RP6 ROBOT SYSTEM - 1. The RP6v2 M256 WIFI Expansion Module
The RP6-M256 module offers more than 60 free 5V I/O pins (+6 on the XBUS con-
nectors and +2 on the UART connector, i.e. up to a total of 68) on easy to use
2.54mm grid connectors. These feature a multitude of alternate functions like 16x A/D
converter channels, 12x hardware PWM outputs (e.g. for servo motors, dimmable LED
searchlights, piezo buzzers and others), one 8-bit display port, 2x USART/SPI ports,
22x external interrupts, 4x timer capture inputs, one analog comparator, I2C bus,
USART and one ISP programming connector (shared with a micro SD card slot).
Plus 4x A/D converter channels from the WLAN module. On top of that are one micro
SD card slot for flash cards as mass storage device, two push-buttons and seven
status LEDs (3x WLAN module, 4x micro controllers).
Similar to the other RP6 expansion modules (RP6-M32 and RP6-M128), you can con-
nect an LCD display to show the current status and sensor values. The numerous I/O
ports allow to add lots of user interface elements like additional buttons.
A 10cm tall 2.4GHz antenna with 2dBi gain, 15cm u.FL to RP-SMA pigtail cable and
mounting hardware complete the included equipment. The mounting hardware allows
experienced users to install the antenna at other locations.
Due to the internal bootloader, new software can be easily uploaded wirelessly via the
WLAN link into the module. Once it has been properly set up, a new program can be
loaded into the ATMEGA2560 with one mouse click. The transmission speed is quite
similar to the wired USB link (with good environmental conditions / little interference).
The WLAN module can be configured via the RobotLoader software on the host PC by
using the RP6 USB interface. This can be done either through a user interface or per
text commands sent via the terminal. Once properly configured, the microcontroller
program can simply send text messages via the serial interface just as if it was linked
to the PC via a cable (of course some small delays or interruptions may occur com-
pared to a wired transmission).
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