Greetings friends,

My name is Cristi, this is my first post on this forum, although I've been surfing it for a month now. I'm very happy see people sharing their knowledge here, I learned some nice things...

I'm going to purchase 2 ASURO kits for my thesis project.

Here's a short description of my project and my main problems.

My projects involves the operation of the 2 ASURO bots (or three if this will stay withing reasonable costs) via a wireless communication between them and a laptop. The communication should be bi-directional, but only between the robot and the computer, no need to have inter-robot comm support.
The scenario will take place in a 2m x 2m bordered surface.

Here are my questions, I'd be grateful if anyone of you could help me with answers.

1. what is the cheapest possible way of doing the communication (in the above conditions)? Can you recommend me anything?
For example I know bluetooth works seamless on ASURO and it's easy and reliable to transfer data, but it actually costs more than the kit itself + the USB IR.

2. could I use the provided IR transceiver? From what I read it can go as far as 50 cm...? I would need something guaranteed to work double that distance. I read that there could be upgrades to the interface to extend the reach of the transceivers.

Since the transceiver will be above the surface, I think I can say that the robots will always be within line of sight.

I must say that I'm just a little more than beginner in robotics and electronics (a fast learning one ) and that I will have to keep things as simple as possible regarding the "how to" of the communication since my main interest is actually for the java based software agents that will control the robot bodies. They will need to issue only basic commands (Fwd, Back, Turn Left / Right, Stop) and to receive some basic data from the robots (distance, sensor status, etc).

I look forward to your answers and I'd gladly answer any of your questions to make it easier helping me

Thanks and have a great day!

Cristi

Hi,

>what is the cheapest possible way...
I think, just use the existing transceiver and write your own Comport communication program in Java.

>From what I read it can go as far as 50 cm..
Actually it's the transmitter that limits the range.
The receiver works up to 30 meters according transceiver specifications but the power that is applied to the transmitters is limited. The typical working current for the transmitter is about 100mA. The Atmega8L output port only can produce 20mA max. You would need an extra transistor amplifier. The Transceiver NE555 output theoretically can generate 100mA when using a default power supply but power is retrieved from RS232 datasignals that are not intended to source big currents. An external power supply would help.

With default circumstances Asuro and Transceiver will work op to a few meters distance.

Regards,

Henk

Hello Henk,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
Once my kits will be shipped I will try myself to see how would this work. Hopefully I will get good results for 1.5m in radius.

Have a great evening,
Cristi