Extracting data from device?

published by Choudhury Ahmed on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 15:48
English

We followed up the pin setup to the Zeo using the wire configuration we found on here. After attaching everything together, the device failed to trasmit any data. We know the wiring is correct and the program works properly because we recieved inputs via other means, but the Zeo wouldn't transmit any data.

We're not sure if it's an issue with the device (We recieved a refurbished unit for research purposes) and we also seeked help from a professor who couldn't get any data from the device.

Is there a specific button, or configuration that we need to get the data out? If you need more information regarding our work, please let us know.

Forums:

Pj

Wed, 02/08/2012 - 13:05

You need the updated firmware.  The standard firmware that comes with it will not output any data.

Also, be aware that the serial data is 3.3v "TTL", which is not the voltage used for serial ports on PCs.  You'll need to test your wiring with something that outputs a similar 3.3v signal.  (I put TTL in quotes because it is in all likelyhood a CMOS output, but "3.3v TTL" is what people tend to call that type of serial output.)

Choudhury Ahmed

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 13:34

We've updated the firmware and downloaded the necessary drivers. We've used the instructions given here: http://www.sleepstreamonline.com/rdl/starting.html

We tried to use RealTerm to extract some data using the given instructions and failed too get anything out. We've tried to flip the order of the wiring and it still doesn't work. We're trying to get some live feed of the raw data from the device to our laptop.

Is there some sort of button pressing scheme or is there an error in the page we used to refer to above, or is there some sort of trick/firmware update/anything we may have missed? Any help would be grateful!

Thanks,

Choudhury Ahmed

Pj

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 20:55

...other than the ones to update the firmware.  (After putting the new firmware on the SD card, you have to install it using an option in the setup menu on the Zeo.)  Once the new firmware is installed, it just always spits out data no matter what is going on.

Did you perhaps put the connector in up-side-down?  You want the clip to be facing up.  (It'll fit and "snap" either way.)  

Make sure to use 38400 for the baud rate, and no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit. 

Next you might try connecting the FTDI cable's input and output lines (the orange and yellow wires) together, which will let you test the cable and its connection to the computer, without involving the Zeo.  With those two wires connected, you should be able to send data out the serial port and have it immediately come back in.  If it doesn't, then there's something wrong.  This won't test that the port settings (baud rate, parity, stop bits) are correct, but it will test everything else.

If that works, then I don't know what to suggest other than making extra sure (which you've probably already done) that you've connected the wires to the correct pins.  Also couldn't hurt to check the firmware version on the Zeo (somewhere in the setup menu) just to make sure you've got the firmware version with the capital O at the end installed.