Software issues

Follow

Hi !

What is your PC / Windows version ?
Are you using a Arduino Micro ?

Right after connecting the robot with the PC software, every axis should go to 90 deg.

Software indicating 0 deg is not normal.

Clicking on J+ button and moving the robot from that command indicates the communication from PC to Arduino is functionnal

I feel like the Arduino receives the command from the PC, but the PC does not receive the feedback from the Arduino (Arduino to PC not functionnal).

Mathieu Brodeur

Could you please do this quick test:


Find the CDC.cpp Arduino file on your computer.

The path should be something like this:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\arduino\avr\cores\arduino\CDC.cpp

Open the CDC.cpp file with Notepad++, Visual Studio or a text editor.

Comment, by adding « // », the following lines:



Save the file.

Reload the DIY_RoboticsEducativeCell_Arduino_V1_0 arduino code in your Arduino.

Test again the communication between PC Software < -- >  Arduino.

The position values in the left panel of the software should update de 90deg when you connect.



Mathieu Brodeur

Mathieu,

If I comment out that if statement the arduino code fails to compile. And as you know if it fails to compile then it will not upload to the board.

I am using windows 7 on a lenovo laptop.

Yes I am using an arduino Micro board for this

Another thing is the software has "Wait data from robot" displayed after it finds the active com port and I click connect. I opened the serial monitor in the arduino software and there is data coming from the board. The software is just not getting it.

Could you send a screenshot from the CDC.cpp where you commented the if statement ?
DIY_RoboticsEducativeCell_Arduino_V1_0 Arduino code does compile on my side after commenting the 2 lines I mentioned.


Here's what I've tested :

1. I took a Windows 7 laptop (Arduino IDE was not installed, DIY-Robotics Software was not installed).

2. I Installed DIY-Robotics Software + Arduino IDE (Arduino IDE includes the right driver for Arduino Micro).

3. I opened DIY-Robotics Software, plugged the DIY robot controller with USB and connected with the software.
    (Arduino Micro code was already uploaded from previous tests with my other computer).
    Everything worked fine.

4. From the Arduino IDE freshly installed on the Windows 7 laptop, I uploaded the DIY_RoboticsEducativeCell_Arduino_V1_0 code to the Arduino.
    (The CDC.cpp core file is not modified yet because I just downloaded Arduino IDE)

5. I tried to connect to the Arduino with the DIY-Robotics Software.
    The result is just as you described: "Wait data from robot" displayed.

6. I modified the CDC.cpp core file as described in my previous post.

7. I tried to connect to the Arduino with the DIY-Robotics Software.
    Everything worked fine.

I am afraid this modification in CDC.cpp core file is necessary.
The Arduino Micro has a special virtual serial port (Just like Arduino Leonardo), it makes it difficult to use in some applications...

I searched on internet and this solution has succeeded for others with Arduino Micro serial communication.

I have tried step by step exactly what you described. and still it will not communicate with the software. There is something else blocking the comms inbound from the arduino.

My issue last time was I tried to recompile and re-upload to the arduino with the CDC file modified wrong. So it failed.

It works fine now. I had to re-upload the software to the arduino after modifying the CDC file for some reason. But now everything looks good and the servos are re-acting like they should to commands.

Thank you very much!

I'm glad it works :)

Hi all good day i just finished building my PCB and now doing some test i need some help pls 

Iam using Windows 10 Home

1. SERVO position 

• I have exactly the same issue as as stated on top there is no feedback on the servo position 
• when i press any servo + position it will move and when i let go it will return back 
• I tried editing the CDC as suggested // save then upload again to arduino but still not working 😢

2. INPUTS 

• the relay turn's ON whenever toggle the switch but there is no change of state on the DIY software program 😢

Hope you can help me 

Thank you in advance 

After you modify the CDC file and save it I found it necessary to re-upload the software to the Arduino micro. Only after I did that did the system start working.

Hi Noyesgreene 

Thanks for the help 

• I tried modifying and saving  the CDC file 
• I re-upload the software to micro couple of times

Still the problem persist 😢

I looked at your CDC file that you posted and it looks like you edited it correctly. Are you using the 12 volt power supply on the board. Meaning your USB is plugged into the board and your 12 volt power supply is plugged in and the power toggle switch is in the on position. I can imagine how it might do some odd stuff if you just try to power it from your USB port.
Also, right click the robotics app on your desktop and make sure your running it with administrator priveledges. That could cause the app to not have access to the port.

Hi Noyesgreene

Thanks answer bold italic 

I looked at your CDC file that you posted and it looks like you edited it correctly. Are you using the 12 volt power supply on the board Yes Sir 

Meaning your USB is plugged into the board and your 12 volt power supply is plugged in and the power toggle switch is in the on position Yes Sir .

I can imagine how it might do some odd stuff if you just try to power it from your USB port. I check that the 12 v power supply is working 
Also, right click the robotics app on your desktop and make sure your running it with administrator priveledges. Yes Iam on Admin 

That could cause the app to not have access to the port.

• i can connect with the software but there is no servo feedback always 0 
• I press the J+ control servo moves but when release it returns back 
• I can toggle the DO and the relay will energize no problem 
• i put a switch on the DI the relay turn on but there is no feedback on the software 

Thanks for the support

Everything your seeing is indicative of the software not getting a response from the board.
As a test open up the Arduino software make sure your com port is selected and that your board is set to Arduino micro. Now open tools>>serial port monitor you should see a lot of response coming into the window. If you do not see anything that is an issue with the board. Also make sure your editing the right CDC file. I am not sure why there might be more than one but I suppose it is possible.

Hi Noyesgreene

i check the serial monitor and i got so weird data

Exactly the same thing I saw when I did it. That means that the micro is sending data to the computer. But the software is just not getting it. Alright, try uninstalling the robot control software and then reinstalling it. But make sure when you install the software again choose the "for everyone" option.

Hi I tried reinstalling set for everyone still the same 😢😢😢😢

The short and skinny of this is you have something open or running on your system that is blocking that USB port. Do you have the Arduino software running?open your system tray (ctrl+alt+delete) and force close every running app that you do not need. Need to make sure nothing else is interfering.

Hi Noyesgreene 

good day still have the same issue 😢😢😢 ill buy a new micro and test it ...

every time i reset the micro the relay 5 tun on and off around 12 times is this normal ?

Now that is something that I have not experienced. Are you positive that you have the board soldered correctly? I know it was pretty difficult for me to make sure no connections were shorted and everything was secure. But I'm sure your a much better solderer than I am. But in the interests of being thorough it cannot hurt to check to make sure you do not have any shorted components or perhaps are missing components. I have been waiting for Mathieu Brodeur to chime in here as he seems to know this stuff much better than I do

Hello everyone. Just finished my robot today and I am having the exact same issues as Pukindat JB.  Joints start at 0 and immediately return to 0 once J+ is no longer clicked.  I have not made any changes because PJB was unsuccessful with his. I am new to robots, this is my first, so any help would be appreciated.

GB,

You need to make the change as described above to the CDC file. After you make the change re-upload the software to the arduino micro. Then close the arduino application and fire up your robot control software. click scan and then click connect once the port shows up. This worked for me when I had the issue. 

Hi Noyesgreene you are using windows 7 ? I m windows 10 you think there is some difference ?

i upload other program example from arduino ide to test my soldering connection 

• like inputs i use Button  and check all inputs pin 2,4,7 it is working 
• Servo i use the Sweep all i working pwm

Thank you 

Hi GB Iam still stuck 😢😢😢 same issue is your inputs working ?

Hi,
Sorry, i've been busy the last 2 days.

Noyesgreene Greene  --> 
Thank you for trying to help !



Pukindat JB -->
Hi !
You have the same exact problem as Noyesgreene Greene first had.
The arduino gets data from the PC, but the PC does not get data from Arduino.
I have tested the software on 5 different coomputers (Windows 7, 8 and 10).
I had a sucessfull communication everytime. So we should be able to fix yours.
And since Noyesgreene Greene had the same problem and got it solved, it should work for you too.
First I will answer a few of your questions:
i check the serial monitor and i got so weird data
The data is normal. Arduino Serial monitor displays the data in ASCII format, but the Arduino and DIY Robotics Software use a HEX format for the communication.
If you convert the ASCII data in HEX (using Notepad++ as exemple), you would see something like that (I've separeted the different bytes in the red box): 

Arduino sends 15 Bytes packets to the PC.
First byte FD(HEX) = 253(DEC). Indicates the first byte of the data packet.
6 following bytes : 5B 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A(HEX) = 91 90 90 90 90 90(DEC). Servo angle feedback to the PC.
6 following bytes are for input / output signal states.
Last byte FE(HEX) = 254(DEC). Indicates the last byte of the data packet.

So your data is not weird, it's just the way it's displayed.
It would be interesting to log your communication data and check it in HEX format to confirm it's OK, but honestly I don't thing thats the problem.

every time i reset the micro the relay 5 tun on and off around 12 times is this normal ?
It does the same on my side. When programming the Arduino, it's pins turn on and off a few times during the process (for whatever reason).
There are relays connected on those pins, so you hear them turn on and off.

I really feel like the CDC.cpp file solution should work.
The correction you did seems good.
As Noyesgreene Greene said, you got to make sure there is only one CDC.cpp core file on your computer...
Can you make sure there is only one Arduino folder ?

Make sur you don't have it in double like that:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino
C:\Program Files\Arduino

There might be a Arduino folder in Documents, but it should not contain CDC.cpp core file.
C:\Users\mbrodeur\Documents\Arduino


Also, when you program the Arduino, do you choose the right board type in Arduino IDE ?



When you scan for serial ports, how many ports do you see in the list ?



It might alse be a USB driver issue.
In your device manager, can you see Arduino Micro under COM Ports ?
Can you check your driver properties ?
Do you have the following parameters ?


GB -->
Hi !

Have you modified the CDC.cpp file as I explained in my first 2 replies ?


Thanks

And just to make sure,

after modifying and saving the CDC.cpp file, make sure you:
1. Compile your DIY_RoboticsEducativeCell_Arduino_V1_0 code 
2. Reload your DIY_RoboticsEducativeCell_Arduino_V1_0 code in the Arduino.


I'm pretty sure the modification in CDC.cpp file will only affect the code if you compile first.


Mathieu Brodeur

Hi Mathieu '

Good day Sir answer below 

• I uninstall the arduino then install again to be sure i only have one installed stiill the sane issue 😢😢

C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino
C:\Program Files\Arduino

There might be a Arduino folder in Documents, but it should not contain CDC.cpp core file.
C:\Users\mbrodeur\Documents\Arduino

Also, when you program the Arduino, do you choose the right board type in Arduino IDE ?

• Yes Sir i have the same conifg as per your suggestion

When you scan for serial ports, how many ports do you see in the list ?

• i only see one and that is the correct micro

It might alse be a USB driver issue.
In your device manager, can you see Arduino Micro under COM Ports ? YES
Can you check your driver properties ? YES same as you suggested
Do you have the following parameters ? YES 

Still the same issue 😢😢

I also change to a new arduino micro still same issue 😢😢😢

also have i have  notice that the 5v regulator is getting hot ?  do i need to put heatsink?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the slow response, I have been studying for the FE.  I made the file change and tested it on one servo and it seems to be working fine.  Moves and stays and also reports location.  I am making repairs / modifications so I can't test the others until this weekend probably.

Good for you GB you manage to make it work  😊 me iam still stuck maybe i will try other laptop