I have my new Parallax C3 Propeller micro computer running (or is it spinning?) and put it through its initial tests. It is accepting a standard keyboard input and outputting to a small NTSC video screen. It also has a VGA output I haven’t tested. NTSC video only requires 3 output pins on the CPU and the VGA needs 8. That means there is much less CPU overhead to run NTSC video.

The NTSC video output is quite adequate, good enough for a development display screen. I have seen a picture of the VGA screen output and it does look higher quality. If I can find a low cost and small VGA (well, VGA is small {640x480}) screen, I think it would be the way to go for long term use. The problem may be in finding such a low native resolution in a monitor these days. That can wait until there is a need. I have several VGA monitors I can test with.

I am evaluating the C3 for either use on the RoboBoat shore unit or the boat. Right now I have the feeling I may not use it for either as it has a lot of human interface I/O built in that I don’t need and won’t be using for RoboBoat applications. However, it is a very cool micro computer and I will certainly be writing some non-nautical applications for it. I need to get comfortable with low level assembler and high level Spin programming.

I think if I add an XBee wireless modem to the C3 I’ll be in business with a very handy stand alone wireless network terminal node for network communication and data gathering. That’s a good use for my 1 mw Xbees. I plan to move to high power 64 mw Xbees for the RoboBoat.

The C3 can be a stand alone “home base” for a wireless network home automation and control system.  If I pair up an Xbee with a Basic Stamp or another Propeller, I can dream up an almost unlimited number of wireless and non wireless applications.

• Temperature monitoring indoor/outdoor
• Various weather functions
• Home lighting control
• HVAC control system (I am an HVAC engineer)
• Garage door monitor and control.
• Machine control with stepper motors and RPM monitoring.
• Amateur Radio communications and control

I have just started to scratch the surface with options but I want to keep the focus here on RoboBoat development. I may have to take the C3 to another blog if I wander too far off course.

The above has been done as the complete XBee and Parallax write up has been moved here to RD's Workshop!