RP6 ROBOT SYSTEM - 3. RobotLoader 2
3.3.2. PC configuration
The computer on which you use RobotLoader must be configured according to the ac-
cess point / router settings. It is recommended to use static IP addresses. Configure
subnet masks and eventually the gateway accordingly (router IP; this must not neces-
sarily be the access point but may also be a second separate router for the internet
connection). It is impossible to explain this for all operating systems and network con-
figurations in this manual but it is generally very well documented.
It can look similar to the figure of the WLAN configuration dialog, e.g. netmask
255.255.255.0, IP 192.168.10.x (x = 1 to 254, but not 255, because that would be
the broadcast address!), ...
If possible, test the WLAN connection with another device before you try it with the
RP6-M256. Notebooks, tablets or smartphones with WLAN function are perfect for this
purpose. If it works with one of these, you can setup the RP6-M256 accordingly.
3.3.3. Test of RP6-M256 USB Connection and Display
Now you can test and configure the RP6-M256.
First check if the ISP / BOOT jumper (small 3 pin connector between the
XBUS and PROG / UART connectors) is set to position BOOT (i.e. the position
at the edge of the PCB). If this is not the case, it will not work because the
reset signal can't be triggered.
Now connect the USB interface on the PC to the PROG/UART connector on the RP6-
M256 via the 10-pin ribbon cable and start the RobotLoader. Turn the robot on. If you
have an LCD, a text message should be displayed. The status LEDs should flash (WL1-
3 are driven by the WLAN module and SL1-4 by the microcontroller. This means that
several red, green and yellow LEDs should flash several times just after power on). If
this worked, click on “Connect” in the Serial Loader tab of the RobotLoader – a mes-
sage like “Connected to RP6 Control” should appear in the status box.
Please note: Do
not
mix up the SERIAL loader used for this test, with the WIFI Load-
er! At this stage it can't work with the WIFI Loader as the WLAN module hasn't been
configured, yet.
If the display is blank or shows only two lines of com-
pletely dark boxes but the LEDs are flashing and the
connection with the RobotLoader works, you must set
the contrast of the display (or you have used a different
display and the pin assignment is wrong.... Switch the
robot off immediately and check the connection). Set the
contrast with potentiometer R1 on the PCB via a small
flat head screwdriver. Cross-head works as well but
might be more difficult as they don't fit properly into the
potentiometer.
Remove the ribbon cable of the experiment module (if
installed) to get better access to the potentiometer.
3.3.4. Configuration and Test of the WLAN Module
Once the first test has been done, you can immediately start with the WLAN configur-
ation dialog: Menu
Options → WiFi SERIAL Config → Configure WiFi Settings
.
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