Jeez, Steve - what's the good news! :) Would I have the same timing
issues with the GP2D12 sensor as used in the PPRK? Or does the fact
that the D12 is "always on" mean you don't experience this?
I'll try and get my hands on a D12 sensor, if that will be easier
than tackling these timing problems.
Anyone want a GP2D02 - never used!

A,

Jacob, is there any means to implement a hardware interrupt on the
SV203 (any suffix)?

Ah - thanks! That would make sense. Either way, it's good to have the
workaround.

Steve

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "Papa__J" <jacob@p...> wrote:
> This maybe due to transient voltages on power up putting garbage
into
> the SV203 serial buffer, you maybe able to just send a ASCII 13
prior
> to sending any commands to flush the buffer.
>
> Jacob
>
> --- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "steve_arnold_63" <steve_arnold_63@y...>
> wrote:
> > One thing I've discovered with using the SV203C on a Palm with
> > Smallbasic - the FIRST command you send is ignored.  No problem -
I
> > just send a dummy command (like SV1M0).  I'm not sure, but I
> suspect
> > this is a Smallbasic side-effect.
> >
> > Steve

This maybe due to transient voltages on power up putting garbage into
the SV203 serial buffer, you maybe able to just send a ASCII 13 prior
to sending any commands to flush the buffer.

Jacob

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "steve_arnold_63" <steve_arnold_63@y...>
wrote:
> One thing I've discovered with using the SV203C on a Palm with
> Smallbasic - the FIRST command you send is ignored.  No problem - I
> just send a dummy command (like SV1M0).  I'm not sure, but I
suspect
> this is a Smallbasic side-effect.
>
> Steve

One thing I've discovered with using the SV203C on a Palm with
Smallbasic - the FIRST command you send is ignored.  No problem - I
just send a dummy command (like SV1M0).  I'm not sure, but I suspect
this is a Smallbasic side-effect.

Steve

Brian, see body for my responses to your questions...

>How easy has it been for you to use this controller in your own
projects?

Easy - the time consuming part continues to be the mechanical aspects
(finding wheels, attaching gears, etc)

> How long did it take for you to get the controller in your hands
after you ordered it?

Less than a week.

> Does it come with thurogh and adequate documentation?

Yeah pretty much - there are a couple of items that could be a little
clearer - the docs can be downloaded in PDF format from the site if
you want to look ahead of time. There are also a couple of extra
undocumented commands for the SV203C that Jacob has been helpful in
pointing out.

> Have you been satisfied with the performance of this controller?

Yes - although I'd recommend reading some of the first postings,
because I had to overcome some initial obstacles, using it with
smallbasic on a palm, with 4AA cells (read the tips).

> Does this controller only run a series of commands at a touch of the
> remote's button, or does it have to be heavily modified to step a
> servo when I press a button on the remote?

no mods - just eprom programming using PONTECH's BASIC subset (there's
a program supplied to do it with ease - no low level mucking around)

> How hard is it to program?

Depends what programming language you use, and how familiar you are
with it. The commands are merely serial strings. Programming the
eeprom is a cinch if you're at all familiar with BASIC.

> Does it come with a software utility that I can run on my computer
to
> run the controler when it's connected to the computer, and do I
> require a special board to interface my computer to the controller?

You can download the EEPROM BASIC compiler/programmer from Pontech's
site. There's a couple of test programs, I believe, but I didn't mess
with them cuz I wanted to write my own.

> What sort of projects/applications have you used this contoller in?

robotics.  Animatronics pending.

> Would you recommend this controller for a reversable two channel
> application that could be programmed on the fly through the remote?

Haven't messed with the IR portion yet, although that's definitely on
the books.  There's a sample proggy in the manual supplement to show
how to use IR.

> Would it be possible to integrate the controller with a feedback
> control circuit? Said circuits would let the controller know the
> position of the servos.

Servos do this inherantly with this board - you send them to position
200, they go to position 200 , unless you're talking about modified
servos for continuous rotation.  If that's the case, then that's my
one complaint about this board - the lack of interface for interrupts
and service routines. If there's a way to do it, it's not in the
documentation and you'd have to know your way around the PIC16C73. No
interrupts mean you need to poll, and that's a processor hog.

> Do you feel you got your money's worth from this controller?

yup

> And, finally, if we do decide to use one of these controllers (which
> looks nearly like a lock), would you good folks have the patience to
> help my partner and myself out by answering the rest of the 900
> thousand questions we are sure to ask? Due credit and documentation
in
> our final presentation for all who have been of assistance will be
> given and made!

yup - as much as possible with my limited experience and knowledge

Greetings freinds!

My name is Brian Jahr. My partner and I are considering purchasing one
of the SV203C's to be the brains for our capstone project for our
engineering degrees.

We have very limited time and funds for this project, so I would
appreciate any feedback all of you may have to offer about this
particular device. Your answers could make or break the feasibility of
our design. I have just a few million questions about the SV203C, but
here are the most important dozen or so. Hopefully, they wont be too
repetitive or inane. If they are, hey, I am a mechanical engineering
student, cut me some slack! <G>

How easy has it been for you to use this controller in your own projects?

How long did it take for you to get the controller in your hands after
you ordered it?

Does it come with thurogh and adequate documentation?

Have you been satisfied with the performance of this controller?

Does this controller only run a series of commands at a touch of the
remote's button, or does it have to be heavily modified to step a
servo when I press a button on the remote?

How hard is it to program?

Does it come with a software utility that I can run on my computer to
run the controler when it's connected to the computer, and do I
require a special board to interface my computer to the controller?
What sort of projects/applications have you used this contoller in?

Would you recommend this controller for a reversable two channel
application that could be programmed on the fly through the remote?

Would it be possible to integrate the controller with a feedback
control circuit? Said circuits would let the controller know the
position of the servos.

Do you feel you got your money's worth from this controller?

And, finally, if we do decide to use one of these controllers (which
looks nearly like a lock), would you good folks have the patience to
help my partner and myself out by answering the rest of the 900
thousand questions we are sure to ask? Due credit and documentation in
our final presentation for all who have been of assistance will be
given and made!

I thank you all in advance for taking the time to consider these
questions and post answers.

Safe skies,
Brian Jahr
daslinwurm@...
bjahr@...
815-748-0309

The SV203 can handle up to 15VDC, which is probably much more than
your servos can handle.

Jacob

-----Original Message-----
From: brettm523 [mailto:brettm523@...]
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 9:53 PM
To: jacob@...
Subject: Re: servos stopping


Won't a higher voltage burn out the board?  How high of a voltage can
it safely handle?

Arawata,

The sharp specifications for this puppy can be seen
at the following URL:
http://www.gramlich.net/projects/datasheets/sharp/gp2d02.pdf

Looking at the timing diagram, it's no wonder
you're having some challenges with this. Add
to that the fact that the VIN is supposed to
be 3V while your power supply needs to be 5V
to ensure the proper Vout levels. Did it come
with a diode?

I'd think the first problem is timing -the
critical timings are:

>=70mS for time between sample request (when
you set Vin low) and the beginning of your data
shifting routine

<=.2mS for "High" time during each clocking pulse

>=1mS for entire 8-bit clocking cycle

You have basically 2 approaches available to you
with the type of board you have:
1) use one of your servo ports in digital output
mode, and struggle with timing
2) use the serial input port

Option 1)---
However, with this thing running at 9600Baud comm
speed, you're looking for a miracle, because a
message to merely turn on a BIT or READ
a bit will take too long and you'll miss the
timing requirements. (9600 baud=about 1K per
second, and a simple output command will take
4 bytes - that means you're taking about 4mS
(2ms at 19200 baud is still too long).

Alternatively, you can try the serial input port.
The docs that came with the board don't indicate
the clocking speed that's set for the SI command,
but timing problems would likely be an issue.
In addition, you have the problem of sending a
"start pulse", and the timing diagrams just won't
line up since the GP2D02 doesn't start providing
accurate samples until the rising edge of the *2nd*
clocking input pulse (a "rising edge sample"
configuration setting on the pontech board would
sample BEFORE the first bit was available from the
GP2D02).

IMHO, I'd say what you need is a way to set up the
timing with a single input and a single output line
- which can't be done without some integral coding
ON the processor board (like a STAMP or an OOPIC)
because serial comm at these speeds is just too slow.


--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "arawata" <arawata@o...> wrote:
> Can you guys who are much more technical and intelligent than me
(you
> can tell I want something, right?) please advise how this poor fool
> should cable up a Sharp GP2D02 IRDDS to the beloved SV203? I am not
> even certain the pins I should connect to on the board.
> If you're not familiar with this IR sensor, the following link shows
> a schematic for connecting it to a Basic STAMP (if that helps).
>
>
http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/examples/GP2D02-4/GP2D02-4.html
>
> TIA
> arawata

I was experiencing this very same thing
with only a single servo - so I cut the
onboard jumper, and connected a second,
separate 6V supply to the servo power
input connector - and now it works
perfectly. I'd recommend this as a
STANDARD procedure to anyone with this
board.

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "Papa__J" <jacob@p...> wrote:
> No, your on the right trail, you may need a higher voltage or
current
> capable pack.  What you are experiencing is inadequate power for the
> servo motors causing the voltage to dip and the board to reset.
>
> Jacob
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: brettm523 [mailto:brettm523@h...]
> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 9:54 AM
> To: tech.support@p...
> Subject: servos stopping
>
>
> Hi, I recently purchased an SV203 and I'm experienceing some
> problems.  I have 3 servos connected to the board and when I send a
> command to start any of the 3 servos, they will start and then stop
> after a split second. Every once in a while I will get one going,
but
> if I then try to start another servo, they both cut out immediately.
> When I recieved my SV203 there was a design change notice in the
> package saying that there is new brown out protection circuitry that
> resets the board if there is an inadequate power supply. I thought
> that this could be the problem, but I checked my power supply and
all
> of the batteries are fresh and the connections are solid.  Just to
be
> sure though, I went out and bought a 6V Ni-cad battery pack and
> connected it to the board fully charged.  Same problem.  Any ideas?

> Thanks
> -brett

Can you guys who are much more technical and intelligent than me (you
can tell I want something, right?) please advise how this poor fool
should cable up a Sharp GP2D02 IRDDS to the beloved SV203? I am not
even certain the pins I should connect to on the board.
If you're not familiar with this IR sensor, the following link shows
a schematic for connecting it to a Basic STAMP (if that helps).

http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/examples/GP2D02-4/GP2D02-4.html

TIA
arawata

No, your on the right trail, you may need a higher voltage or current
capable pack.  What you are experiencing is inadequate power for the
servo motors causing the voltage to dip and the board to reset.

Jacob

-----Original Message-----
From: brettm523 [mailto:brettm523@...]
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 9:54 AM
To: tech.support@...
Subject: servos stopping


Hi, I recently purchased an SV203 and I'm experienceing some
problems.  I have 3 servos connected to the board and when I send a
command to start any of the 3 servos, they will start and then stop
after a split second. Every once in a while I will get one going, but
if I then try to start another servo, they both cut out immediately.
When I recieved my SV203 there was a design change notice in the
package saying that there is new brown out protection circuitry that
resets the board if there is an inadequate power supply. I thought
that this could be the problem, but I checked my power supply and all
of the batteries are fresh and the connections are solid.  Just to be
sure though, I went out and bought a 6V Ni-cad battery pack and
connected it to the board fully charged.  Same problem.  Any ideas?
Thanks
-brett

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "steve_arnold_63" <steve_arnold_63@y...>
wrote:
> I just posted some new pics from Arawata - his nifty looking base
> made with CD cases, with a sharp IR sensor mounted on a servo on
top.
>  Nice wheels!

Thanks for posting the photo's, Steve, For anyone who is interested,
I'll give you some info on this robot project, which I call the Brick
(due to it's block-like shape).
OK, the brains are a Palm V using HotPaw yBasic, and sometimes
SmallBasic code. Propulsion is from two Futaba FP-S148 servos
modified for continuous rotation, plus a third mounted vertically to
sweep a Sanyo GP2D02 IR distance detecting sensor. Obviously, it uses
an SV203 board and a 4xAA battery pack (soon to use two of these, for
separate servo power supply). The chassis is made up of two CD jewel
cases (super-glued closed for rigidity) forming a sandwich with the
servos, SV203 and batteries as the meat in the middle.
At the moment, the Brick will move around on a pre-programmed course
very well (tracks in a straight line, will turn in sharp or gentle
curves, spin on the spot, etc). Unfortunately, I don't know enough of
the technicals to get the IRDDS working - that will soon be the
subject of another post requesting assistance!

arawata

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
Pontech_SV203 group:

Please indicate what type of
computer you're interfacing your PONTECH
board to!

   o PC - DOS
   o PC - using WINxx(any)
   o MAC
   o PALM
   o OTHER


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pontech_SV203/surveys?id=10811604

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

I just posted some new pics from Arawata - his nifty looking base
made with CD cases, with a sharp IR sensor mounted on a servo on top.
  Nice wheels!

Robert,

I'm going to be tackling some animatronics in about a month or so. I
learned quite a bit from ripping into a Teddy Ruxpin - which uses PWM
recorded onto one channel of a standard audio tape - with the
soundtrack on the other channel. I've been pondering writing a program
to basically sync a "servo control file" separately sampled at about
10 samples per second per channel, with a prerecorded audio CD (one
channel with audio, the second with a sync pulse at a predetermined
frequency to start the PWM sample recording/playback).

Once I've got a reliable recording/playback setup, then I can do the
mechanical parts... but without a sync'd audio track, it's rather
pointless.

Steve

Hi, I just joined this group, Excited to see a SV203 user group.
Thought I would pass along some of the things that I am doing with
the SV203 in both Robotics and Animatronics.

Anyone doing animatronics with the SV203?

http://www.bpesolutions.com/gadgets.ws/gproject3.html

Well, okay, I updated the PONTECH home page and tech support page to
include links to this group.  So it should get a little more activity
after today.

Jacob Christ
ProLinear/PONTECH, Inc.

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "steve_arnold_63" <steve_arnold_63@y...>
wrote:
> Please post!
>
> (I talk to myself enough - I don't need a yahoo group to do it in!)

Please post!

(I talk to myself enough - I don't need a yahoo group to do it in!)

I just uploaded some pics of my wheelbase (with the skippy peanut
butter jar lids for wheels!) Tonight I did some experimenting to
determine speed matching for the left and right wheel servos, and
recorded fast and slow settings for forward, reverse, left turn, and
right turn. I'll use these as string constants in my program, with
separate subroutines for each.

One of the next problems I face is determining how far the sucker has
moved - I suspect I'll have to use a wheel encoder with some sort of
external counting circuit on each wheel, seeing as the Pontech board
doesn't have interrupt capability and polling will just hog resources.

Anyone done something similar or have other suggestions?

Steve

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
Pontech_SV203 group:

Please indicate which version of the
SV203 you have

   o SV203 (standard board)
   o SV203B (with built-in EEPROM)
   o SV203C (EEPROM and IR link)
   o Don't own one yet


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pontech_SV203/surveys?id=10794205

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Well, I just completed my first robot base, although it needs a little
tweaking.  I'm not sure if it's due to a difference in speed between
the L and R servo, but it consistently veers to the left.  I suspect
it's something I can fix with an adjustment to the wheel alignment,
since they're not perfectly aligned either.  It's a tail-dragger
(caster wheel in the rear).  I used skippy peanut butter lids for the
left and right drive wheels, with thick rubber bands on them for
traction.  Pictures will follow!

Steve

I'd like to personally say welcome to this new group! Please feel free
to share your SV203 experiments and projects!

Steve

--- In Pontech_SV203@y..., "steve_arnold_63" <steve_arnold_63@y...>
wrote:
> Please feel free to post your HotPaw files.  Hope your programming
is
> going well - any luck with the IR interface?
Hi Steve,
Haven't gone near the robot for a while now ... too many other things
on the go. Hopefully I'll have something to contribute to this forum
shortly. Maybe even some photo's of my creation for the general
amusement of all!

A,

Please feel free to post your HotPaw files.  Hope your programming is
going well - any luck with the IR interface?

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Pontech_SV203
group.

   File        : /smallBASIC/adtest.bas
   Uploaded by : steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>
   Description : Samples A/D input #1 and outputs the value to Servo#1

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pontech_SV203/files/smallBASIC/adtest.bas

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Pontech_SV203
group.

   File        : /smallBASIC/adtest.bas
   Uploaded by : steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>
   Description : Samples Analog input #1 and outputs the value to Servo#1

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pontech_SV203/files/smallBASIC/adtest.bas

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Pontech_SV203
group.

   File        : /smallBASIC/servo.bas
   Uploaded by : steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>
   Description : moves servos to positions as defined by user input

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pontech_SV203/files/smallBASIC/servo.bas

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

steve_arnold_63 <steve_arnold_63@...>

Here are a few pointers I've learned for using the SV203

1) Power is everything. Do yourself a favor and cut the jumper on the
board and use a separate 6V power supply for the servos.  Otherwise,
you'll experience problems like servos merely "twitching" or not
responding at all (the initial current draw seems to have a tendency
to crash the microcontroller, losing your command string).

2) UPPER CASE command strings.  Nuff said.

3) A spare RS-232 jumper cable (from a computer) makes a good 10-pin
connector for the A/D and serial shift port.

the SV203 can be used with a PALM freeware program called
"smallBASIC"(see the bookmarks section for link), or with HOTPAW
basic (costs to register).

If you're using smallBASIC, note that you MUST add a chr$(13) to the
end of print statements that are sending to the SV203 via the com
port.

i.e. - print #1, "BD1SV1M128";chr$(13)

Otherwise, it won't work because smallBASIC uses a chr$(10) as a eol
delimiter.