Adding Wifi To One Of My Existing Ez-b's

Question

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Good Morning EZ-B Robot Builders !

How much Code would be required to add WiFi to one of my existing EZ-B's ?

I still want to Maintain ALL the ARC Features, other than BlueTooth !

A most reliable friend guided me to the following Modules :

Roving Networks' RN-XV Wi-Fi Module 30025, https://solarbotics.com/product/30025/

SparkFun XBee Explorer Regulated 50828, https://solarbotics.com/product/50828/

Thank You All For The Consulting Services,

[email protected], 602-246-1246(H)

Robot Doc · Answer

Here's a URL to the WiFi that most EZ-Bers install: elechouse WiFi

DougPope · Answer

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Good Morning Robot-Doc & Thank You For The elechouse WiFi Link !

 The Elechouse Photo showing it connected to an Arduino suggests we simply unplug the Bluetooth transceiver from the EZ-B, and replace it with the TLG10UA03 embedded Uart-Wifi modules supplied by elechouse.

 Is it really Pin-For-Pin Compatible ?

 Looks GREAT ! Has anyone published the EZ-B Script or Code for it ?

Thank You, [email protected]

robotmaker · Answer

No code is needed works like the bluetooth module I am designing WIFI board to have both wireless and wired network

Robot Doc · Answer

Hi Doug, The WiFi board is not a pin for pin lineup with the existing header on the EZ-B. Some jumper wires will be needed to connect the Tx, Rx, Vcc, and Gnd leads.

robotmaker · Answer

I dont think any board ,like WIFI usb,or bluetooth is BEST idea is make adapter board,like the way DJ made for the older EZB with bluetooth

Robot Doc · Answer

The class 1 BlueSMiRF from Sparkfun has the correct pin for pin wiring when the header is soldered to the bluetooth and plugs directly into the EZ-B header.

pittom · Answer

I have been working on wifi for a long time and got it to work but super slow,i am waiting for @ROBOTMAKER to do some magic

robotmaker · Answer

I hope soon to work,mostly very good at wifi and wired,PITTOM what board do you have,

I love testing all types,one right getting to start on is adding network wired RJ45 to have both wired and wireless with auto switching,same idea going to use for bluetooth

pittom · Answer

wired network would be good to, I have elechouse WiFi

robotmaker · Answer

OK i ordered one about a week ago,from china cant add a wired network to it only

DougPope · Answer

After Midnight Thursday, 14 March 2013 Good Morning EZ-Robot.com Hardware Team ! Last week I received my ElecHouse UART-WiFi Kit, and got it Connecting to my Home Router with help from Robot-Doc, who led me to the TLG10UA03, ElecHouse UART-WiFi ! ElecHouse UART-WiFi I have attached my Screenshots and Test Procedure, "13-Mar-2013 ElecHouse WiFi UART Serial Terminal Loop-Back Test.doc", and my ARC File of the same name. I am using DJ's New Serial Terminal within ARC; seems to WORK GREAT, but I need to LEARN MORE on its proper use ? My Question is, Exactly Where Do I Loop-Back the WiFi Module; I tried Tx-to-Rx with No Success ? Thank You All & Best Wishes, DougPope@cox.net, 602-246-1246(H) 13-Mar-2013ElecHouseWiFiUARTSerialTerminalLoop-BackTest.zip 13-Mar-2013WiFiUARTSerialTerminalLoop-BackTest.EZB

robotmaker · Answer

DOUG ,your file in backtest zip doesnt open in wordpad or notepad need to check it

Rich · Answer

It's a word document that's why. The file opens perfectly fine.

DougPope · Answer

Thank You for the Quick Reply ! The File Name is : 13-Mar-2013 ElecHouse WiFi UART Serial Terminal Loop-Back Test.doc , and it is a Microsoft Word File. It also opens in OpenOffice & Libra. It is a file of ARC Screenshots using Serial Terminal to Test the TLG10UA03, ElecHouse UART-WiFi ! The Wireless Module shows up Immediately on my Router at Power-Up, COM8 only shows up in Device Manager when I plugin the Included USB-TTL Module. Serial Terminal requires a COMM Port to connect. Please look at my Screenshots that are in the order of Bootup, after the WiFi is Powered Up. We see it in the Router, 192.168.1.119, on its own Webpage https://192.168.1.119/, but only in Device Manager on COM8 when the USB-TTL Module is attached. Thank You For The Help & Support !

robotmaker · Answer

I dont use microsoft word,never had a reason to use it,only wordpad and says" unable to load graphics" wordpad cant load grapics only microsoft,but you can open microsoft word documents in wordpad only wont see grapics WHEN i get back from my work trip in 3 weeks about will check it out,looking to compare to another WIFI board and add WIRED networking to have both

robotmaker · Answer

PITTOM one reason you might be slow is because of the range of your WIFI router ,you need a WIFI booster is one way or if you have WIFI router can make it LINUX with special software and cpu processor in it faster software is called DD-WRT and its free and how to upgrade most WIFI modems MOST COMMON IS WRT54 ,i got about 25 to modify and sold many of them dd-wrt SOFTWARE

pittom · Answer

robotmaker i have test router that is sitting right next to me so nothing else is on it. Did you get it to work?

robotmaker · Answer

I am in china for about 2 to 3 weeks ,so i cant work on it till i get back

thetechguru · Answer

Doug, Do you have the device connected to your EZ-B board yet, or are you trying to test independently first? You won't have a comm port on your PC for it without virtual com port software. One of the other threads here has a link to a free one, but you don't need it for EZ-B. (the com port you are getting is from the USB TTL adapter used to configure the board, which I believe could also be used to provide a USB-TTL connection directly to an EZ-B - something I will need to test when I order my board). based on the configuration in your screen shots, in the EZ-B connection, rather than selecting a comm port, enter the IP address and port of the auto-work server and click connect, and you PC should connect right up to the EZ-B through the WiFi board (ie 192.168.1.119:8090) I haven't played with the serial terminal yet, so I don't know if it can also connect to the WiFi device the same way or if you really do need a virtual comm port for it. (and I am working now, so I can't experiment). You might be able to test using telnet (open a command prompt, type telenet 192.168.1.119 8090 [enter] and see if it connects and responds to the AT commands in the manual. Note: I am getting this from a post from DJ and reading the (rather poor) manual at elechous. I guess I should really go ahead and order one of these boards and get it figured out myself since every time someone asks a question we only seem to get half answers about it. I'll order and write a configuration doc/tutorial. Alan

thetechguru · Answer

Ouch.. Anyone know a US supplier of this kit? I really don't want to pay $30 in shipping on a $42 part. If not I'll need to see if I can find enough stuff to make the order over $100 to qualify for free shipping. If anyone else is looking for one of these, let me know and I can put together a group order and then do cheaper in country shipping once I receive them. Alan

robotmaker · Answer

EBAY has it for $46.70 plus $2.90 SHIPPING ELECHOUSE WIFI board on VIRTUAL PORT program i did find a free one that works with EZB and posted it,havent had a chance to test it on the elechouse WIFI board yet But will in about 2 weeks when i get back,looking to make my own tutorial on it and other WIFI boards i bought.

thetechguru · Answer

Thanks @Robotmaker. That essentially makes it the same price with $7 shipping, so much better (although I imagine slower). I'll see if anyone replies about my group order idea, and if not, I'll order from your link tonight. -- Edit... I stepped through the shopping cart a bit more, and I can do HK post to US post (same as the eBay order) for $6.70, so essentially the same either way. I'll still wait until this evening to see if anyone wants to do a group order before I buy. Alan

robotmaker · Answer

ON ebay its the same manufacturer,and where i am working is in shen zhen CHINA for 2 to 3 weeks ,but not shore if i can visit the elechouse plant,working 12 hours a day there teaching a tech to repair my equipment i design and made

thetechguru · Answer

Even if you could visit (which might be cool), I don't think you would want to try to bring stuff home. You would need to declare it at customs and might need to pay duty on it that could exceed the shipping depending on the mood of the customs agent. When I went to Japan on a business trip/vacation, I shipped a bunch of my stuff home before I started the vacation part so I wouldn't need to lug my business clothes and tools around the whole country. Big mistake. Got held up at Dulles Airport for three weeks, and I had to go in person to the customs office and fill out all kinds of paperwork swearing that everything in the box was stuff that I already owned and took to Japan with me. Huge pain. Alan

robotmaker · Answer

KINDA good news for me ,ican add it to my electronic stuff i need to bring and bring back,i have over 8 boxes of electronic parts and test equipment so the company i work for will declare it for me I dont have to declare anything

thetechguru · Answer

That's cool. If it is (or looks like) part of why you are over there, it makes it a lot easier. Alan

Robot Doc · Answer

The virtual serial port is called "HW Virtual Serial Port 3.1.2" and can be found using a search engine or just go HERE When going to access the ip address assigned by your router using port 8090 will connect you to the COMM side of the WiFi. Using the ip address and port 23 will connect you to the Config pages of the WiFi adapter.

robotmaker · Answer

YES thats the one i put up awhile back in the forum ,when someone else needed a good free virtual port IT works great

DougPope · Answer

Saturday, 16 March 2013 Good Morning ElecHouse UART-WiFi Folks ! Last week I received my ElecHouse UART-Wifi Kit, and got it Connecting to my Home Router with help from Robot-Doc, who led me to the TLG10UA03, by ElecHouse. Yesterday, he introduced me to the HW VSP (Virtual Serial Port). I have ATTACHED BOTH to this posting : UART-WiFitoVirtualCOMMPortCOM8.zip HWVSP(VirtualSerialPort).zip Please Notice The Port Initialization When ARC Serial Terminal Connects To COM8 ! This Init String is going to my iRobot Roomba; I get this far, BUT I have NO COM8 ROOMBA Control ? COMM8 Init @ Serial Terminal ON.txt 2 STX Start Of Text 8 BS Backspace 63 ? 63 ? 3 ETX End Of Text 1 SOH Start Of Heading 63 ? 63 ? 4 EOT End Of Transmission 1 SOH Start Of Heading 63 ? 63 ? 5 ENQ Enquiry 1 SOH Start Of Heading 63 ? 63 ? Thank You All & Best Wishes, DougPope@cox.net, 602-246-1246(H)

thetechguru · Answer

I missed that you were trying to connect to a Roomba. I spent a lot of time talking about replacing Bluetooth. Hopefully will help others. I ordered my WiFi board last night, and if it gets here before the 25th when I start a week "staycation" I will connect to my EZ-B and write a comprehensive instruction guide or tutorial before the first week of April (after that I can't promise timing, but I should be able to find a few hours before too long). Alan

DougPope · Answer

NOON Thursday, 21 March 2013 Good Afternoon EZ-Robot.com Hardware Team ! Last week I received my ElecHouse UART-WiFi Kit, and got it Connecting to my Home Router with help from Robot-Doc, who led me to the TLG10UA03, ElecHouse UART-WiFi ! ElecHouse UART-WiFi This morning, Robot-Doc talked me through the ElecHouse UART-WiFi Test Proceedure, and guess what, IT Now Works ! You can make something Fool Proof, but you can never make it DAMN FOOL PROOF ! The Proceedure : 1-Applied 3.3 Volts to the UART-WiFi from Pins on the EZ-B. 2-Using Internet Explorer I immediately Logged In to its Local Router WebPage at its Default IP Address of 192.168.1.119. 3-On its WebPage, Robot-Doc had me set the Default Baud Rate to Roomba's 57600, and Save It. 4-I then Enabled HW Virtual Serial Port to COM8, and Verified its presence in Device Manager. 5-I opened ARC's Serial Terminal to COM1 and using iRobot Create's DB-9 to Roomba Cable, I started receiving Roomba Battery Charging Data when I plugged the Roomba Charger directly into its side Charging Port. 6-I then disconnected ARC's Serial Terminal from COM1, and connected the UART-WiFi's Serial Cable to the Roomba. 7-Setting ARC's Serial Terminal to COM8, GOT ME LOTS OF ROOMBA BATTERY DATA, WIRELESSLY ! 8-THANK YOU ROBOT-DOC ! DougPope@cox.net, 602-246-1246(H)

robotmaker · Answer

THATS the same i got before i left on my trip2 weeks ago .my WIFI works perfect I just read the data on it and work out what was needed to get it to work and thats it. BUTyou do have to take it out of transparent mode before it will work on some of them at least mine .

Robot Doc · Answer

Glad to read that you got your WiFi board to work via your EZ-B and Roomba.

pittom · Answer

Glad to hear you got it to work.Still having problems getting it to work with EZ-B but was looking at xbee for one of my other projects and might try it with EZ-B

robotmaker · Answer

PITTOM whats wrong with yours,it works very easy I got mine working on the first try.

robotmaker · Answer

Also i am about a hour away from the elechouse company where they make them in china So i guess i can call them for help. BUT i can also solve anything and WIFI is easy for me.

pittom · Answer

@robotmaker i get wifi to connect but if my hole program is up ezb locks up until i disconnect ezb(robot) then computer is unlocked. BUT if i have 2 battery monitors up on ezb it does not lockup pc. this is the error i get when main program is up Attempting connection on COM7 Connected to COM7 at 9600 EZ-B reports EZ-B Firmware V25.5 Connected Disgard incoming buffer (This should never happen) my pc is 10 inch aspire one 1.60ghz 2gb of ram

Rich · Answer

Firmware v25.5? Current firmware is v16.

pittom · Answer

ok will try update

robotmaker · Answer

I think because you have a slow computer,i have at home a ASUS laptop with 1.6 mhz and 2 gig ram and it did lock up on other programs I dont have EZB builder installed in it ,but in 7 days to 8 days when i return will try it for you.

Rich · Answer

The Aspire one is a popular netbook for ARC and it should run fine. I'm not 100% sure what's up with your EZB firmware version number, if it's something to do with the WiFi or something else but the current version is V16. Running the firmware update tool wouldn't be a bad idea. Edit: It may be your project too. Have you tried it with a new, empty project? And have you carried out a benchmark on it? If you have a lot of GetADC or ADC controls it can cause slowdown, benchmark will tell you how many reads of the ADC you can do per second, if you are exceeding that you may be saturating the communications. Reading the ADC can also be heavy on system resources if you do too many too often.

robotmaker · Answer

PiTTOM i will test it to make shore ,also speed depends on what you have running on it. PITTOM what programs besides ARC do you have running on your computer. ALSO without connection to ARC there is info at the top of it that show the date and version ,also help tab and click on about will tell you date and version of it.

robotmaker · Answer

also looking at EZ-SDK its at version 29 ,so may be it a conflict with EZ-SDK software why he is reading version 25

pittom · Answer

I updated EZB firmware version V16 still slow and i don't know how to benchmark. With a new project and only a few things on it runs fast. I only have EZB and HW Virtual Serial Port even turned off all security on computer. I thought WiFi is faster then Bluetooth?

Rich · Answer

To run a benchmark Add a control Benchmark is just here  Once added, with the board connected click on the button "read 200 ADC from ADC0"  Wait... Get your result. You'll also notice it shows CPU usage and memory. Run a benchmark and post a screenshot if you are unsure about the result. (Alt & Printscreen copies the screen to clipboard, open paint, paste, save, post here)

Rich · Answer

It'll also pay to post info on your connection information on the WiFi, settings etc. It could well be a networking issue. WiFi is faster than bluetooth but only if you have a good connection set up. If you are getting poor wifi signal or if there are errors in the settings you will get a bad connection that only seems as if it's connected properly when in reality it isn't.

pittom · Answer

Rich thanks so much i will do and post it tomorrow

robotmaker · Answer

PITTOM on the WIFI how many bars are you getting that will tell you how strong the signal is. ITS in network places under WIFI connection Also on the bottom right hand corner of your computer screen next to time.

Rich · Answer

I probably won't be around much this weekend but will respond when I can. I'll dig out the info on a good freeware network scanner/checker in the morning which will give much better and clearer details on any network issues you may have than windows will ever give you (FYI hover the mouse over the network icon by the clock and it'll tell you speed and strength). If you use team viewer id be happy to take a peek if you're really stuck.

robotmaker · Answer

here is 2 i have for scanning networks and WIFI WIFI SCANNER netscan.zip NETWORK scanner zip file there are others ,but i use these and work great

robotmaker · Answer

Download the WIFI scanner it tells you everything about your WIFI and range and more and others that are running.

Metealp97 · Answer

hi all, can somebody please make a video on how to install wireless to ez-b or a really detailed instructions with pictures for dummies please it seem to complicated for me i need a step by step guide, thanks

Rich · Answer

If you have an android tablet or smartphone get yourself a copy of fing. It's great for checking out your network. In it you will be able to check the services running and ping any client connected to your network, this will indicate if it's a networking issue if the ping to the WiFi board is high. Always be careful what you download, more so if it's within a zip and not from the developers website direct. Malware is found in around 90% of files like that. The last thing you want is to have to clean up after a parasite. Here are a couple of ping tests I just carried out on my network, one is to a Linux box connected via wifi with a bunch of services running the other to my router. Ping of around 5ms is what you are looking for.   If you are getting a ping much higher than that then it is indicating there is a problem with the connection and you will need to check out all settings on both the router and on the wifi module. Check which services are running on the laptop too, this could indicate what the problems are. Otherwise, I would say that you have a problem with the module itself. Again check all settings are correct. I recall you were having problems with setting it up correctly in the first place so it is not out of the question that it's been set up incorrectly. Also check that all routes to and from the wifi module are open and working. Ensure that Windows is not blocking anything through the firewall, that no antivirus is blocking anything and that you don't have any viruses or malware causing the issue. If you still have problems as I said I would happily help you over TeamViewer or similar, I have a wealth of experience (and qualifications) in networking and I'm sure it's something simple that's not been set up correctly initially.

robotmaker · Answer

pittom also save the data and have anyone look at it to see what problem you have. YES i check the WIFI SCANNER AND IT HAS NO MALWARE or virus IT DOES DOES MANY CHECKS and has graph And can save or print the data ,its a small file for all versions of windows ,plus the site has alot more scanners and tools. I have used it for while on all my computers

robotmaker · Answer

Also on malware and virus on downloading a file,its always good to check it with NORTON or good virus detection program before you open it or install it,some have a hidden virus

robotmaker · Answer

METEALP97 I can easy make a video only i am on a work trip for 1 week more. HOPE somebuddy else will make a video,its not too hard and should take to long

Metealp97 · Answer

robotmaker i ordered wifi module today so i should be getting it in a week so after your work trip please make a video

thetechguru · Answer

I have one on the way, unfortunately there was an error by the shipper so it didn't arrive before I started vacation and is being delivered to my work address, so i won't have it until after April 3rd. Once I have it I will be posting a tutorial. Alan

thetechguru · Answer

@robotmaker I hate to need to disagree, but Norton is currently one of the worst choices for anti-virus. AVG or Microsoft Security Essentials are both better and cheaper (free) Alan

Rich · Answer

Alan is correct. 2012 reports show Norton only picking up 92% of viruses (and letting around 1.8 million viruses through). It also flags up a lot of things as viruses when they are not which only causes problems. To top it off it can render a system totally useless when it takes over the boot sector and refuses to boot due to false positives. That's just the AV, Internet Security is even worse and can often just randomly stop allowing the internet to work, email accounts to work etc. It's considered as bad as a virus in many circles. But we digress. I've also ordered one yesterday, I'm hoping it turns up next week as I have the week after off work and can look in to how to get it installed and working. 5 minds are better than one and all that.

Bravia · Answer

On Antivirus I use Pandasoftware its excellent ,very easy to install,remove or re-install Download and try for 30 days free

robotmaker · Answer

I guess i didnt say this this but i dont really like norton,my favorate is AVG and not the free version,i boght the pro,but on my other computers i use AVG free version ,mostly because i dont want to buy them for my 9 computers i have in my home network. I KEEP TELLING my dad to get rid of norton,i have only one till it runs out then i dont want it any more. Another one i tried is kaspersky its all free . NOT also good to remove anti-virus software and then re-install each time,it leavespart of the software and has update problems. WITH free software like AVG witch i always see it one of the best anti-virus programs. another i heard it good is kasperspy and its free too Only used NORTON as a example only in my post

kbb0118 · Answer

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I hope this group is still around and maybe can help with my Elechouse UART Wifi issue over here? https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/5310

DougPope

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