can network between the two. I'm planning on using this in conjunction with a Lantronix WiPortg, which gives a WiPort to wired ethernet connection, along with a couple of ethernet to RS-232 ports. You could get one with built-in bluetooth and use bluetooth to talk to your PC. You could also use one of the robostix serial ports and talk to it using i2c commands. This would free up the console. The newer gumstix has all 4 serial ports in the hirose connector. You could hack a tweener to get at the other two 3.3v TTL serial ports (the vias on the tweener are pretty easy to solder to). -- Dave Hylands Vancouver, BC, Canada http://www.DaveHylands.com/ |
From: Ben F. <be...@fi...> - 2006-06-20 17:08:22
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Dave Hylands wrote: > Hi Ben, > > On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: >> I am looking to buy a gumstix solution for a UAV. My requirements: >> >> - two TTL level serial ports >> - at least 4 servo outputs >> - at least 6 analogue inputs >> - expandable flash memory >> >> A basix + robostix seems to cover all of this, but I then see no way of >> communicating with the gumstix from the computer if I'm using up all the >> serial ports and there is no USB port on the robostix. > > Well, you could get a connex and netMMC (that's the combination I > like). Then you can network between the two. I'm planning on using > this in conjunction with a Lantronix WiPortg, which gives a WiPort to > wired ethernet connection, along with a couple of ethernet to RS-232 > ports. This will probably use too much power, and it'll be quite expensive. > > You could get one with built-in bluetooth and use bluetooth to talk to your PC. Ditto > > You could also use one of the robostix serial ports and talk to it > using i2c commands. This would free up the console. Are you saying there would be some way to "bridge" the robostix serial port over I2C? I do not know much about I2C and small embedded devices like the robostix, but that sounds nice. The two serial devices are a GPS and phone, so it will need to appear to the gumstix as a normal serial port I suppose. > > The newer gumstix has all 4 serial ports in the hirose connector. You > could hack a tweener to get at the other two 3.3v TTL serial ports > (the vias on the tweener are pretty easy to solder to). > Would I be able to get the console onto the tweener? That would be perfect for development, since I can easily take it out to save space and power for the final thing. Thanks for the help, Ben -- Ben Firshman be...@fi... http://www.phatmonkey.org.uk/ |
From: Dave H. <dhy...@gm...> - 2006-06-20 17:18:31
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Hi Ben, > > You could also use one of the robostix serial ports and talk to it > > using i2c commands. This would free up the console. > > Are you saying there would be some way to "bridge" the robostix serial > port over I2C? I do not know much about I2C and small embedded devices > like the robostix, but that sounds nice. The two serial devices are a > GPS and phone, so it will need to appear to the gumstix as a normal > serial port I suppose. It's on my TODO list to write some drivers to make the robostix serial ports appear as linux serial ports, but it's still a ways off. > > The newer gumstix has all 4 serial ports in the hirose connector. You > > could hack a tweener to get at the other two 3.3v TTL serial ports > > (the vias on the tweener are pretty easy to solder to). > > > > Would I be able to get the console onto the tweener? That would be > perfect for development, since I can easily take it out to save space > and power for the final thing. Currently, FFUART (the console) and STUART are what's available (from the gumstix) on the robostix. The tweener also make FFUART available. However, since the tweener has all of the signals going from the top to the bottom of the board, you can tap into any of the signals there by soldering a 30 gauge wire-wrap into one of the vias. This would allow access to the other serial ports. -- Dave Hylands Vancouver, BC, Canada http://www.DaveHylands.com/ |
From: Nghiem D. <nd...@uc...> - 2006-06-20 17:22:06
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Ben, We've also been working on a UAV. We use the breakout-gs board to get 3 serial ports (the FF, ST, and HW UARTs. We're currently having trouble getting the HW serial port to work.) The three devices connected to the serial ports are, IMU, Radio Modem, and Servo control board. During development, we use the USB port to SSH to the Gumstix. It's a perfect set up for us. Maybe you could use something like that. Check out the breakout-gs board. Nghiem Do nd...@uc... -----Original Message----- From: gum...@li... [mailto:gum...@li...] On Behalf Of Ben Firshman Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 9:08 AM To: General mailing list for gumstix users. Subject: Re: [Gumstix-users] Gumstix hardware configuration Dave Hylands wrote: > Hi Ben, > > On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: >> I am looking to buy a gumstix solution for a UAV. My requirements: >> >> - two TTL level serial ports >> - at least 4 servo outputs >> - at least 6 analogue inputs >> - expandable flash memory >> >> A basix + robostix seems to cover all of this, but I then see no way of >> communicating with the gumstix from the computer if I'm using up all the >> serial ports and there is no USB port on the robostix. > > Well, you could get a connex and netMMC (that's the combination I > like). Then you can network between the two. I'm planning on using > this in conjunction with a Lantronix WiPortg, which gives a WiPort to > wired ethernet connection, along with a couple of ethernet to RS-232 > ports. This will probably use too much power, and it'll be quite expensive. > > You could get one with built-in bluetooth and use bluetooth to talk to your PC. Ditto > > You could also use one of the robostix serial ports and talk to it > using i2c commands. This would free up the console. Are you saying there would be some way to "bridge" the robostix serial port over I2C? I do not know much about I2C and small embedded devices like the robostix, but that sounds nice. The two serial devices are a GPS and phone, so it will need to appear to the gumstix as a normal serial port I suppose. > > The newer gumstix has all 4 serial ports in the hirose connector. You > could hack a tweener to get at the other two 3.3v TTL serial ports > (the vias on the tweener are pretty easy to solder to). > Would I be able to get the console onto the tweener? That would be perfect for development, since I can easily take it out to save space and power for the final thing. Thanks for the help, Ben -- Ben Firshman be...@fi... http://www.phatmonkey.org.uk/ _______________________________________________ gumstix-users mailing list gum...@li... https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gumstix-users |
From: Nate W <del...@gm...> - 2006-06-21 06:39:36
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> On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: > > I am looking to buy a gumstix solution for a UAV. My requirements: > > > > - two TTL level serial ports > > - at least 4 servo outputs > > - at least 6 analogue inputs > > - expandable flash memory > > > > A basix + robostix seems to cover all of this, but I then see no way of > > communicating with the gumstix from the computer if I'm using up all the > > serial ports and there is no USB port on the robostix. As Dave mentioned, you can use bluetooth to connect with your PC. I find that more convenient than hooking up another cable anyhow. :) However, since you mentioned that one of the peripherals is a phone, you might also investigate communicating with the phone via bluetooth. That might allow you to free up a serial port for PC communication or another device on the aircraft. -- Nate Waddoups Redmond WA USA http://www.natew.com/ <== for nerds http://www.featherforum.com/ <== for birds |
From: Ben F. <be...@fi...> - 2006-06-20 20:09:22
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Actually, the netMMC options sounds like quite a good idea. Is it possible to completely turn off the network adaptor from software to save power when it is not needed? Is it quite easy to disable the serial console on FFUART so I can use it for a device? Ben Dave Hylands wrote: > Hi Ben, > >>> You could also use one of the robostix serial ports and talk to it >>> using i2c commands. This would free up the console. >> Are you saying there would be some way to "bridge" the robostix serial >> port over I2C? I do not know much about I2C and small embedded devices >> like the robostix, but that sounds nice. The two serial devices are a >> GPS and phone, so it will need to appear to the gumstix as a normal >> serial port I suppose. > > It's on my TODO list to write some drivers to make the robostix serial > ports appear as linux serial ports, but it's still a ways off. > >>> The newer gumstix has all 4 serial ports in the hirose connector. You >>> could hack a tweener to get at the other two 3.3v TTL serial ports >>> (the vias on the tweener are pretty easy to solder to). >>> >> Would I be able to get the console onto the tweener? That would be >> perfect for development, since I can easily take it out to save space >> and power for the final thing. > > Currently, FFUART (the console) and STUART are what's available (from > the gumstix) on the robostix. The tweener also make FFUART available. > However, since the tweener has all of the signals going from the top > to the bottom of the board, you can tap into any of the signals there > by soldering a 30 gauge wire-wrap into one of the vias. > > This would allow access to the other serial ports. > -- Ben Firshman be...@fi... http://www.phatmonkey.org.uk/ |
From: Dave H. <dhy...@gm...> - 2006-06-20 20:54:48
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Hi Ben, On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: > Actually, the netMMC options sounds like quite a good idea. Is it > possible to completely turn off the network adaptor from software to > save power when it is not needed? The data sheet says it has enhanced power management features. I'm not sure if the driver does anything with it or not. I suspect that it doesn't draw all that much power when there isn't any ethernet cable plugged in. > Is it quite easy to disable the serial console on FFUART so I can use it > for a device? This can be done, although you'll need to search through the archives to find all of the details. -- Dave Hylands Vancouver, BC, Canada http://www.DaveHylands.com/ |
From: Craig H. <cr...@gu...> - 2006-06-20 21:37:20
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On Jun 20, 2006, at 1:54 PM, Dave Hylands wrote: > Hi Ben, > > On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: >> Actually, the netMMC options sounds like quite a good idea. Is it >> possible to completely turn off the network adaptor from software to >> save power when it is not needed? > > The data sheet says it has enhanced power management features. I'm not > sure if the driver does anything with it or not. > > I suspect that it doesn't draw all that much power when there isn't > any ethernet cable plugged in. It does actually draw quite a lot of power when not connected. I think (haven't tested recently, but my memory makes me think so) that you can stop most power consumption by the controller by holding it in reset using the reset line, which is GPIO80 for eth0 and GPIO52 for eth1. You'll want to ifdown the interfaces first of course, and it's probably safest to "modprobe -r" the driver as well, so that it doesn't get confused. >> Is it quite easy to disable the serial console on FFUART so I can >> use it >> for a device? > > This can be done, although you'll need to search through the archives > to find all of the details. You'll need to stop u-boot from outputting anything on the port too probably, which is also covered in the archives. C |
From: James C. <ja...@ca...> - 2006-06-20 21:45:11
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Ben, If you are going for the gps and phone approach stick the phone onto ttyS0 (the serial console port) as it won't interfere with uboot, then all you need to do is turn off getty for the login in the inittab script and then you can then run your own scripts for the phone etc. If gps was on this port then uboot would interpret data stream as a key press and would never boot. James On Jun 20 2006, Craig Hughes wrote: >On Jun 20, 2006, at 1:54 PM, Dave Hylands wrote: > >> Hi Ben, >> >> On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: >>> Actually, the netMMC options sounds like quite a good idea. Is it >>> possible to completely turn off the network adaptor from software to >>> save power when it is not needed? >> >> The data sheet says it has enhanced power management features. I'm not >> sure if the driver does anything with it or not. >> >> I suspect that it doesn't draw all that much power when there isn't >> any ethernet cable plugged in. > >It does actually draw quite a lot of power when not connected. I >think (haven't tested recently, but my memory makes me think so) that >you can stop most power consumption by the controller by holding it >in reset using the reset line, which is GPIO80 for eth0 and GPIO52 >for eth1. You'll want to ifdown the interfaces first of course, and >it's probably safest to "modprobe -r" the driver as well, so that it >doesn't get confused. > >>> Is it quite easy to disable the serial console on FFUART so I can >>> use it >>> for a device? >> >> This can be done, although you'll need to search through the archives >> to find all of the details. > >You'll need to stop u-boot from outputting anything on the port too >probably, which is also covered in the archives. > >C > > > >_______________________________________________ >gumstix-users mailing list >gum...@li... >https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gumstix-users > |
From: Ben F. <be...@fi...> - 2006-06-21 09:55:36
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This sounds very promising! I suppose I could use a jumper on one of the robostix GPIOs to turn the network interface on and off. A connex, robostix and netMMC with the network interface *off* will not draw much more current than just a basix and a robostix will it? Ben On 20 Jun 2006, at 22:37, Craig Hughes wrote: > On Jun 20, 2006, at 1:54 PM, Dave Hylands wrote: > >> Hi Ben, >> >> On 6/20/06, Ben Firshman <be...@fi...> wrote: >>> Actually, the netMMC options sounds like quite a good idea. Is it >>> possible to completely turn off the network adaptor from software to >>> save power when it is not needed? >> >> The data sheet says it has enhanced power management features. I'm >> not >> sure if the driver does anything with it or not. >> >> I suspect that it doesn't draw all that much power when there isn't >> any ethernet cable plugged in. > > It does actually draw quite a lot of power when not connected. I > think (haven't tested recently, but my memory makes me think so) that > you can stop most power consumption by the controller by holding it > in reset using the reset line, which is GPIO80 for eth0 and GPIO52 > for eth1. You'll want to ifdown the interfaces first of course, and > it's probably safest to "modprobe -r" the driver as well, so that it > doesn't get confused. > >>> Is it quite easy to disable the serial console on FFUART so I can >>> use it >>> for a device? >> >> This can be done, although you'll need to search through the archives >> to find all of the details. > > You'll need to stop u-boot from outputting anything on the port too > probably, which is also covered in the archives. > > C > > > > _______________________________________________ > gumstix-users mailing list > gum...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gumstix-users -- Ben Firshman be...@fi... http://www.phatmonkey.org.uk/ |
From: Craig H. <cr...@gu...> - 2006-06-21 10:04:09
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On Jun 21, 2006, at 2:55 AM, Ben Firshman wrote: > This sounds very promising! I suppose I could use a jumper on one of > the robostix GPIOs to turn the network interface on and off. A > connex, robostix and netMMC with the network interface *off* will not > draw much more current than just a basix and a robostix will it? If my theory about holding the ethernet controller in reset meaning that power consumption will go down on it, then yes, that's correct. C |