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Author Topic: Serial Communication Issue
CSE27USF
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Posts: 18
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Post Serial Communication Issue
on: May 12, 2012, 16:52
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Hello all. Im new to the polargraph drawing community so take it easy on me. I have a few questions that I can't seem to get a definitive answer too even after reading through all the posts on here. I currently have the polargraphcontroller1.1.4windows32 file working and unzipped. I can open the program with no problem. I also have the source code from Step 8. of the instructable loaded to the arduino. I can see that the serial end of the arduino is working when the serial window is open because it says ready....ready.. and continues to indicate it is operable. However, when I open the controller and select serial port COM 3. The port that arduino is using it does not indicate polar graph ready on the machine itself. What am I missing here? Im so close and this is what is holding me back. Any help would be greatly appreciated
CSE27USF
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Posts: 18
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Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 12, 2012, 18:08
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A few more questions. Does the file in the repository downloaded contain everything needed to execute the application without having to download IP5, and Geomerative? Is it better to download the controller files in .pde form and run them through processing as is. I thought after reading the instructable and others results that the binaries that I download would execute easily. I noticed mention in a post regarding changing the com port in the controller text file. Where is this file located at. I extraced the .zip in the same place and have folders labled source all pde files with one exception, lib all jar exe files, and a lone rxtx dll file. Am i missing something related to serial communication.

sandy
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Posts: 1317
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sandy
Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 12, 2012, 18:17
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Hi there, glad you got this close. I can't really see what you're missing.

If you can see "ready" in the arduino serial monitor, then you've got all the right drivers, you've loaded the firmware right, and you're already identified the correct serial port to use. That's good.

There _is_ a newer version of the polargraph controller, which is necessary to use the very newest version of the firmware properly, but the "making contact" part should work fine in the version you have, so I don't think it's not a version problem.

What does the status line in the controller say (the one at the top - it'll be either "Polargraph is not connected." or "No serial connection.")?

Are you making sure you close down the arduino serial monitor before trying to connect with the controller? The two can't use the same serial port at once.

It also takes a couple of seconds to "go live" too, once you've chosen the port.

sn
CSE27USF
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Posts: 18
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Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 12, 2012, 18:38
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Ill run through it again tonight when I get off work. Snap a photo or two and get some more information posted up. I have been running the arduino serial monitor window open while having the polargraph controller up as well. It identifies COM3 in the setup serial port window. I have tested both the motor shield and the motors as well and have had them tested on various step changes and style configurations. I know its all there sans the drawing board...just something is awry.

sandy
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Posts: 1317
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sandy
Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 12, 2012, 18:52
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Well hopefully it's just the issue with having the serial monitor open at the same time. Make sure it's closed down, and the serial port is free before trying to connect with the controller, fingers crossed that's the problem.

sn
CSE27USF
Newbie
Posts: 18
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Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 13, 2012, 02:58
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That solved it. I shouldve realized this since the COM ports have to be dedicated to one monitor for serial at a time. Its been a while since I have run any serial communication applications. Polar Graph Ready popped up in green the minute I shut down the arduino serial monitor. Just waiting on the shapeways pulleys and the beaded cord to start the drawing board surface and I should be in business. If I run in to anything on the hardware side I know where to come. Thanks for the quick replies. This is an impressive forum and an even more impressive project you have developed. I have been a member of many forums but have yet to see such quick replies to troubleshooting issues. Sandy you are the man!
sandy
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Posts: 1317
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sandy
Post Re: Serial Communication Issue
on: May 13, 2012, 09:45
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You're very welcome, I've done the same thing plenty of times. The error messages are unfortunately hidden in the precompiled binaries (no console available there), so there's nothing to tip you off that the port wasn't available. Thanks - very kind of you!

sn
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