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Lack of Serial Ports

Posted by Will Coffey on March 16, 2010 at 10:34pm
Hi guys,

I finally have my IMU up and running and outputting all the data I could ever possible want at 50Hz. The next step for me is the autopilot side of things. Currently the IMU outputs its data over standard UART. This means that my other micro (Arduino nano) must have at least 1 UART which it does. The problem is that I require long distance two way communication and I also want to design around a Spektrum satellite receiver which also communicates over a serial interface. This means that I need to find an extra 2 UARTS somewhere.

My options:

- I have been looking at using either the Mbed micro (M3 Cortex core)
----Dont like the online compiler idea
----Do like the easy drag and drop programming
----Do like the support and community
----LOVE the form factor (45 x 25 mm)
----More expensive at around $80


- I have been looking at Xduino which is also M3Cortex (cant seem to get in touch with the guy there)
----Seems to be a lack of support
----Costs only 24USD


-Was hoping to find an I2C chip which would give me access to extra UART ports....Cant find one :(

I just wanted to know if you guys had any thoughts or alternatives to those I have proposed. I realize that the new ardupilot is coming out and will fix this problem but I am keen on using my own hardware. 

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Replies

  • Will Coffey March 18, 2010 at 5:38pm
    Hey guys, been away from the computer for a while. Thanks for your input. Ive decided to order in an ET-STM32 Stamp micro. I realise that I could go with the Mega but this micro comes with 16 12Bit ADC's,a few DAC's, 5 USARTS and heaps of other stuff that was too nice to pass up. The Stamp is based around the STM32F103 micro-controller which sports an M3 Cortex core (can be found at futurlec.com) I have the free Xduino libraries which allow you to program this chip in an 'Arduino-like' fashion. However I have no Xduino IDE (have to contact him to get this and he hasn't responded). The next step is to implement the libraries and get them onto the board. I have absolutely no experience programming with anything other than Arduino so this might be a task. I will be using the following:

    - IAR kickstart edition (Will use this to compile the code)
    - Still have to find something to get it onto the board. The board has a serial bootloader and I think comes with software to do this. I just have to make sure IAR will compile to the right format (BIN or HEX).

    Cheers guys, Ill let you know how I go when I get the boards.

    Will
  • Marc Daniels March 17, 2010 at 7:39am
    Ardupilot Mega? 4 UARTS. Have mine working with ArduIMU, XBee and OpenLog with no probs.
  • Petr Hubacek March 17, 2010 at 6:45am
    Try Pete Burnight's existing code for ardupilot and 2nd Arduino mini. Look at his post: "I2c GPS frees up Serial Port". http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/i2c-gps-frees-up-serial-port
    Good inspiration and good luck
    Petr
  • Jacob March 17, 2010 at 2:20am
    What about using I2C between the arduinoes? The ArduIMU already has the wire.h library installed. No clue if it will work
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