Computer Controlled Radio-Controlled Car help - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Suds · 27th March 2007, 10:52 AM

Hi

I need some advice on a project I decided to undertake. I want to control my radio controlled car from my pc using the cursors on the keyboard. I am planning to use a microcontroller to receive the input from the keyboard (via RS232) and somehow control a transmitter which will send the signal to the receiver on the car itself. I am familiar with microcontrollers but when it comes to the communications I don't know how to proceed. I believe that there should be some chips that could do the transmitting and receiving???

Thanks!

**Nigel Goodwin** · 27th March 2007, 10:56 AM

Check my PIC RF tutorial.

Suds · 27th March 2007, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the quick reply...and by the way great website. I have become fond of PIC since last year (coming from an AVR background!) so it is the way I will go.

(PS This does not mean I'm not an AVR fan)

Sceadwian · 28th March 2007, 03:15 AM

Suds you traitor!

<Just kidding> I'm an AVR guy, then again I don't feel like learning PIC and AVR's do what I want =)

Swanepoel · 28th March 2007, 04:28 PM

I know a guy that done the exact same project.
He used the PIC 16F628A that has an USART (for serial receiption from the PC) and PWM for controlling the motor speed.
He used C# to write the PC's software (I suppose you can use Hyper Terminal as an alternative)
Good Luck.

Sceadwian · 29th March 2007, 02:33 AM

Sure, writing a command line prompt for a serial interface is a good programming excercise. It's thin client too and can be adapated for a variety of instances.

Suds · 29th March 2007, 10:23 AM

I was an AVR guy as well and defended my "religion" against PIC outsiders! Then I realized that they both had their advantages and disadvantages.

This project of mine will start when I'm on vacation. Campus does not cater for hobbies! I'm just trying to put things into perspective from now so that I don't waste precious time fumbling for ideas.

Thanks to everyone who has given some insight. Your time is greatly appreciated.

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27th March 2007, 10:52 AM	(permalink)
Suds	Computer Controlled Radio-Controlled Car help Hi I need some advice on a project I decided to undertake. I want to control my radio controlled car from my pc using the cursors on the keyboard. I am planning to use a microcontroller to receive the input from the keyboard (via RS232) and somehow control a transmitter which will send the signal to the receiver on the car itself. I am familiar with microcontrollers but when it comes to the communications I don't know how to proceed. I believe that there should be some chips that could do the transmitting and receiving??? Thanks!

27th March 2007, 10:56 AM	(permalink)
Nigel Goodwin	Check my PIC RF tutorial. __________________ PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

27th March 2007, 11:11 AM	(permalink)
Suds	Thanks for the quick reply...and by the way great website. I have become fond of PIC since last year (coming from an AVR background!) so it is the way I will go. (PS This does not mean I'm not an AVR fan)

28th March 2007, 03:15 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	Suds you traitor! <Just kidding> I'm an AVR guy, then again I don't feel like learning PIC and AVR's do what I want =) __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."

28th March 2007, 04:28 PM	(permalink)
Swanepoel	I know a guy that done the exact same project. He used the PIC 16F628A that has an USART (for serial receiption from the PC) and PWM for controlling the motor speed. He used C# to write the PC's software (I suppose you can use Hyper Terminal as an alternative) Good Luck.

29th March 2007, 02:33 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	Sure, writing a command line prompt for a serial interface is a good programming excercise. It's thin client too and can be adapated for a variety of instances. __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."

29th March 2007, 10:23 AM	(permalink)
Suds	I was an AVR guy as well and defended my "religion" against PIC outsiders! Then I realized that they both had their advantages and disadvantages. This project of mine will start when I'm on vacation. Campus does not cater for hobbies! I'm just trying to put things into perspective from now so that I don't waste precious time fumbling for ideas. Thanks to everyone who has given some insight. Your time is greatly appreciated.