Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: plastic on February 15, 2011, 02:32:44 PM

Title: choise of microcontrollers when I don't need programming to flash.(live control)
Post by: plastic on February 15, 2011, 02:32:44 PM

Hi, I'm new to microcontrollers.

I was thinking of creating hexapod spider robot with at least 12 servos on it (digital or analog-not sure). I have no idea what microcontroller I should buy... I don't want to create any scripts on C or others, compile them an putting on flash memory of microcontroller. -> all I want is direct "live" control, without any sensors, programming to flash memory and such. I do NOT need autonomous robot.

I did read this
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_parts_list_microcontrollers.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_parts_list_microcontrollers.shtml)
and this
http://www.societyofrobots.com/microcontroller_tutorial.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/microcontroller_tutorial.shtml)
but I just want to control 12 servos via keyboard on PC (wirelessly), so I don't whant to pay extra money for flash memory on servo controller and other features I won't need...

Does any microcontroller have option for programming to flash? Is it non-separable? What specs/features should I search for a "simple" microcontroller.

By the way, is there any difference between "servo controller" and "microcontroller" terms?

Title: Re: choise of microcontrollers when I don't need programming to flash.(live control)
Post by: Cyntrox on February 15, 2011, 02:45:26 PM

A servo controller and a microcontroller are two different devices.

As far as I know, all microcontrollers are programmable. It doesn't sound like you want a microcontroller at all - more like some sort of remote control. I know very little of remote control, however, this might help: http://www.societyofrobots.com/remote_control_robot.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/remote_control_robot.shtml)

Title: Re: choise of microcontrollers when I don't need programming to flash.(live control)
Post by: rbtying on February 15, 2011, 03:21:32 PM

The general implementation of a servo controller is a preprogrammed microcontroller that takes an input from another microcontroller and outputs it to the servos (essentially a more advanced multiplexer). 

Just about any microcontroller can be programmed to become a servo controller, but the commercial ones are debugged and have more support.

Title: Re: choise of microcontrollers when I don't need programming to flash.(live control)
Post by: plastic on February 16, 2011, 11:46:30 AM

Quote from: Cyntrox on February 15, 2011, 02:45:26 PM

...I know very little of remote control, however, this might help: http://www.societyofrobots.com/remote_control_robot.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/remote_control_robot.shtml)

Thanks.
..."How to Build a Remote Control Robot" tutorial is just not my case....
Well, paragraph "Teleoperation" covers what I need, but only abstract idea, which I already understand.
"Optional: Teleoperation" explains it a bit, but I still don't get it.
I wanted examples on hardware like "you buy this servo controller and this wire, put this here..." Too bad there is no hardware examples, explanations,... "things you will need" list.  :'(
 

Title: Re: choise of servo controllers for wireless spider (for control via PC)
Post by: plastic on February 16, 2011, 12:00:13 PM

thanks rbtying, it made it clearer a bit.

btw, I found helpful topic http://forum.pololu.com/viewtopic.php?t=3496#p16356 (http://forum.pololu.com/viewtopic.php?t=3496#p16356)

I guess I will need "Mini Maestro 24-Channel USB Servo Controller" (http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1356 (http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1356))
with "Bluetooth Modem - BlueSMiRF Gold" (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/582 (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/582))

Any alternatives/suggestions, (mainly) on servo controller for wireless spider?