Re: [iPAQ] Using IPaq on a Palmrobot

Erol Sahin wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> I am considering to use an iPaq to control a Palmrobot
> http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~pprk/
>
> The robot is controlled through the RS232 port of the
> Palm. However the iPaq that I am interested in (1940) using has
> a USB device (not a USB host). If I buy a USB-RS232
> converter cable, will the interace work? Or should I
> expect problems in this interface?
>

This won't work exactly because the iPaq is a USB device. You would need a USB
host controller on the robot (ick!).

It would be better to use an iPaq with an actual serial port (and proper Linux
support, while we're at it :).

If you can not use one of these, maybe using the IrDA port with an infrared
transceiver on the robot side would be an easier solution.

I don't know enough about programming for PocketPC, but under Linux you can use
the serial port (that has the IrDA interface) directly.

In this case you would only need a simple transceiver on the robot side without
any changes to the robot firmware.

There are lots of transceiver chips/modules. For example, have a look at:

http://pavouk.org/hw/en_irda.html

If you google for "irda transceiver module" you'll find lots of other examples.

You will probably need to hack the pcb on the robot to use ttl levels from the
transceiver (maybe remove a max232, or compatible chip, on the board and short
circuit the correct pins).

This is not the most elegant solution ever, but it is *a* solution.

I hope this helps,

-- 
Paulo Marques
Software Development Department - Grupo PIE, S.A.
Phone: +351 252 290600, Fax: +351 252 290601
Web: www.grupopie.com
"In a world without walls and fences who needs windows and gates?"