Interfacing IR & ultra sonic sensors to onboard laptop

The PIC isn't a particularly expensive piece of hardware. If you don't know PIC programming (or don't want to buy/use a compiler), the real "expense" is the learning curve.

Personally, I'd stick a USB interface to a microcontroller, because the USB interface probably can't be polled fast enough for the liking of the SRF04. There are USB interfaces for about $60. Most have at least 16 I/O lines you can use to communicate with the microcontroller.

I have also not used the Dios line of controllers from Kronos Robotics

but I've seen them recommended many times. These controllers are programming in Basic, and are quite affordable. I don't know if he offers a USB interface, but you can check.

Before you purchase a USB interface, you might want to see if there are any aailable I/O lines from the parallel port. Consider using the control register, not just the data register. There are 8 bits in the data register, and some five outputs in the control register (depends on the port).

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

clement wrote:

Actually I was thinking ActiveWire. It's half the cost of the LabJack, at $60 versus $120, though the LabJack is obviously more "ruggedized" (it has a case, whereas the ActiveWire product is an open PCB).

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

Thanks alot for replying its much appreciated. I am thinking I would like to interface the sensors by using a PIC . I was wondering if you could suggest what type PIC would be best for this type of project and how would be the best way to go about interfacing it to the laptop. Do you know of any websites that would be of help? The problem is I don't know really how to do this at all. I'd be very thankful for any help.

I'm not much of a PIC user, so maybe someone else will weigh in there. I prefer the Atmel AVR line of microcontrollers. The AT90S2313, at about $3 each, would probably work. You might also check out BASCOM AVR, at

It's a Basic-language compiler for the AVR line. They offer a free demo version that will work with the '2313, and should you decide to buy the program it's fairly inexpensive. Included in the docs is a schematic for wiring up a simple programming cable. The AVRs don't need bootloaders or programming boards.

How you connect the PIC or AVR or whatever to your laptop is why you're going to school! Seriously, I would consult with the instructor for ideas.

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

pics

If you don't want to learn asm, jal is probably the easiest and cheapest = option(free). Jal is a pascal like language. Free, opensource.=20

blinking led example=20 Best pic.probably 16f877 or 16f877a or one of the 18fs 18f452 or 18f458

For the ultra sonics look on the devantech webpages for example programs

For connecting to laptop it depends if it has usb and or serial and = parallel. serial and parallel iseasy to do. serial look at using a max232 or = compatable chip. For usb the ftdi chips make it pretty easy.

One advantage if you know c for the avr chips is there is a free port of = gcc that you can use.

Below are some pic and avr links

Here are a few links I have for AVRs

some really nice and easy to use atmega128 control boards. I have used both m128 and mavaric boards. Just gewtting some mavaric2 boards for use as a robot controller.

avr robot control boards also free operating system avrx

ethernet board os, ethernet, compact flash, etc

Digital voice recorder For a build your own see Atmel app note AVR335.pdf AVR335: Digital Sound Recorder with AVR=AE and DataFlash.

All you need to add is a compact flash interface. 4 see ethernut hardware page for an example of cf.

for c compiler avr-gcc and tutorials , app notes

other free compiler for avr (I haven't tried it yet) is sdcc (need cygwin to run on windows)

older version get the latest version here

first call for programs and software, app notes etc

software support tools

guitar tuner avr mp3 players

mini dds / function = generator

dds vfo

50MHz frquency = counter

temperture controller

altimeter and = timers

avr amatuer radio projects including 6 channel voltmeter, freq counter, function = generator,dds,beacon keyer

midi projects

moving message display, displays,

mod chip, gps data parser, gps display, avr projects and file archive seril port and = lcd

avr links page

Ham Radio Related Projects including: VFO Counter/Stabilizer and Programmable PLL board

POCSAG encoder, AVR Based TNC for APRS, Radio to RS-232 interface

servo, stepper, control

avr = projects ranging from 3 axis magmetometer, cnc drive,

mp3 player, I2C,keyboard driver, printf for lcd, graphic lcd

tcpip over ethernet, avr = microkernal

avr robot

clock, 3 channel dac, rs232 to wireless, wireless frequency meter, rf strength meter, 8 channel pwm,

cross assembler 8051 to = avr (not released yet)

CAN Remote Automation and Control with = the AVR

ultrasonic measurement

nixie tube clock (use google to = translate) and other projects

tools and code for lots = of diffrerent projects

IDE Harddisk = interface for micro controllers

telemntry and = datalogging

metal detector,

avr help works out uart = and port pins etc

getting started = with avr getting = started with atmega 128 getting started with = gcc on atmega 128

projects, lcd , led light chaser, = digital and led thermometers and stepper motor driver

control projects via gsm phone, pocketpc to rs232, graphic lcd driver

lcd controller

gameboy camera interface herky jerky robot

good information on = AvrTiny.+ examples and RTOS

open source embedded systems library

electronics, embedded systems and programming pnoyprog, canbus home automation, minithreads

links for I2C

mp3 player using atmega 128 AVR-Assembler-Tutorial

projects and realitime os

projects lcd, thermometer, clock and libraries = for lcd and one wire

dontronics avr pages

embedded systems links

servo control with avr's

avr mp3 player with fat = hdd

ethernut , web server etc using avr

RTOS see AVR freaks

ucos

nutos other rtos for avr

also look at the compiler developer web pages for examples and rtos IAR

pic.

shitload of pic info

sdcc free c compiler for pic(beta), 8051 , avr, z80 etc

gnu pic pic tools etc for linux, macosx, win etc risc os

some simple lcd circuits = and code, voltmeter, adc, stepper driver

pic based scope

simmstick boards from dontronics.com

expensive for chips good projects for atmel at89c2051 (20 pin 8051 chip)

os's

has micro specific = examples

mplab com-atable programmer

c compiler picant Multitasking micro core Posit 1.0 for PIC based systems graphical icon programming corechart java for pic

java based pic programmer Aino is a Java bytecodes to PIC assembly language compiler written in = Java flowchart programming flowcode have some good app notes and rf kits)

programmer for 18f series

pic softare including math routines etc

pic books

square one. get thesource code.

easy to use usb-> rs232 adaptor chips

windows, mac and linux drivers for the chips are avaialble for free from ftdi. are surface mount but are very easy to handle and solder. They appear to the os as a com port. drivers notes sheets other usb links fastest way is a usb->rs232 cable ones work reliably.

If you want to use a PIC fairly cheaply, try the Dios chips/boards from Kronos Robotics.

I've been satisfied by everything I've gotten there.

-- D. Jay Newman