Successful integration of VEXplorer with PC

[profmason]

The VEXplorer is a neat little platform, but unfortunately it lacks the programmability of the original vex platform. I spent a weekend building an interface that would allow PC control of the VEXplorer as a serial device.
This will void your warranty etc etc.
Basically you need to take apart the VEXplorer remote, remove trace 20 on the ELAN microprocessor chip. Solder a wire to this point. Now this point is looking for a standard futaba PPM Rc signal. (20 ms frame with ~300us pulses)
Details are given here: http://profmason.com/?p=508
Generate the appropriate pulse stream and feed it into this point. Any standard microprocessor can be programmed to take a serial input and generate the appropriate PPM stream.
For a writeup of the entire project and video of the VEXplorer navigating autonomously using the video camera as a sensor go to:
[profmason.com - This website is for sale! - profmason Resources and Information.

have fun!](profmason.com - This website is for sale! - profmason Resources and Information.)

[tswift1]

@profmason

The VEXplorer is a neat little platform, but unfortunately it lacks the programmability of the original vex platform. I spent a weekend building an interface that would allow PC control of the VEXplorer as a serial device.
This will void your warranty etc etc.
Basically you need to take apart the VEXplorer remote, remove trace 20 on the ELAN microprocessor chip. Solder a wire to this point. Now this point is looking for a standard futaba PPM Rc signal. (20 ms frame with ~300us pulses)
Details are given here: http://profmason.com/?p=508

Generate the appropriate pulse stream and feed it into this point. Any standard microprocessor can be programmed to take a serial input and generate the appropriate PPM stream.
For a writeup of the entire project and video of the VEXplorer navigating autonomously using the video camera as a sensor go to:
[http://profmason.com/?p=513

have fun!](http://profmason.com/?p=513)

Can you control the Vexplorer via the Serial RS-232 Port (COM1-COM9) on a PC or laptop?

[basicxman]

@tswift1

Can you control the Vexplorer via the Serial RS-232 Port (COM1-COM9) on a PC or laptop?

i havent read his article yet but probably you could do this, use a serial interface through VB .net or something like that

[tswift1]

I can’t wait to try it out, I have a Vexplorer on order, and want to be able to program it both from a laptop and autonomously.

[MarkO]

@profmason

The VEXplorer is a neat little platform, but unfortunately it lacks the programmability of the original vex platform. I spent a weekend building an interface that would allow PC control of the VEXplorer as a serial device.
This will void your warranty etc etc.
Basically you need to take apart the VEXplorer remote, remove trace 20 on the ELAN microprocessor chip. Solder a wire to this point. Now this point is looking for a standard futaba PPM Rc signal. (20 ms frame with ~300us pulses)
Details are given here: http://profmason.com/?p=508

Generate the appropriate pulse stream and feed it into this point. Any standard microprocessor can be programmed to take a serial input and generate the appropriate PPM stream.
For a writeup of the entire project and video of the VEXplorer navigating autonomously using the video camera as a sensor go to:
[http://profmason.com/?p=513

have fun!](http://profmason.com/?p=513)

Excellent Site!!! I appreciate your work…