
clintard

Is there a way to set the ez-b to automatically reconnect to wifi after the wifi drops out itself?
For example, im using my 4GLTE hotspot from my phone for internet on my laptop and i have the Ez-b connected in client mode. When a call comes in or i turn the wifi off and then back on, i regain connection to my laptop but i have to cycle the ez-b to get it to reconnect again.
Hopefully this is simple as i plan to use 4GLTE connection primarily with my rover
Alan
I know at least one use did a hardware solution using a radio controlled switch that they could cycle with a pocket keyfob device, but that's kind of ugly for something that should be doable in firmware.
Alan
I think it would be fairly easy to modify, but I don't know if I will have time this weekend to try. Certainly sometime in the next week or so though.
If I get it working, we can discuss how to best get you updated.
Alan
I have an ez-b v4 in my basement that has been online connected in client mode since Friday March 17th (that's 7 days).
This option can be added to the ez-b v4.x/2 in a firmware update.
If you are sure it won't work I don't want to waste time trying to figure it out, but it looks doable.
Alan
I share your pain... for different reasons (Wifi Saturation/Interferences)
you can change/adjust the following parameters (Diagnostics Menu):
Retry Attempts:
Retry Interval:
I forgot to mention those options do not exist in the EZB Diagnostic screen.
Basically it's a firmware customization, check this post:
http://synthiam.com/Products/ARC
unfortunately to upload a custom firmware, you will need to solder some pins to your EZB and cut some plastic and it will void the warranty (i presume).
Do you have the bgscript and/or web pages for that customozation? That ia exactly what I was talking about making.
Alan
good to know that, but how the contact is made, is the process safe in case of a pin disconnect like firmware corruption ?
yes i need to do some code cleaning up regarding jekyll & hide customization (3 parameter) and i can share that (github).
Only to be on the safe site, does upgrading a new firmware voids the warranty ?
I've wanted to buy on of those pickit 3's for a while now, so i just did
My rover is going to have a pi3 onboard running a HD video feed. Is it possible to have the rpi3 cycle the ez-b?
If you guys figure out how to get ez-b to auto reconnect through firmware that sounds the most legit to me.
Thanks for the help!
You could connect a relay board to one of the gpio of the rpi an use it as a power switch for the EZ-B.
Alan
"There's more than one way to skin a cat.".
Alan's suggestion is "warranty safe".
if you voided the warranty and you have the programming pins installed (pickit), the pin number 1 (Arrow) is the MCLR.
MCLR has an internal pull-up connected to 3.3v, applying GND you will get a restart, applying 3.3v (does nothing).
you can connect to RPI or other 3.3v device and with a single wire and a common ground you will have a software restart.
Nice find.
Alan
But that of course requires the WiFi connection to be up, and this discussion is how to re-initialize when WiFi has been lost. The idea of using the Raspberry Pi that he will already have on board and that will automatically re-establish its WiFi to physically reset the EZ-B so that it regains WiFi is a good one if we can't figure out how to modify the reset behavior in bgscript (although it looks like @PTP is already there, and I am close to having it figured out).
My idea of controlling power to the EZ-B with a relay driven by the RPI could also allow for shutdown when the battery is low, important for an unattended robot running LiPos that you don't want to ever run out. You could use the UART to have the EZ-B tell the RPI that the battery is dangerously low, have the RPI shut off the EZ-B and then power itself down (actually, the RPI can just safely halt the operating system, but will still be drawing power. Unattended robots probably should not use LiPos....).
Alan
1) The loop checks the battery voltage on an ADC port and disables a relay when the power is below the threshold
2) The loop checks the status of the green pin of the ez-b to see if wifi is connected - if not, cycle the power via the relay. Use one of those 2 or 4 pack relay pcb's that we used for Bimbo The Clown - jeremie posted the link to the relay in one of the threads.
Code:
Firmware source & download page:
https://github.com/ppedro74/ez-robot-bluegiga-firmware
@alan, you can also look at this thread which rich had created a real simple circuit if you don't want to bother with an arduino, to save even more energy: https://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/posts.aspx?threadId=3415
Alan
@Clintart_Leanard Where are you located? If you are in the DC/Baltimore megalopolis you can borrow my PIKIT if you don't want to wait for yours to arrive.
Alan
When i start putting this thing together i will start a Robot Showcase to show my trial and error, and i may make some youtube videos as well. I have all the parts, just need to find the time to sit down and do it, so be patient with me
PTP, you may have done this. I haven't looked at the code you posted.
Thats the plan. Im using an xbox 360 wireless controller with the ARC software to not only drive the robot but to run the arm. The RPI3 has no other use right now than an HD video feed.