First Robotics Project - please assist!

[shuggans]

Hello All - I have a motor driver board from here: http://ezoneda.en.alibaba.com/product/585578140-213323747/_original_chip_L298N_font_b_motor_b_font_driven_plate_stepping_font_b_motor_b_font_robot_car_font_b_dc_b_font_font_b_motor_b_font_.html (the green one pictured).

I also have this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150786681292?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

The problem is: I am a software guy (vb.net) and have no clue how to connect these guys together.  Can someone provide some guidance for me?  I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks
-shuggans

[Tommy]

how to connect these guys together

shuggans, at first glance it seems your missing something.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/150786681292?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
the above device seems to be used to enable rs232 between PC and  a Microcontroller.

http://ezoneda.en.alibaba.com/product/585578140-213323747/_original_chip_L298N_font_b_motor_b_font_driven_plate_stepping_font_b_motor_b_font_robot_car_font_b_dc_b_font_font_b_motor_b_font_.html
the above device seems to be used to drive larger stepping motor from Micro I/O lines.

do you have a microcontroller you plan to use?

because to feel comfortable with software, google "phidgetstepper"

Tommy

[shuggans]

I bought this motor driver as a cheapo to learn on until I purchase this driver board from dimension engineering:

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/sabertooth2x60

Can I use my current MAX232 board to go directly into that sabertooth board?  Or will I still need a micro controller in between?

[jwatte]

You need a microcontroller. The MAX232 board does UART communications. The Sabretooth does step/direction signal communications. The uC needs to translate. A simple Arduino board, or a Atmega microcontroller (or any other microcontroller, PIC, MSP430, whatever) can typically do this.

[Tommy]

Can I use my current MAX232 board to go directly into that sabertooth board?  Or will I still need a micro controller in between?

shuggans, you should be able to use the Max232 to control the sabertooth using serial interface.

Tommy