11 replies to this topic

[Alex Hopmann]

So I'm trying to get started and hitting some snags with initial communication. I have a FTDI cable from SparkFun (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9717) and am trying to get basic communication going with my mini and failing. I have a 9v batter powering pin 24, ground attached to 23, yellow FTDI to 11, orange FTDI to 12 and I get nothing from the mini. I've tried connecting the yellow & orange pins together and I get echo so the FTDI cable appears to work. I've hooked it up to a XBee and it worked talking to that thing. I've mostly tried using the terminal in the XBee X-CTU software but I've also tried other stuff- 115200 8-N-1. Any suggestions? Neither powering on nor hitting ESC or anything else has gotten output from the mini. Thanks!

[m.lai]

Hi must be connected to pin 23 of the Netduino Mini with the gnd of the FTDI cable

[Alex Hopmann]

Yep, the FTDI ground is connected to my ground bus (which is connected to pin 23).

[NooM]

maybe try switching the rx/tx pins. its tx from mini to rx from ftdi, rx from mini to tx from ftdi //edit: also try with putty, its a good programm. settings: "yourcomport" 115200

[Alex Hopmann]

Tried with putty, still no luck. Tried switching rx/tx pins multiple times. Only time I see anything is when I hook them up together (or to the xbee).

[Chris Walker]

Hi Alex, Are you opening port COM1 on the Netduino Mini? Chris

[Alex Hopmann]

Hi Alex,

Are you opening port COM1 on the Netduino Mini?

Chris

My FTDI is showing up as COM3 on my PC. I get nothing from the mini so I haven't gotten the prompt to select one or the other from the mini itself?

[NooM]

did you buy it used? maybe you have to reflash it over the rs232 port (dont use your ftdi cable ob that! - needs a max232 in between or a normal computer rs232 port)

[Alex Hopmann]

did you buy it used? maybe you have to reflash it over the rs232 port (dont use your ftdi cable ob that! - needs a max232 in between or a normal computer rs232 port)

Nope, bought it new from SparkFun. And I actually bought two and they are both the same. I'll try to take a picture of my breadboard & post it so people can try to see what stupid mistake I made (I'm sure I'm just missing something obvious).

[NooM]

mini pinout

rx and tx need to be reversed.
but that you allready tested.

hmm

//edit: you should try connect via the 12v serial (not with your ftdi chip! -use a max232 between or use your computers rs232)
maybe they chaned something, idk - on pin 1 and 2 ofc

[Alex Hopmann]

mini pinout

rx and tx need to be reversed.
but that you allready tested.

hmm

//edit: you should try connect via the 12v serial (not with your ftdi chip! -use a max232 between or use your computers rs232)
maybe they chaned something, idk - on pin 1 and 2 ofc

Getting an actual RS232 port on any of my modern computers sounds like quite a trick. Or am I missing something?

[NooM]

idk, mine has at least one -.- if not, use a max232 to step up your ftdi signal and step down the minis pin1&2 singals