![]() ![]() With the advent of Power Functions in 2007, it was launched the LEGO Power Functions IR Remote Control (on the right). This remote features simultaneous control of two ports (A, B) for one of four channels at a time, from two 2-Way controls. Polarity is also configurable for each port, at the remote. The way it operates, makes use of 'Combo Direct Mode' as described in the 'LEGO Power Functions RC Protocol' and which LEGO released for Open Source recently. This mode has timeout for lost IR. After LEGO made the PF protocol specification Open Source, we got to know it is designed to handle up to 8 channels and that in addition to 'Combo Direct Mode', several other operation modes are available, like:
None of these is available from the current LEGO PF remote. So we can expect for news in this domain, either from LEGO with the new TECHNIC sets for the coming years, or any other OEM who may get interest to develop hardware for PF (actually there are still some constraints to this, as referred here). Personally, I would expect to see new remotes with more capabilities, like:
Some of these modes/features, may never be released as of-the-shelf remotes, but left for MOCs or even integration projects with LEGO MINDSTORMS RCX or NXT (see ahead in this post). Meanwhile several skilled builders, developed their own efforts to expand the standard remote usability. ![]() The idea was to keep the levers short, so that smaller hands could operate them easily. In the end, 5L axles on the middle handset give a lever length equal to the joysticks. Later, several other Remote Control creations with similar or different functionalities arose. See them and chose/adapt the one that best fits your needs. Steering Wheel remotes: |
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4 and 8-Way remotes:
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Other remotes:
And finally some examples for multi-channel expanded designs, from left to rigth and up to down:
- Mark Bellis (the same as above);
- LIEBHERR R964 model from Fabio Sali, at LEGOWorld 2007.
- A creation from Duku (LUGPol) with a real steering wheel. See more details at the respective Brickshelf folder.
- And to finish, Jason with an expansion from his great 8-Way thumbstick remote (2x 8-Way thumbstick + 2x 2-Way controls);
LPF protocol advanced modes with MINDSTORMS RCX and NXT:
Immediately after LPF protocol release, some experts started writing code to implement the new PF modes within existing hardware.
Bob Kojima developed code for RCX and BrickOS, so that with his firmware it is possible to control LEGO Power Functions devices with a RCX.
The great advancement is that it can issue PWM commands, for the Power Functions IR Receivers and this way control motors speed (stop and 7 speeds forward/backward as allowed by the protocol).
John Hansen together with Jason Railton, adapted the NBC and NXC API functions for the HiTechnic IRLink device, to support the newly documented Power Function modes as well as the RC Train IR protocol.
This way with a NXT and an IRLink sensor, it is possible to make use of all modes/commands that LPF protocol allows (Single Pin timeout or continous, PWM,...).
Edit:
New examples added.
Last Update: 2008.Feb.25 23:01 GMT
10 comments:
I loved Zed design but Sariel's seem to be more effective for me.
TECHNIC ingenuity at its best!
Thank goodness LEGO put the remote controller's axleholes exactly aligned with the controls' axis: this creations like these much easier.
Now, to expand on the PF protocol and fulfill all its possibilities, it would be nice if LEGO launched a modular transmitter: possibly using the PF connector, there could be separate modules for batteries/transmitter, channel choosers, and controls (pushbuttons, switches, analogue inputs...).
This would make building a transmitter to suit each model's needs much easier.
Most likely it was not a coincidence!... ;D
Oh, and I forgot: that's great news, about the MINDSTORMS pBricks now being able to control PF receivers! I knew it was only a matter of software, not hardware... can't wait to get an NXT IR Link, and to have the code implemented in NQC (I don't like BrickOS' hassle much)!
You shuld check on this: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2974028
I say it's mother of all RC modifications, it even has a hooter! :)
You are right, Paul!
I've seen it before several times, but did took great attention to it... :(
Maybe because the Remote is not easily visible.
I'll update the post with this one too, and hope to be the last update... ;)
Fernando
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2969992
This is my PF remote controller modification. Probably not the best, but IMHO the design is compared to many others much better.
Humm... another good example!
But I must stop updating this post somewhere in time!...
I think we can go now adding new examples here like this, just posting them as comments, like you did. ;)
Thanks for the interest!
Fernando (Conchas)
I own a Hitechnic IRLink, and I will be recieving the new IRLink Power Functions NXt-g block 1.1 beta version, once they have created it. Is it possible to have the IRlink control 8 channels? The main limitation is that the IR recievers have a 4 channel switch, but it still might be possible.
I doubt it.
Current IR receivers can choose only among 4 channels; although the protocol allows for more, the current hardware can't cope with them.
Surely a new receiver model, also with this one's bugs solved, will appear with all 8 channels... or maybe even HiTechnic, MindSensors or others will come up with something of their own.
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