Porting Forth To IsoPod

[Mark Bresler]

Hi,
Please forgive me but I have taken a year or two hiatus in
programming, but now have some time to get back to development. I have an early IsoPod and have several questions.

1) Can I port my Forth programs directly to the IsoPod, I like the small form factor?
2) Is there a way to change the power up baud rate from the normal 115,200? I have been using older Macintosh computers with a top baud rate of 57,600 and it is normally set at 9,600 for use with my Forth boards.
3) Do you recommend a USB to serial converter so I can use my newer Windows computer or do some New Micros boards come with USB connections
4) Should I return the IsoPod board for updating, several years ago I was told there were upgrades available?

Thanks in advance for answering this bunch of questions, Mark

[RMDumse]

Hi,
1) Can I port my Forth programs directly to the IsoPod, I like the small form factor?

Hi Mark, glad to have you back at it! We'll answer all the questions we can for you.

Yes, the majority of your Forth should port over. Remember, it is different hardware. But in fact you can generate PWM from the 'Pod's that is very comparable to what you would get from a NMIS/L-7056. No PID built in, but we do have examples of PID in the appnotes.

2) Is there a way to change the power up baud rate from the normal 115,200? I have been using older Macintosh computers with a top baud rate of 57,600 and it is normally set at 9,600 for use with my Forth boards.

Well, an autostart could be entered that changed BAUD. We have made some images for folks to go at a different baudrate. LC has done that. Down to 9600. We could maybe do the same for you.

3) Do you recommend a USB to serial converter so I can use my newer Windows computer or do some New Micros boards come with USB connections

Yes, some New Micros boards come with USB connections. Specifically the ServoPod-USB(TM). But really, there are a ton of USB to serial converters out there under $20 that do a great job. I usually get mine from Tigerdirect.com. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?cat=447&keywords=usb%20serial The one I last bought was a BAFO, but I don't see those offered there.

4) Should I return the IsoPod board for updating, several years ago I was told there were upgrades available?

Sure! I think we're shipping .82 now. We will happily upgrade reflash it for you. Or if you sign the license agreement, and have a JTAG adapter, we can let you have an image to reflash it yourself. Probably easiest to let us upgrade for you though. Get an RMA # so we'll know what to do with your board when it arrives.