Updates

• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Hambone,
  we managed to reproduce the problem and working on a fix.
  Cheers,
  Tamas

  • Wed at 3:31 PM
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello everyone,
  a couple of you complained that no SBricks could be seen after upgrading the SBrick app and/or Simple Control.
  One of our collegues had the same issue, and we successfully reproduced the problem.
  The issue were finally resolved by...  moreHello everyone,
  a couple of you complained that no SBricks could be seen after upgrading the SBrick app and/or Simple Control.
  One of our collegues had the same issue, and we successfully reproduced the problem.
  The issue were finally resolved by changing certain settings on the phone.
  The SBrick apps need permission to access the device's location, and the location services must be enabled. This is a limitation of the Android OS and this is so to protect your privacy.
  Since the list of Bluetooth devices correlates with the physical location of the device, all application need to have permission to access location services.
  So, If you suddenly unable to see your SBrick on your device, please follow these steps (the name of the menu items and settings might be different on different devices):
  1. Go to "Settings" and then "Apps & notifications". Choose "SBrick" and/or "SBrick Simple Control". Open "Permissions", and make sure that "Location" is enabled.
  2. Got to "Settings" and then "Security &...    less

  • Nov 20
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Hypershadow,
  could you take a video of your problem? It would help a lot in finding the issue.
  Thank you.

  • Apr 5
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello,
  yes, the input is analog. The SBrick's C1 and C2 pins on each port can be used to measure voltage. By default, these are tied to the battery voltage (Vcc) / 2 with a resistive divider.
  You can apply any voltage on these pins between 0V and Vcc.
  To...  moreHello,
  yes, the input is analog. The SBrick's C1 and C2 pins on each port can be used to measure voltage. By default, these are tied to the battery voltage (Vcc) / 2 with a resistive divider.
  You can apply any voltage on these pins between 0V and Vcc.
  To take measurements, use commands "2C Set up periodic voltage measurement", and "2E Set up periodic voltage notifications" or "0F Query ADC".
  https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/11/slug/the-sbrick-ble-protocol
  The input voltage is dropped through a 1:10 voltage divider. The reference voltage is 1.24V, and the resolution is 12 bits, but you'll get a 16 bit number back.
  Basically, you have to take the number you get from the SBrick, multiply it by 1.24 (the reference voltage), and again with 11 (because of the voltage divider), and divide the the result with 2^15 (12 bit resolution, stored in MSB, first bit is essentially a sign), to get a voltage value.
     less

  • Mar 29
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Ray,
  the absolute maximum value is 11.8 Volts. This comes from the datasheet of the integrated circuit we use for driving the outputs (DRV8833). The safe operating limit is 10.8 for the same IC.
  Having said that, we managed to overvolt SBricks up...  moreHello Ray,
  the absolute maximum value is 11.8 Volts. This comes from the datasheet of the integrated circuit we use for driving the outputs (DRV8833). The safe operating limit is 10.8 for the same IC.
  Having said that, we managed to overvolt SBricks up to 14 volts and never damaged a single one. However, do not take this as a recommendation. It's a bit like overclocking / overvolting CPUs and memory modules in a PC. Be aware that overvolting your SBrick beyond the absolute maximum voids your warranty.
  What you can do is:
  
  Play safe, and don't run the SBrick over 10.8V
  Accept some extra heating and reduced safety margin, and go near the absolute maximum limit of 11.8V
  Accept the chance of immediately and permanently damage or severely reduce the lifespan of your SBrick, and run it over the absolute maximum of 11.8V.
  Use a 3-cell Lithium Iron Phospate (LiFePo4) battery. With a maximum cell voltage of 3.65V it just barely goes over the recommended operating limit of 10.8V, and stays well...    less

  • Mar 18
• 
  Tamás Fábián Hello everyone, we've updated the SBrick BLE Protocol page. From now on the protocol description is available in PDF format.

  The SBrick BLE protocol - Wikis Profile - SBrick Community

  This is Wikis Profile page. Social network site built around SBrick, the smartphone remote control device for LEGO® creations

  • Mar 18
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Yes, by default the SBrick apps lock the motors in neutral position. We're considering including this as an optional feature to allow free wheeling.
  Timber Brick said:
  I have similar observations about neutral sensitivity.  We fight battle bots with...  moreYes, by default the SBrick apps lock the motors in neutral position. We're considering including this as an optional feature to allow free wheeling.
  Timber Brick said:
  I have similar observations about neutral sensitivity.  We fight battle bots with skid steer control.  Recently, we've been adding two speed transmissions.  At high speeds, control skid steering is difficult.  Two reasons.  1.  When the SBRICK is in the neutral off position, it locks the motor.  The result is an out of control sliding spin.  I believe there is a way for the h-bridge motor controller to allow it to coast instead.  That mode would be most helpful.  2. The neutral range is tight and linear.  As the previous poster just suggested, an exponential modulation would be very helpful, allowing a wider neutral range.
  
     less

  • Mar 7
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Suggestions:

  Hey Ray, good idea, thank you. We're going to investigate the possibility of including this feature in the apps & profile designer.
  Ray Simon said:
  Feature Request: Reduce steering servo control sensitivity.
  I fly RC airplanes and a feature that is very...  moreHey Ray, good idea, thank you. We're going to investigate the possibility of including this feature in the apps & profile designer.
  Ray Simon said:
  Feature Request: Reduce steering servo control sensitivity.
  I fly RC airplanes and a feature that is very helpful is called "Exponential". The most obvious use here would be steering of an RC vehicle. The benefit of Expo is that the steering is less sensitive around the neutral point of the control stick which gives great control for making fine adjustments left or right of neutral. Then the sensitivity is higher as you get closer to the end points to allow you to jam around corners.
  I use a Nimbus gamepad controller paired to an iPhone. I find that when using steering with the PF servo that a tiny bump on the control stick gives a big change in steering direction. Essentially my servo which has the capability of 7 positions in either direction is really acting as a 3 position turning servo (neutral, approx 50% turn, full turn). Fine adjustments in...    less

  • Mar 7
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Heiko,
  there's a bug in the code that handles voltage measurement setup readback. As a workaround, try "2d00" instead of "2d" (This will stop working once we fixed this bug).
  To measure the voltage, use channel "01", that's the "C2" lead on port...  moreHello Heiko,
  there's a bug in the code that handles voltage measurement setup readback. As a workaround, try "2d00" instead of "2d" (This will stop working once we fixed this bug).
  To measure the voltage, use channel "01", that's the "C2" lead on port "A".
  Cheers,
  Tamas  

  • Jan 24
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi Michel,
  no, unfortunately the BLED112 dongle does not support A2DP, and also doesn't work well as a generic purpose Bluetooth dongle.
  The thing you should watch out for is "Bluetooth Smart" or "Bluetooth Low Energy" support. To meet your needs, the...  moreHi Michel,
  no, unfortunately the BLED112 dongle does not support A2DP, and also doesn't work well as a generic purpose Bluetooth dongle.
  The thing you should watch out for is "Bluetooth Smart" or "Bluetooth Low Energy" support. To meet your needs, the dongle should also support "BR/EDR" (basic rate / enhanced data rate). These dongles are often called "dual mode".
  One such dongle would be Laird BR851 ( https://hu.mouser.com/new/laird/laird-bt851-bluetooth-adapter/ )
  An other one is LM Technologies LM506 ( https://www.lm-technologies.com/product/bluetooth-usb-adapter-4-0-dual-mode-class-2-lm506/ )
  Cheers,
   
  Tamas  less

  • Jan 24
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Grzegorz,
  what do you mean by "frame format"? Could you please re-phrase the question?
  Grzegorz Bladocha said:
  When connecting with another bluetooth + arduino module to enable channel A which frame formatsend?
  
   

  • Jan 24
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi,
  the LEGO M motors are notoriously hard to drive. Try them with LEGO's own V2 IR receivers, and you'll likely get the same results.
  The problem with M motors is they have a large capacitor in parallel with the actual brushed DC motor in...  moreHi,
  the LEGO M motors are notoriously hard to drive. Try them with LEGO's own V2 IR receivers, and you'll likely get the same results.
  The problem with M motors is they have a large capacitor in parallel with the actual brushed DC motor in them. 
  When the DRV8833 motor driver chip in the SBrick Plus tries to charge this capacitor, it may go into overcurrent protection mode, and cut the PWM signal.
  This problem is not always present, most M motors and most SBricks work together just fine. If you can, please try other M motors and SBricks.
  The problem gets worse as the M motors need to supply more torque. If nothing seem to work, try using a thin silicon lubricant on the moving parts of your creation to reduce friction. You may try to apply lubrincant onto the planetary reduction gear inside the M motor, but you'd need to take it apart.
  (If nothing helps, and you _are_ willing to take the M motor apart, you can remove the capacitor, but this obviously isn't a real solution for most customers...    less

  • November 23, 2018
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello everyone,
  I'm sorry to hear your SBrick failing.
  We already have an idea about the cause of this problem. We need to take a look at the faulty pieces as they arrive.
  If the findings confirm our theory, we'll need to issue a firmware upgrade...  moreHello everyone,
  I'm sorry to hear your SBrick failing.
  We already have an idea about the cause of this problem. We need to take a look at the faulty pieces as they arrive.
  If the findings confirm our theory, we'll need to issue a firmware upgrade and change what the SBrick's doing right after it's powered on.
  Until then please do not leave your creations powered on if there's a possibility of the battery losing all charge during operation. If you see a battery pack failing, turn your creation off immediately. You sould run SBrick with fresh / fully charged batteries.
  Your SBricks are probably permanently damaged, please contact info@sbrick.com and ask for a replacement if you didn't already do.
     less

  • November 23, 2018
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hi Derek,
  unfortunately you can't combine the current on the different pins. You can feed at most 3 amps into SBrick, othervise you risk melting the plastic around the metal contacts.
  It is _technically_ possible to drive SBrick with a LiPo pack, but...  moreHi Derek,
  unfortunately you can't combine the current on the different pins. You can feed at most 3 amps into SBrick, othervise you risk melting the plastic around the metal contacts.
  It is _technically_ possible to drive SBrick with a LiPo pack, but please only do this if you know what you're doing. There is no fuse in SBrick, and a short circuit with a LiPo pack can drive dozens of amps through it potentially causing fire or even an explosion.
  LEGO battery packs come with proper current limiting, LiPo packs usually don't.  less

  • November 23, 2018
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello!
  The protocol over BLE is described here: https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/11
  You can use the gatttool command to write characteristics, and so to use the DRIVE command, or to use the Quick Drive method.
  One caveat is the...  moreHello!
  The protocol over BLE is described here: https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/11
  You can use the gatttool command to write characteristics, and so to use the DRIVE command, or to use the Quick Drive method.
  One caveat is the watchdog.
  The purpose of the watchdog is to prevent a model running away is your phone (or other devices) is frozen, so there is a connection (the so the model won't stop), but the application stops sending commands.
  The watchdog is a timer that starts whenever there is a channel that's DRIVE-ing or BRAKE-ing. In these cases, the application MUST send a command in every second, or the connection will be terminated. Sending a "DRIVE 0" to all channels disables the watchdog.  less

  • September 4, 2017
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Andrew,
  this is probably SBrick's overcurrent protection in action. It's a sign of trying to use SBrick near it's current limit.
  Don't use SBrick near it's current limit for too long, it will overheat, and the thermal protection will disable the...  moreHello Andrew,
  this is probably SBrick's overcurrent protection in action. It's a sign of trying to use SBrick near it's current limit.
  Don't use SBrick near it's current limit for too long, it will overheat, and the thermal protection will disable the motors for several seconds / minutes. Doing this often will adversely affect the SBrick's lifetime.
  I suggest using more motors instead of a single big one. I know this could be a hassle and/or more expensive, but you'll get reliable operation and happy, cool SBrick ;)
  Cheers,
  Tamas  less

  • April 4, 2017
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Kees,
  The 5th channel is indeed the the "LED identification on-off" channel.
  It's usage with quick drive is undocumented, since it's rather convoluted. Use the DRIVE command to turn it off (0) or on (any other value).
  You could use the LED...  moreHello Kees,
  The 5th channel is indeed the the "LED identification on-off" channel.
  It's usage with quick drive is undocumented, since it's rather convoluted. Use the DRIVE command to turn it off (0) or on (any other value).
  You could use the LED identification function via quick drive by sending a value 2 to turn it off (!) and 3,4, or greater to turn it on.  

  • March 29, 2017
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Dear Kees,
  old firmwares don't have the manufacturer specific data record in neither the advertisement, nor the scan response data packet.
  You can recognize these old bricks (beside updating the firmware, obviously :) ) by looking for devices with the...  moreDear Kees,
  old firmwares don't have the manufacturer specific data record in neither the advertisement, nor the scan response data packet.
  You can recognize these old bricks (beside updating the firmware, obviously :) ) by looking for devices with the name "SBrick". There are very old pre-production prototypes with the name "SmartBrick".
  To support these, you need to match for names of "SBRICK" or "SMARTBRICK" case insensitive (so "SBrick", "sbrick" and "sbRIck" all match). Since you cannot prevent anyone to name a BLE device "SBrick", you might end up listing and connecting to non-SBrick devices. To prevent confusion and strange errors, check for the remote control service in the GATT database.
  Cheers,
  Tamas  less

  • March 1, 2017
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Owen,
  you need to subscribe to notifications on the "quick drive" characteristic (489a6ae0-c1ab-4c9c-bdb2-11d373c1b7fb).
  Let me know wether this solves your problem or not.
  Cheers,
  Tamas

  • January 25, 2017
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Francesco,
  the documentation had an error, the ADC channel numbering changed after version 14.
  The battery reading is on channel 8, the temperature is on 9.
  The full list of channels can be read in the updated documentation:...  moreHello Francesco,
  the documentation had an error, the ADC channel numbering changed after version 14.
  The battery reading is on channel 8, the temperature is on 9.
  The full list of channels can be read in the updated documentation: https://social.sbrick.com/wiki/view/pageId/11/slug/the-sbrick-ble-protocol . See section "SBrick Data Records", record 06 "Voltage measurement".  

  • December 8, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  aaaaaaaaand that is correct. Thank you, the wiki will be updated soon. ;)

  • February 8, 2016
• 
  István Murvai is now friends with Tamás Fábián.

  • February 3, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  (if I do make more sense, I'm gonna update the wiki)

  • February 1, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Okay:
  
  Bit 0 is always the direction bit.
  Braking occures, when the drive value is zero, regardless of direction. 0x00 and 0x01 are both braking...  moreOkay:
  
  Bit 0 is always the direction bit.
  Braking occures, when the drive value is zero, regardless of direction. 0x00 and 0x01 are both braking commands.
  Freewheeling occures when the drive value is the least non-zero value regardless of the direction. 0x02 and 0x03 are both free wheeling.
  If all non-direction bits are ones, then apply full drive. 0xFF and 0xFE are all full-drive commands in reverse and forward respectively.
  All other values are equal with a drive command with power X & 0xFE where X is a value written to the quick drive characteristic, and "&" is a bitwise AND operation.
  
  do I make any sense now? :)
     less

  • February 1, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello everyone,
  thank you all for the reports.
  We're working on the issues and improvements, and going to release a new version this...  moreHello everyone,
  thank you all for the reports.
  We're working on the issues and improvements, and going to release a new version this week.
   
  We're going to buy a couple of new devices for testing including many of the problematic ones to be able to hunt those bugs down.
   
  Thank you for your attention :)  

  • January 26, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  ...the wiki page was also updated. Check it out!

  • January 19, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello Peter,
  Convert LE bytes to integer (C/JAVA): int adc = (((int)low) & 0xff) + ((((int)hi) & 0xff) * 256) Where "low" is the byte at the lower memory address, and hi is the byte at the higher memory address.
   
  Voltage is calculated as:...  moreHello Peter,
  Convert LE bytes to integer (C/JAVA): int adc = (((int)low) & 0xff) + ((((int)hi) & 0xff) * 256) Where "low" is the byte at the lower memory address, and hi is the byte at the higher memory address.
   
  Voltage is calculated as: (double)adc / 16.0 * 1.22 / 2047.0 * 11.0;
   
  Temperature is calculated as: (double)adc / 145.0067 * 1.22 - 160.0;  

  • January 19, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Hello,yes, bit 0 is the direction. A "0" means braking, 1 means freewheeling. Bits 1-7 can be set to control the drive level in each driection, and yes, there are 127 values from 1-127. (Value "0" either brakes or just "doesn't go" depending on the...  moreHello,yes, bit 0 is the direction. A "0" means braking, 1 means freewheeling. Bits 1-7 can be set to control the drive level in each driection, and yes, there are 127 values from 1-127. (Value "0" either brakes or just "doesn't go" depending on the direction bit). Value 127 on the bits 0-7 means "full drive" in each direction (uninterrupted DC voltage on the channel).  

  • January 13, 2016
• 
  Tamás Fábián replied to a topic in the forum Support:

  Thank you Klaus for the info.
  It means your hardware and OS is complatible with SBrick, and the problem is somewhere in the app.
  Now try "SBrick Simple Control" from Google Play. Does that scan your SBrick OK?

  • December 12, 2015