
MathProf
USA
Asked
— Edited
Suppose I have a room with multiple PCs, each running ARC each attempting to connect to its own EZ-B. What's the effective max number of PC/EZ-Builder/EZ-B connections. Does this boil down to the max number of frequencies available for the wireless connection, or to the number of IP addresses available, or neither?
Also, is wireless connection required? Can I direct connect from PC to EZ-B?
Ron
The EZ-B can only connect over WiFi, and you cannot connect directly from a PC.
In regards to how many can you connect, each EZ-B has its own IP address. So if you connected via AP mode (computer to EZ-B directly) with each EZ-B having its own dedicated PC running ARC, then the amount you can connect potentially limitless.
If connecting via "Client Mode" (EZ-B to PC via router), again the number would be high but I think it would depend on how many simultaneous connections the router could handle at any one time.
And you can connect up to 255 EZ-B's to a single instance of ARC from one computer.
Hope that helps.
Only thing is that the LAN connection can not be in the 192.168.1.x subnet or it won't be able to communicate to both the EZ-B and network at the same time.
Alan
Awesome!
If I understood your post above, each EZ-B should be running in AP mode, is that correct? That would ensure that each EZ-B would be talking to its own PC. But now I'm wondering about having 25 pairs of devices transmitting wireless packets in such a lab environment. Although any particular EZ-B would only respond internally to its partner PC, wouldn't each EZ-B need to read and examine each and every packet transmitted by the other 48 devices in the lab? If so, wouldn't it be possible for all devices to reach a saturation point, maybe not with 25 pairs, but more?
What I'm seeing is that the EZ-B and JD humanoid head combination is great for prototyping. However, if indeed the final product requires an expressive humanoid head in fixed position, then a hardwire connect between the head and PC, for both signal and power would be the best approach. Also, the design of the controller board would not need to be so complex as we are only dealing with a robot from the neck up . . . well, lot's to think about here.
Ron
So, as I understand it, DJ is awaiting a response from the manufacturer of the tcp stack that is licensed for the EZ-B wifi modules. Is that correct?
Ron
Interestingly, the old EZ-B v3 that used Bluetooth was easy ti convert to hardwired USB, but it ran at comm port speeds, so no built in video (although that might not actually be an issue in your environment. You could have videeo in the monitor rather than the JD head).
I don't want to push you away from an EZ-B solution, but have you considered a software avatar rather than a physical robotic interface? (to see what I mean, go to Amtrak.com and use the "Ask Julie" tool).
Alan
Alan