Newbie needing help to program brain for custom application and standalone project.

**amayotte** · 04-25-2012, 12:45 PM

Hello.

I have tried to find these answers on the forum but there doesn't seem to be one for exactly what I'm trying to do.

First off, I have a V4 brain and yes I am just starting to play with it.
I went to the fusion website and it says that the MDX software is no longer supported. What does a person use to program the brain with then?
I would also like to learn to program the brain with C or C#. What would the steps be to do this and which language would be best to use?
Do I need to use MPLAB?

THere are two projects I have:

One is to read a level transmitter and show the level on my computer for a tank. So I can use a PC with that project.

Second is I want to do some controlling on my sailboat, where I don't have a PC. What steps do I take to program my needs into it for that situation.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Adam

**Iamthehor** · 05-03-2012, 10:27 AM

For your sailboat, you need a computer. FB can't do anything without it (well, it can, but nothing usefull). I believe there is an add-on project in the subforum that might meet your needs. Otherwise you should look at some of the other options (arduino, raspberry pi + FB could be interesting). From your post, I'm not sure you understand that the brain is only an INTERFACE between the computer & the inputs/outputs, it has no logic/memory onboard. it converts analog data to digital & passes to USB & vice-versa, everything else is handled in software on the computer.

MDX is no longer being developed. I believe that FuseGL will work with the V3/V4 (i think I remember reading that, I'm going to test as soon as I get some time, which might be never...). It's still in beta, so I don't think its linked on the website yet. It's available from a link in this forum.

There is code floating about to control a V3/V4 via VB.net that I could send you if you give me your email address. It was written by MX270a, but he's no longer active here. It wouldn't be hard to move it over to C or C#.

**amayotte** · 05-03-2012, 12:01 PM

Thanks a lot.

I will pm you and get some of that info off you.

I would like to know how to interface with the brain on my own.
I'm assuming the brain saves IO states in registers or something that you could program the computer to call up?

Thanks,
Adam

**2k1Toaster** · 05-03-2012, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by amayotte

I would like to know how to interface with the brain on my own.
I'm assuming the brain saves IO states in registers or something that you could program the computer to call up?

Thanks,
Adam

If you want to do it on your own, there is info here: http://www.mp3car.com/fb-documentati...-protocol.html

There is lots more throughout this forum too.

The Fusion Brain only does what the PC tells it to do. If you disconnect the PC, it retains its current state until power off. Upon power up, all outputs are off.