Wayne C. Gramlich wrote:
>
>
> --- In RoboBricks2@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:RoboBricks2%40yahoogroups.com>, Brandon Blodget <bbhome@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I am trying to connect the on board 3.3v serial port of the
> > wrtsl54gs router to the WireHost module. I've followed the
> > instruction at
> >
> >
> http://www.hbrobotics.org/wiki/index.php5/WRTSL54GS#Using_on_board_serial_port
>
<http://www.hbrobotics.org/wiki/index.php5/WRTSL54GS#Using_on_board_serial_port>
> >
> > When I try and send serial data from the wrtsl54gs using
> > microcom my characters are echoed back to me but I don't
> > get any other data back. For example when I type "Z<enter>"
> > it echo's 'Z' and a newline but no info about the modules is
> > returned. When replacing/bipassing the MAX232 do I need to
> > pass through the DTR signal? When I use the usb2serial
> > cable connected to the router (with the MAX232 on WireHost)
> > sending commands from microcom works as expected. Any
> > suggestions?
>
> Brandon:
>
> I have not posted a circuit the WireHost conversion.
> The longer term solution is to use a newly designed
> module called SerialHost1, which I am just about ready
> to send off to manufacture.
>

On the subject of hosts -- one thing I am excited to play with but
haven't had a chance, is the Atmel AT90USBKEY development board. This
board is $36 at Digi-Key. It has an AT90USB processor, some on-board
dataflash, misc switches and LED's, and the rest of the I/O broken out.
It has a USB-On-The-Go connector, so it can be either a USB host *or*
device. Dean Camera has written a project with GPL'ed USB class drivers
for a bunch of useful devices. See:

http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/MyUSB.php

There is a broken-out serial port on the AT90USBKEY. I'm thinking a
nice RoboBricks2 host interface could be built by attaching a CAN
transceiver as a small daughter board. You could not only interface
your robot as a USB device, but since it has an OTG connector you could
plug in a keyboard, joystick, or other standard peripheral.

And... since it comes factory pre-programmed with a bootloader, you
don't need to buy a development system. All you need is the avr-gcc
tool chain. (Of course, without at ICE you have to do all your
debugging with 4 LED's). I'm not sure, but I think a Dragon can debug
in the first 32K of program flash on the AT90USB, but you should double
check.

-dave