Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Software => Software => Topic started by: vidam on September 06, 2008, 02:49:13 PM

Title: Using 2 UARTS for Motors and Blackfin
Post by: vidam on September 06, 2008, 02:49:13 PM
Can anyone help me estimate the FPS from the Blackfin camera with the
Axon if you use 2 uarts-- for your robot motors and camera?
Theoretically the Blackfin can do 30 fps, but it could be much less if you are using 2 uarts
such as one UART for motors and the other for the camera.

I assume it would take milliseconds to swap the uarts. I also
wonder if the motors will still run while the uart is off? sudden
stops might not be good even if it is just for milliseconds, or
however long it takes to process an image.

Title: Re: Using 2 UARTS for Motors and Blackfin
Post by: Admin on September 06, 2008, 03:10:33 PM
The Axon doesn't capture frames from the Blackfin. It only gets processed data.

Is the code I gave you, that swaps UART between Blackin and USB, not fast enough?

Quote
I also wonder if the motors will still run while the uart is off?
You mean motor drivers that use serial? Check datasheet.
Title: Re: Using 2 UARTS for Motors and Blackfin
Post by: vidam on September 06, 2008, 04:29:28 PM
The Axon doesn't capture frames from the Blackfin. It only gets processed data.

Is the code I gave you, that swaps UART between Blackin and USB, not fast enough?

Quote
I also wonder if the motors will still run while the uart is off?
You mean motor drivers that use serial? Check datasheet.

Well I never saw the Blackfin work so I don't know. I sent it back to get looked at by Surveyor Corp.

I checked the Sabertooth datasheet for simplified serial mode. They are not clear about whether or not the motors turn off when you switch the UART port off. They do state that sending 0x00 will shut down both motors, so maybe people can infer from that sentence that the motors will still turn. I will have to test it and see. Right now, my place is getting cleaned so all my stuff is in disarray until the carpets are cleaned.  But I will test it and let everyone know.