a place for robotic enthusiasts, builders and user groups
Micro-controllers and so on....
Greetings everyone!
A question that I find commonly asked is "What micro-controller should you use for your project?". This is not always a straight forward answer. -
I have used Robotics Connection Serializer, Arduino (Many Flavors), Axom, Bot Board. Thus far my favorite is the arduino line. More specifically the Arduino Mega from DF Robot.
They have plenty of components that are literally plug and play with their board and their documentation is straight to the point without beating around the bush.
What does everyone prefer?
If there are others out there that are worth mentioning - by all means please mention them!
Have a good night!
-Danny
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Roel Alblas on -
I am a software guy and programming in .NET. So I prefer a processor or platform where I can use .NET on. There is a revolution going on at www.netmf.com, the .NET Micro Framework. Also at www.netduino.com is happening a lot.
But think I am going to use for my new robot a PC/104-plus industry standard CPU module where I just can program in Windows. But it is a bit pricy because its a real pc and fanless. PC104-plus is positive because it is small and you can simply attach it to the robot with screws etc. PC104-plus is also suitable for Linux if you're allergic for Microsoft ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Danny on -
Completely understood. I too come from a computer science background. We have worked with some of these controllers based on the micro framework. In fact we have lined up a product review for the netduino come very soon. You may opt to wait until we do that review to make sure its what you need.
In the past, we have worked with similar boards only to find that it falls short of what we really need. Have you checked out the arduino? Those are easy to code in as well. They do not use .net - rather C/C++. But the coding is straight foward and if you plan on interfacing with the arduino with a pc of some sort - you can simply use a .net application communicating serially to it or over some wireless interface (xbee, wifi, bluetooth).
Let me know if this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Pearce on -
Danny,
I'm curious about the .NET controllers.
I'm using the arduino to test stuff out, and quickly get them running sometimes.
But I usually just build my own, and use WinAVR to code in C/C++.
I also have a couple freescale coldfires, and planning on trying them out on a bot platform.
It really depends on your application, what micro u use, so try different flavors, and see which u like better for ur app.
-Kevin
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Permalink Reply by Danny on
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Kevin,
Points noted. We recently received some FEZDuino's from TI and are in the process of writing up some reviews on them. They are actually quite nice and compatible with the Arduino shields. Right now we are testing the FEZDuino Domino with some DFRobot Shields (XBee Shield, IO Expansion Shield) and no problems yet. Lets see when we fully flush out the XBee to see how well it works.
The only drawback I see with the .NET based board is that they aren't real time. They say you can get real time but you basically have to stop everything and then go forward then restart it again. Not rebooting but basically turning off all triggers / events an things like that so that you can do real time operations. Not sure how this will impact its performance but its something to be aware of.
All and all - like you said - it all depends on what you want to do - what you are comfortable with and what you prefer.
Me personally I prefer to use the controllers that fit the best for the project at hand. Regardless of what technology or language I have to use.
Keep a look out for the FEZDuino reviews they should be coming shortly.
-Danny
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Permalink Reply by Danny on
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Kevin,
BTW I meant to ask you - how are those Freescale Codefires? I haven't worked with those just yet but maybe I should add them as next in line.
-Danny
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Pearce on
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Danny,
The Freescale controllers are pretty neat. I have the older ones (5206 series). It comes with a Netburner Toolchain, that includes the Micro-C OS-II RTOS.
I have used it with the demo programs. ie. Tic-Tac Toe, Serial to Ethernet, and some others.
Real nice. There is also a port of uCLinux for some of these processors, which would be nice to experiment with, but i haven't done that yet.
I got introduced to it at work, and they were giving away some boards, so I grabbed them.
The project we were working was really cool, and they really used up the 32 processing capab.
I'll set it up for some demos, one of these days...
-Kevin
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Permalink Reply by Gursimran Singh Bains on -
You can use the controller L293D to control many stepper motors or even dc motors .
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