Johnny Five's Content

#2255 Netduino Firmware v4.1.1 ALPHA 1

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 02:59 AM in Beta Firmware and Drivers

Not sure if I did something wrong, but after flashing my Netduino does not respond anymore. The power LED doesn't stay on after plugging in the USB cable. Thoughts?

#2634 Example GPS Code

Posted by Johnny Five on 22 September 2010 - 10:58 PM in Project Showcase

Thanks Patrick. Definitely going to be using this

Hope I can give back to your project at some point!

#1905 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 12:16 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I'm working on a High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) project using a Netduino. One of the shields I desperately need is the Cellular shield (or somet similar that can send txt message through a cell network). I'm hoping to use this: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9607 Does anyone have any experience with it? How hard would it be to port over the necessary drivers/software if it's not supported yet? I am a pretty avid python programmer, and know C# fairly well, but i'm by no means a guru.

#1952 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 06:04 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

RF is black magic voodoo. I work for AT&T Mobility (not the radio piece though) and I see all the RF engineers with chicken blood on their hands and feathers flying by their desks. I don't intrude in their rituals because I'm too scared.

However, with the XBee modules you don't need TCP/IP -- it can be a straight serial connection.

Depending on how high your HAB goes chances are you are going to lose communication with it at some point - hobby-grade electronics generally aren't built for what we do to them <grin>. However, remember you're not going to have LOS issues with a HAB (hopefully!), so it'll be more of a range thing. What altitude are you aiming for?

Hah, no I didn't mean I needed TCP/IP for the module, I was using the analogy the SparkFun article was using. He said that the XBee module was transmitting in a fashion that filled the airspace and corrected mistakes it saw, meaning it took longer to send data, instead of just sending out the data and not fixing errors. I'd rather use the latter.

I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations

I may just use the XBee, but i'm OCD and want things to be as best as I can make it the first time, instead of just getting it to work. I'm sure you know how it is!

#1973 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 09 September 2010 - 12:05 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

So I decided not to use the Cellular Shield linked there. After doing a bunch of reading, it looks like that particular module is a PITA. I found another module that people have already used in HAB projects, and it includes an integrated TCP/IP stack as well as support for INTEGRATED PYTHON. http://www.semicondu...t=42834#details For only $80? Yes please. You can find breakout boards for around $30-60 from Europe, but $75+ here in the states. I'll just use a friend from Europe to send me one....

#1911 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 04:01 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

If you're doing a HAB though cellular may not be your best bet - how high are you talking? Beyond about 10k AGL you're not going to be able to talk to any towers anymore depending on their location and other factors.

Thanks for the info! The cell connection is only a tertiary way of communication, i'm going to have two RF signals as well. This is all about learning and whatnot, and I want to add some cool features along the way, so I totally agree that a cell signal alone would not be a wise decision, but it's certainly fun!

#1950 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 05:46 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

XBee: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9411

They are out of stock but it's got a 40 mile LOS range. You might look at this instead though with a high gain antenna -- it should be sufficient for your needs. Please note that these transmitters require a lot more power (the first one is around 800mA when transmitting) so you might need a separate power source just for your transmitter.

Greg, thanks, this is one of the devices i've seen already that is mentioned in the SparkFun article, but it looks like he didn't have a good experience with it. I don't know enough about RF, but I do know networking, and understand the TCP/IP vs UDP analogy that he gave. So now i'm trying to find a long range RF transmitter that uses UDP and not TCP/IP, except... in RF terms.

I was looking at this: http://www.radiotele... Data Sheet.pdf

Know anything about RF?

And thanks for your replies, they are greatly appreciated!

#1917 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 05:25 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I think it goes without saying that photos of the UAV would be awesome...

Welcome to the community,

Chris

I will be taking lots of pictures as I build it, and then hopefully at launch! I haven't even received my netduino yet, but i've ordered lots of parts and ready to get rolling!

And thanks!

#1947 Cellular Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 08 September 2010 - 05:29 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

just make sure you have VERY good tracking hardware in there -- it's easy to lose your sensor package as Sparkfun found out.

Yes, thank you

I've read through that whole article and found it very informative. I hope to not lose mine!

Johnny Five,

When I woke up this morning, I was certain that I'd be the first to send my netdiuno to near space but now I'm shaking in my boots.

All joking aside, I'm doing a high altitude balloon project with the netduino as well. I think I'm going with the prepaid Boost Mobile Accutracking phone for my tracking and recovery (knowing that I'm going to lose contact for most of the launch) and am going to log GPS and sensor data to an SD card.

Have you managed to find a GPS that works at high altitudes? I've heard the Copernicus does but I'm hesitant to use it because of it's interface.

I just ordered the GPS shield from SparkFun. I know it doesn't work at high-altitudes, but it's basically plug-n-play, and I plan on using it as a stand-in while I develop (and learn everything) until I find a replacement unit. However, I think I know what I want to buy:

http://www.u-blox.co...6-HW-09003).pdf

Specifically the NEO-6Q-0. It says it works at 50,000 meters! Also, it has an UART and USB interface. I've just never soldered/connected raw connections like that before, so I have lots of learning.

My real issue has been that I want include a RF module to implement APRS, however the one module that (seems) perfect that I can find is the eXtend shield, and i'm not sure it's what I want to use, however I can't find any other transmitters that are as long range!

I have a gdocs spreadsheet i'm constantly updating with information on what i've already ordered, and what i'm thinking of ordering, for this project. I'd be willing to give you view access if you wish! Just give me a gmail account in a message.

Good luck!

#2270 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:42 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Update: It's definitely an issue with the USB. I plugged in a wall-wart and it lights up fine. After plugging in the wall-wart and then the USB, it shows up on my computer. Before I send it back I'll buy another cable and see if that works. If not then i'll need a replacement from you. Thanks

#2267 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:33 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Chris, I do not. However I do have a DroidX that takes the same type of cable, and I tried plugging in the DroidX using said cable and it shows that it's connected and charging.

#2275 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:56 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Whichever is faster. I'm assuming that would be with you.

#2409 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 17 September 2010 - 11:46 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Thanks Chris! I received my replacement Netduino in the mail today, and it's working like a charm! You rock! Thanks so much! I'd love to hear your results on what went wrong with the Netduino I sent back.

#2272 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:49 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I plugged in my DroidX charger and it doesn't light up. Good thought. So the MicroUSB connector on the Netduino is definitely faulty. So how do I begin with the replacement process?

#2263 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:17 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Yes, I currently have a USB mouse, USB Keyboard, Logitech Camera, External HD, external infrared sensor... they all work. I just rebooted and the same thing happens. Power light flashes really quickly and then it's off. Doesn't show up on the computer. When I first plugged it in (before flashing the Alpha) it installed fine on the computer. Oh yes, and i've tried plugging the Netduino in a spot that was currently powering another device, still a no go.

#2265 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:29 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

1) No 2) No 3) Eh. No

By "pushbutton" I assume you mean SW1. I did that, and it does the same thing. Both PWR and LED flash once and that's it.

#2254 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 02:47 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

So tonight I opened up my Netduino for the first time after installing the SDK, etc. I excitedly plug the bad boy in. The computer sees it. Great. I know I need the SDcard support in the alpha, so I download it, follow the instructions, and it flashes fine. Now, however, the power LED doesn't stay on. Could I have screwed it up flashing it? I follow the example tutorial, and no matter what I do I can't get my computer to see the netduino. The device doesn't show up in the Task Manager. I can't select it as a device in Visual Studio. What am I doing wrong? I've tried several USB ports on my computer.

#2257 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:01 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Both of them. The one labeled PWR and the other LED. They don't stay on "for a second", it just quickly flashes and that's it.

#2261 Power LED flashes and off?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 03:08 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

1. No electronics/wires are plugged into it except the usb. 2-3. I restarted once already, but i'll do it again. The same occurred before. After the next reboot i'll let you know. 4. I just did MFDeploy. I did not do a full erase.

#1991 Netduino 3D Model is Done!!

Posted by Johnny Five on 09 September 2010 - 06:00 AM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Nice! I'm not sure what i'd use this for, but it's cool

#2310 Multiple Devices with USB Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 07:54 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I need more UARTs, and I want to control an external camera via USB (but the ports the USB shield require are used up by an SDMicro Shield...).. Just out of ports in general. Trying to figure out the best way to get it all connected

And man you guys rock.

#2312 Multiple Devices with USB Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 08:20 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Thanks Chris. I read somet about a plan to release a way to get more pins on the Netduino? How is that coming along?

#2302 Multiple Devices with USB Shield?

Posted by Johnny Five on 14 September 2010 - 07:06 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I have a feeling i'm asking something that is possible but not written for Netduino yet. Is it possible to use several devices with a USB shield? My project is running out of ports on the Netduino (hasn't been actually created yet, but planning stages) and I need to figure out another way to get it all connected. Thanks!

#2622 SoftSerial?

Posted by Johnny Five on 22 September 2010 - 08:53 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

I don't know enough yet to write this on my own, but has this been looked at for the netduino? I need more UART than are on the board, and almost all the other ports are used as well for my project. Anyone working on a softserial implementation?

#2625 SoftSerial?

Posted by Johnny Five on 22 September 2010 - 08:58 PM in Netduino 2 (and Netduino 1)

Hello Chris, I (think) I need 3 UART altogether. Someone mentioned that I could use an SPI-2-UART, but can SPI handle multiple devices? I am using the SDCard shield, and afaik the pins 11-13 are already being used by it.