using servoPod for 6-legged walker

[mrp]

hello,
im from germany and want to build a 6 legged walking pod. i have got some questions before i buy the controller (i'm not that good yet, so sry for bad questions):

1. can the servoPod stear 18 (20) servos?

2. what's the difference between the isoPod and the servoPod?

3. i want to control the servos directly with my connected handheld, so i dont use memory on board (perhaps for other things)...is this possible?

4. could i use the second rs-232 interface to send some data to my pc (having an serial-wireless interface inbetween)?

5. if i connect 20 servos, are there still enough ports to connect a compass, and some ir sensors + perhaps a CMU cam?

im a student so i try to know everything will work before i buy such an expensive board...

thx martin!!!

[nmitech]

1. can the servoPod stear 18 (20) servos?
- Yes, as many as 26 servos at once.

2. what's the difference between the isoPod and the servoPod?
- ServoPod has more memory and Analog input channels. See this comparision table,
http://www.newmicros.com/store/product_details/podmatrix.html

3. i want to control the servos directly with my connected handheld, so i dont use memory on board (perhaps for other things)...is this possible?
- Yes! I assumed your handheld can communicate data serially, or some sources of I/Os interface...

4. could i use the second rs-232 interface to send some data to my pc (having an serial-wireless interface inbetween)?
- Absolutely!

5. if i connect 20 servos, are there still enough ports to connect a compass, and some ir sensors + perhaps a CMU cam?
- Atleast 16 dedicated General Purpose I/Os, and 8 analog input channels are available on IsoPod, and more A/D on ServoPod.

im a student so i try to know everything will work before i buy such an expensive board...
- IsoPod should have enough I/Os for your application. But you may consider the ServoPod since your application seem to be required more memory to handle that many servos and data communication back and forth to your PC, and handheld, etc...