Lab 4- Intro to using Wii remotes

1. Lab 4- Intro to using Wii remotes Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

2. Objectives- • To learn about the wii remotes, their technology, and their capabilities. • To learn how to interface the Wii remotes with LabView for the robot design project. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

3. Each PC is assigned a numbered Bluetooth dongle (located in the front right USB slot) and 2 Wii remotes (has corresponding number + letters “A” or “B”). Make sure all of the pieces match since they can only communicate amongst each other. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

4. Connecting the Wii remotes to the PC via Bluetooth: • You will need to launch the Bluetooth software located at • Start > Programs > Bluetooth> Bluetooth Settings • 2. You should see 2 device icons, click on a device and press Bluetooth > connect • To active the Bluetooth on the Wii remotes, press and hold the “1” and “2” buttons. • Once they are synced repeat the same process with the other remote • Note- Each device icon is associated to a particular Wii remote so when trying to establish a connection you may need to try both Wii remotes to find the right one. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

5. Testing the Wii remote connection: To verify we have a connection we need to launch the “Wiimote Test .exe” file. From this window we can press any button and see its representation within the software. Take a moment to see and experiment with the various features. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

6. Interfacing LabView with the Wii remote: Open the Folder containing the Labview Wii remote Vi from the desktop. Today we will be using the “Acquisition+IR(Polled).vi” lab This lab sheet is similar to the test is similar to the Wiimote Test program except with a LabView feel and we can examine its interworkings Note- You need to have the Wii remotes connected prior to opening the Vi Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

7. Understanding and exploring what is going on: Open and examine the Block Panel to get a feel for what is used to make this sheet. Again use Footnotes, Context help windows, and Help to better your understanding of how the various components are interacting with one another. Pay special attention to the block labeled “Get Wiimote Data” as this is a very important block for your project. With the Context help window open hover over the “Get Wiimote Data” block and paying note to its input and output signals. Now do the same for the wire called Wiimote State You should be able to see all the different information and information types that are being transmitted via this wire connection. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

8. Gaining access to Wii remote data: In its present state we do not have access to the discrete information pieces and therefore must make some modifications. Right click on the Wiimote State wire and go to Cluster and Variant Pallete Add a block called “Unbundle By Name” and drag to expand it Connect this new block to the Wiimote State wire Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

9. Additional Notes: http://wiibrew.org/w/images/9/9e/Wiimote_axis2.png Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

10. Assignment: You now need to figure out how to extract some data from the Wii remote. Add the additional functionality of charts (Waveform Chart) to display the readings from the accelerometer along at least one of the axis (X,Y,Z). 2. Using this information determine the Min/Max limits for the accelerometer. (Note- the scale units are Gs) 3. From my website download the “Wii remote Questions” and answer its questions. Append your answers to your lab report. (Note- Use the links in the document and other online sources to answer the questions) When finished DO NOT SAVE any changes you made on the lab sheet Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez

11. Southern Methodist University Bryan Rodriguez