User manual

RP6 ROBOT SYSTEM - 3. Hardware and Software Setup
The selected file will now appear in the list. This way you may select other Hexfiles
from your own programs or from the other examples and add them to the list
(s. Screenshot, in which we already added a few hex files). The RobotLoader is able to
manage several hexfiles in order to make the upload comfortable. With several expan-
sion modules or different versions of programs you will appreciate this. At termination
of the program the list will be saved automatically! Of course only path names for the
hexfiles are stored. During program development, you need to add a hex file only
once. After a recompilation of the program you can directly upload the new Version
without adding it to the list again (you may use the shortcuts [STRG+D] for upload
only or [STRG+Y] to start the program after a transfer). Path names vary for different
operating systems, thus the RobotLoader uses separate file lists for Windows and
Linux.
Now select the file “RP6Base_SELFTEST.hex” from the list and click on “Upload!” at
the top right side below the progress bar. This starts the upload process to the
MEGA32. The upload should be completed within a few seconds (up to 5 seconds for
the self test program).
After the upload is complete, select the “Terminal”-tab at the bottom of the program
window or alternatively select it from the menu “View”.
Start the program by pressing the RP6's Start/Stop Button,
located near the programming connector (see fig.)! Later
you can use the buttons in RobotLoader Software or use
the keyboard shortcut [STRG]+[S], but by using the hard-
ware button now, you can directly verify that it works OK.
A warning message should appear in the Terminal. It tells
you that the RP6 is going to start the motors during Test
number 8!
ATTENTION! Please pick up and hold the RP6 in your hands while
test number 8 is running (“Motors and Encoders Test”) or alternat-
ively place the RP6 on top of a suitable object – in order to prevent
the caterpillar tracks from touching the ground surface! During test
number 8 the caterpillars must NOT be touched or blocked!
Otherwise the test will fail most likely! If the RP6 would touch the
ground, the behaviour of the Motors would get influenced, resulting
in a test failure. As a matter of fact the RP6 would also be driving
some distance, forcing you to follow and carry the USB-cable as long
as it lasts…
You have to hold the RP6 in your hands or alternatively place
the RP6 on top of an object (e.g. a small box or remote con-
trol). Even if you place the RP6 on top of an object, please
hold the RP6 with one hand during the test to prevent it from
slipping away and accidentally falling of the table!
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