Will the Arduino... (USB > xBee > Arduino > Inpts)

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

I'm planning on using the Arduino as an interface for my analog-ins to control an interface with a live performing artist (IE: a Dancer) on stage.

I gather so far:

  • If I use the Arduino Mini, I get a total of 8 analog ins (0-5v) suitable for sensors.
  • If I use an xBee (pro), I can go from USB >> xBee ~~~~~~~ xBee >> Arduino Mini >> Sensors.
  • I can also use the onboard PWM digital outs to fade LEDs and other response devices.

Is this all true. Has anyone tried something similar?

... is anyone willing to be my mentor over the next 2 months as I build & program my Thesis, using Max/MSP, Jitter, Processing, etc...

You'll be credited publicly on my site, as well as in my final paper to my professors.

Let me know!
-Scott McLeod
Ryerson University THFP 2007
scottmcleod@gmail.com
http://framebyframe.ca

2

Oh really?

Let's keep in touch over email. I think we might find ourselves picking eachother's brains...

I think bluetooth is too limited a range (10m for class 1, 100m for class 2, but there's very few class 2 devices out there)

xBees are something like 400m for the pro version, and 100m for the regular. Cut that in quarter (because theatre has SO MUCH interferance from the dirty power in the lighting grid), and the Xbee pro is what I think i'm going to use.

Here's my biggest hangup. The Arduino only has 8 analog ins... Do I use 2 arduinos? Or do I just find another similar device? Is there any way of getting more inputs out of the unit? (before I go ordering them this week...)

3

you can multiplex the analog inputs ... look at the Fluidforms project in Playground>projects...
they have been so kind as to release the code and the schematic for interfacing 64 home made force sensors.

D

4

That's neat. So it cuts down the polling of your objects, but hey, who cares.

The trick is getting the software you write in sync with it, I guess?

I love the one free minute project. Really cool concept!

5

The trick is getting the software you write in sync with it, I guess?

no trick, as they give you the software too :slight_smile:

6

actually XBee module has 7 analog/digital I/O + 1 digital input + 1 digital output + 2 PWM.
If you are planning to use it for simple sensors condition transfer you don't need any additional MCU connected to XBee module - you can do it by simply configuring module itself.
Actually XBee HAS integrated MCU - MC9S08GT60, and this is PROGRAMMABLE - you can take SDK for customization of XBee there:
http://www.maxstream.net/products/xbee/xbee-oem-rf-module-zigbee.php
(XBee Code Development)

7

holy s***

I never noticed that!!

I wonder how hard it would be to learn to code them...