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Difference between revisions of "Vorpal The Hexapod: Flashing The Arduino Code"

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(Created page with "This guide has information on installing and using the Arduino IDE to flash new versions of firmware on the Vorpal Hexapod and gamepad. This guide does not assume you are fami...")
 
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==Downloading the Arduino IDE==
 
==Downloading the Arduino IDE==
  
You can download the Arduino IDE from [http://www.arduino.cc the Arduino Project Website]. It's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download the version for your system and follow the instructions to install it.
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You can download the Arduino IDE from [https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software the Arduino Project Website Downloads Page]. It's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download the version for your system and follow the instructions to install it.
  
 
==Downloading the Hexapod Arduino Code==
 
==Downloading the Hexapod Arduino Code==

Revision as of 22:16, 29 May 2018

This guide has information on installing and using the Arduino IDE to flash new versions of firmware on the Vorpal Hexapod and gamepad. This guide does not assume you are familiar with Arduino programming, and it provides a step by step cookbook approach. To further explore Arduino, please see educational materials on the web, including at the Arduino website, youtube.com, and other sources.

Downloading the Arduino IDE

You can download the Arduino IDE from the Arduino Project Website Downloads Page. It's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download the version for your system and follow the instructions to install it.

Downloading the Hexapod Arduino Code

The code is available on Github (search for Vorpal Hexapod and it pops right up), but for convenience we have stored the current tested and released version in a shared dropbox folder here:

Download all the files and folders to your local hard drive before continuing.

Installing Required Libraries

The Hexapod project code requires two libraries that are maintained by other organizations, these are both open source are free:

  • Adafruit Servo PWM Driver Library
  • Pixy Camera Library

The versions we have tested with the current release are both in the shared dropbox folder referenced above. You may also go directly to the project pages for those projects if desired.

To install the libraries follow these steps:

  1. Open the Arduino IDE that you previously installed.
  2. Click on the menu SKETCH, select INCLUDE LIBRARY. Then select ADD .ZIP LIBRARY.
  3. Browse in the downloaded folder named LIBRARIES and select the Adafruit Servo Library. Then, repeat for the Pixie library.

After this, click on the menu SKETCH, choose INCLUDE LIBRARY, and confirm that you see the Adafruit Servo PWM Driver Library and the Pixy library listed there.

Installing Drivers for the CHG34x USB Serial Chip

This step is only required for MAC operating systems, and only if you plan on flashing the robot. The Nano we use on the robot has a serial port that requires the CHG34x driver on Mac operating systems. On Windows and Linux, this driver is almost always installed by default. Just be sure you have a live Internet connection before plugging the USB cord into the Nano on the robot in case Windows needs to find the driver online.

For MAC, see the DRIVERS folder in the shared dropbox link shown above. Follow the instructions in the folder.

Flashing Code on the Gamepad

Flashing Code on the Robot