User:Vishalnelsonmj/ENES-100/project 3

=Week 1 Narrative= The starting points for lego mindstorms nxt were got from some youtube videos.I switched to camtasia screen capture software by TechSmith. It is a open software. I got a free 30 day trial. It allows realtime capture of the screen and the world around it side by side.The tutorials for camtasia Tutorial.My camtasia video
 * 1) The mindstorm I got was a Lego Tribot. There is a different functions page for the Lego Tribot in labview.


 * 1) Encountered the problem of connecting labview to iRobot Create.Tried various options to connect iRobot to Labview.
 * Option 1: Searched for a USB cable to get connecting to iRobot Create.I couldn't find a any USB port in the iRobot Create to connect to my laptop.
 * Option 2: Connecting the iRobot using the parallel port in iRobot Create to my laptop. Couldn't find any suitable cable in HCC lab connecting DB-25 parallel port to USB plug in my laptop. The parallel port is 1980's technology. It is hard to find a cable that connects parallel port to my laptop.
 * Option 3: Wireless command. I don't know whether the wireless command is possible like the Roomba.I googled it in.I found some awesome results.
 * 1) Prof.Fabian Winkler of Purdue University created a page on how to do itWireless cmd. I didn't understand any of those stuff.
 * 2) Went to iRobot Customer Care webpage. Typed in my question. I haven't got a reply. It was also failed.
 * 3) Tried whether there is a WiFi hook up for the iRobot Create like in the AR Drone. It also failed.

Result: Couldn't get the iRobot hooked up with LabView. Next Steps: Try the labview program on iRobot after getting it hooked to labview.


 * 10/10/20 ... two connection mechanisms ... two "comptuers" inside to program ... one should be USB ... not sure you investigated this enough ... --1sfoerster (discuss • contribs) 15:58, 29 April 2014 (UTC)

=Week 4 Narrative=
 * 0/0/0 nothing to grade ... --1sfoerster (discuss • contribs) 13:35, 6 May 2014 (UTC)

=Week 5 Narrative=


 * The lego NXT brick that I got to work with labview is not functioning.
 * The problem is with the display of the NXT screen. Here is theproblem
 * The screen is flickering.Here is a youtubevideo on how to fix the display.
 * It requires some tools to fix it.
 * Lego service websites replacement for non-functioning parts.


 * The wall sensors used to restrict the iRobot's movement work perfectly.
 * The iRobot create has got command module.
 * How to go about the command module is in hereGetting Started
 * Getting the command module hooked up to the laptop.Steps

Problem

 * 1) I couldn't get the iRobot detected in my laptop.
 * A window popped up installing the necessary files into my computer and it then disappeared.
 * The iRobot wizard didn't pop up. The installation of the iRobot into my laptop got stuck.
 * 1) I tried connecting the iRobot to laptop without using the command module. The usb cable  that connected the parallel port of the iRobot is a usb2.0 version.
 * My laptop is usb3.0 version and an error popped up saying it is not compatible.
 * The ways to make it compatible are costly.Compatibility
 * 1) I tried connecting iRobot directly to command module using a usb cable[Pic 1]. It showed signs of hooking up with my laptop. It showed up in the Devices and Drivers list.
 * I followed these links to get it fixed.Manual.
 * This link by Columbia University is useful.Connection I couldn't further go into the site because i am not a student at their institution.

Solution

 * I figured that without WinAvr[ the wizard used to install command module] popping up, it is not possible to program the iRobot.
 * Usually a Disc is provided for installing the programming stuff along with the iRobot.


 * The labview program detected the iRobot Create in COM7 usb port where it was connected.Here is what happened.Block Diagram
 * I connected the irobot using the irobot connector[not the command module].
 * The iRobot did not respond to it.
 * I tried connecting the iRobot using the command module but labview showed error.

Solution

 * The iRobot didn't move could be because the usb 2.0 port is not compatible with my usb3.0.It is also there the driver update for FT232R uart usb of irobot when connecting through the command module costs money for updation by windows. Looking for a free source to install the driver.


 * The usb port showed a driver FT232R uart usb.
 * googled it and follwed this link
 * The link started a installation process on the driver.
 * the installation was succesful.
 * No errors found during the troubleshoot.
 * Still the driver is located in the unspecified region.
 * iRobot is not detected in my laptop.
 * the WinAvr, the wizard for irobot installation was installed.
 * Still couldn't get the irbot working.


 * 10/10/20 ... I found the software to download here in my first try. What am I doing that you are not doing? --1sfoerster (discuss • contribs) 00:22, 14 May 2014 (UTC)

=Solution=
 * There should be an interface that will connect the iRobot create to laptop via usb.