Change Release Notes
This release is minor and the update focus is on the EZ-Script i2c read/write commands. The i2c is normally a confusing protocol due to the addressing issues. I have created the i2c commands in EZ-Script to figure out all addressing conversion for you
Click here to read about i2c: https://www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/posts.aspx?threadId=322
Click here to locate the i2c port on your EZ-B: https://www.ez-robot.com/Tutorials/Hardware.aspx
For example, the confusion behind the i2c addressing lies in shifting the 7 bit address into an 8 bit address, and setting the LSB to 0 or 1 depending on the direction of the data. Does that sound confusing? Good, because you do not need to worry about any of that with ARC!
If you communicating with an i2c device (for example an Arduino or Compass, etc) - you may be given one of many address types....
Quote:
Device Address: 0xa0or
Device Address: 0x50
or
Device Read Address: 0x50 Device Write Address: 0x51
The above list of addresses are all the same - surprisingly. In any other environment, you would need to understand how they are the same to know how to use them. You would need to convert between 7 bit and 8 bit of 0xa0 to 0x50. You would then also need to convert the 0x50 to 0x51. Wow, so confusing! Well, ARC makes it easy.
In fact, you can use ANY i2c device address - without needing to format or convert the bytes. ARC will figure it out for you You simply connect the device to your i2c port, read the manual to find the i2c address, and enter it in ARC's EZ-Script i2cWrite() or i2cRead() commands.
- Release() fix
- i2cWrite() and i2cRead() do not need device address conversion
- Change tracking color by ControlCommand(). See below example
Tracking Color Change Command
ControlCommand("Camera", CameraColorTracking, "Red" )
or
ControlCommand("Camera", CameraColorTrackingEnable, "Blue" )
ARC Downloads
ARC
FREE- 1 third-party plugin skill per project
- Trial cloud services
- Personal, DIY & education use
- Updated every 6–12 months
ARC
PRO- Use on 2+ PCs simultaneously
- Unlimited robot skills
- Cloud backup & revision history
- Weekly features & bug fixes
- Business use permitted
ARC
RUNTIME- Load & run any ARC project
- Read-only mode
- Unlimited robot skills
- Includes early access fixes & features
- Minimum requirements: Windows 10 or higher, 2 GB RAM, 500 MB free disk space.
- Recommended: Windows 10 or higher, 8 GB RAM, 1 GB free disk space.
- Prices are in USD.
- More about each edition: Download & install guide.
- Latest changes: Release notes.
Compare Editions
| Feature |
ARC
FREE
|
ARC
PRO
|
|---|---|---|
| Get ARC Free | View Plans | |
| Usage | Personal · DIY · Education | Personal · DIY · Education · Business |
| Early access to new features & fixes | — | ✓ |
| Simultaneous microcontroller connections * | 1 | 255 |
| Robot skills * | 20 | Unlimited |
| Skill Store plugins * | 1 | Unlimited |
| Cognitive services usage ** | 10 / day | 6,000 / day |
| Auto-positions gait actions * | 40 | Unlimited |
| Speech recognition phrases * | 10 | Unlimited |
| Camera devices * | 1 | Unlimited |
| Vision resolution | max 320×240 | Unlimited |
| Interface builder * | 2 | Unlimited |
| Cloud project size | — | 128 MB |
| Cloud project revision history | — | ✓ |
| Create Exosphere requests | — | 50 / month |
| Exosphere API access | — | Contact Us |
| Volume license discounts | — | Contact Us |
| Get ARC Free | View Plans |
* Per robot project
** 1,000 per cognitive type: vision recognition, speech recognition, face detection, sentiment, text recognition, emotion detection, azure text to speech
Upgrade to ARC Pro
Elevate your robot's capabilities to the next level with Synthiam ARC Pro, unlocking a world of possibilities in robot programming.

All valuable information,which Ive book marked, amongst dozens of others. Thanks robotmaker and DJ....it seems the thread has "drifted" off the "release" topic , but thats ok..it keeps me checking and saving pertinent threads
Dave check out usdigital.com they have so many encoders all types,i am looking to get the small one they make thats what makes pot not so great DRIFTING and accuracy
You need both in real good PID and navigation.
Hall effects and OPTICAL encoders dont drift and very high accuracy.
ADC analog pots are mostly for servo's ,because drift and accuracy not important if you do research on it will found out why ADC pots not good for PID control or navigation.
another item about ADC pots the range is same as a magnetic encoder with ADC output so thay are about the same only no drifting and accuracy little higher Second you need a very stable 5 volt source or more drifting on magnetics doesnt need to be stable
ABOUT optical encoders if you do a formula on the size of the wheel and CPR of the encoder you can find how much it travels from start to end,and higher the CPR higher the accuracy of feet traveled and same with left turn or right or backwards and using a grid map for navigation
Again, encoders should not be considered for your applied use. Counting the number of ticks will not be an accurate and reliable method of custom positioning. Use analog variable resistors (pots) and the ADC port.
Good luck!
Spend a few minutes thinking about it and you'll Eureka to the reason why encoders are not designed for positioning.
I'm sold DJ. I've seen it in action on my nattering ninny. I'm truly amazed how much control I can have with speed and positioning with pots and EZ-B.
Don't forget to share your POT code in the new EZ-Script section. I know many would benefit from it
DJ i guess magnetic encoders can be use in the ADC PORT TOO
And will you have a module to read optica encoders,i would think is very easy to read PWM like the way sonars do using the echo port
Accuracy of a pot is about 2-3 bits unless you go to a higher price of a multiturn then looking at 5 bits accuracy of magentic encoder is 10 bits and can get them up to 14 bits
Voltage output on both are the same ,both put out 0-5 volts level and both are connected to the wheel so better replacement to pot is magnetic encoder,since they really do the same not really counting the ticks on a magnetic encoder
here is some info off the site usdigital that mostly makes encoders
Analog output provides an analog voltage that is proportional to the absolute shaft position. Analog output is only available in 10-bit resolution.
and some info on tracking ,there are 2 types of encoders one is absolute and other is incremental
Position Control When controlling robotic end effector's position, absolute encoders are the preferred solution. US Digital absolute encoders are unique in the market as they offer high performance without the complicated communication protocols normally associated with absolute encoders. The compact size of the miniature magnetic MA3 encoder means that absolute encoders can be used in creative and tight spaces; the designer no longer needs specialized hardware or software to interact with the encoder, opening up a new world of possibilities.