RoboRealm Forum

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Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

I have used a generic game pad and a logitech cordless rumble pad. Basically anything that windows recognizes as a joystick will work. BTW the cordless rumble pads are a great way to remote control your robotics projects.

have fun,
mmason

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Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Greg,

It will largely depend on how windows deal with that controller. We also use the Saiteck Pad with good success ... but we're not sure how that relates to what you have.

And, yes, the joystick module would be the thing to test with that joystick.

STeven.

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Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Thank you for providing this information, this article is very helpful!

Does anyone know if this configuration would work with a playstation like controller, such as a logitech gamepad or something similar? I assume I would have to use the joystick module to figure out what each button controls and affects.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Greg

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Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Yes, you would need the driver for the USB-TTL cable ... i.e. something like

http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

if it uses that chip. Once installed it will appear like a COM port but will actually be a virtualized one. Not unlike a USB-Serial type cable.

STeven.

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Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

I know what a USB-TTL cable is, I already made one, and it works, but do I need a COM emulator to use with RoboRealm?

No Title

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

I don't have a sabertooth in front of me, but basically it is a TTL device. You either need a USB -> TTL cable (Search on FTDI USB -> TTL) or you can build one quickly with a MAX232/233 (google it) or even more cheaply with a 74xx04 and a voltage divider.
Dimension has an app note on it at:
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/appnotes/Roborealm/Roborealm.htm

If you want to do it cheap you can use something like this:
http://profmason.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/max232gps1.JPG

No Title

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Thanks mate!

Do I have to use a COM emulator?
I haven't yet received my SLA batteries to power this whole thing, so I have yet to try

No Title

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Briefly:
Import the joystick module and make sure that you are receiving commands from the joystick.  (If not, then check using the windows joystick control)  In my experience, anything that works in one, works in the other.
Now Write a bit of VBscript that maps the joystick commands to the motion commands of the motors:  Here is a possible bit:

joystick_x = GetVariable("JOYSTICK_X")
joystick_y = GetVariable("JOYSTICK_Y")

if joystick_x > 200 then
    motor_left = 200

end if

if joystick_x < -200 then
    motor_output = abs(int(joystick_x/4)+5)&"A"
end if

if joystick_y > 200 then
    motor_output = abs(int(joystick_y/4)-5)&"X"
end if

if joystick_y < -200 then
  motor_output = abs(int(joystick_y/4)+5)&"W"
end if

if abs(joystick_x)< 100 and abs(joystick_y) < 100 then
motor_output = "S"
end if

SetVariable("MOTOR_OUTPUT"),motor_output

Note, I am not using a sabertooth in this code (Instead a serial PID controller) You will want to replace the motor_output = ......
with
left_motor = 200
right _ motor = 200
etc.  At the end you will need to use SetVariable for both motors IE

SetVariable("LEFT_MOTOR"),left_motor
SetVariable("RIGHT_MOTOR"),right_motor

Last thing is to setup the Sabertooth control to use those two values (LEFT_MOTOR) and (RIGHT_MOTOR) to control the two motors on your bot.  You will need to do some experimentation to find the optimal values to make it go left, right etc.  If you are using an analog stick, you will probably want to use some sort of analog control.

I am including a robo file for controlling a robot over the serial port using the joystick.

have fun,
profmason

No Title

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

Did you look at the documentation?

http://www.roborealm.com/help/Joystick.php

Interfacing Windows Joystick to RoboRealm?

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:11:00 EST

I haven't found anything on this but here is my setup:

Motors->Sabertooth 2x25->TTL->USB->Roborealm

I am using a PS2 controller, but I am sure that makes no difference as long as it is recognizable as a PaP USB Windows Controller

Is there a way to control said motors with a windows Joystick in the RoboRealm program?

How so?