Multiple 2.4GHz mBot operation

#1

I’m trying to understand how communications works with multiple 2.4GHz mBots in a collocated (i.e. classroom) environment. (So far I have only tested with a single 2.4GHz unit, but am trying to anticipate the situation where several units are being operated simultaneously).

Say I have a handful of mBots, as well as a corresponding number of computers + 2.4GHz USB adapters. How is a one-to-one association between an mBot and a development system established? (I understanding pairing in a Bluetooth environment, but can’t see how the equivalent matching is done for 2.4GHz units).

Would appreciate any input on this, or direction towards appropriate documentation if I’ve overlooked something. Thanks.

#2

Thanks for your question. You will have a dongle and module for this version.
There is two modes for 2.4GHz module, turn it into flash mode first. Then the dongle which plug into PC first will be connected first automatically. As long as it’s connected, it won’t disconnect within 10 meters.

#3

Thanks for your your response @una. By ‘flash’ mode I assume you mean to first turn on the 2.4GHz mBot module without the USB dongle enabled (connected), so the blue LED on the mBot module will be flashing? If so, it would make sense that the module would then connect to the first dongle it saw powered.

Assuming one pair was connected, would this process then simply be repeated for add’l modules / dongles? (I would try it to confirm, but I have only one mBot at the moment).

Also, if a module lost it’s pairing with its dongle in a multi-unit environment (assuming perhaps because it went out of range), I’m assuming it would simply re-establish communication with the same dongle when it came back into range?
(I can see a possible problem however if more than one unit lost communication with its dongle, but hopefully this would not be a frequent situation).

Thanks again. Again, I’m just trying to understand how communication works reliably between multiple 2.4GHz modules and multiple USB dongles.

#4

My pleasure.
“so the blue LED on the mBot module will be flashing?” Actually you need to press the button on the top of module, the blue LED starts to flash quickly.

"Assuming one pair was connected, would this process then simply be repeated for add’l modules / dongles? "
YES

“if a module lost it’s pairing with its dongle in a multi-unit environment (assuming perhaps because it went out of range), I’m assuming it would simply re-establish communication with the same dongle when it came back into range?” YES, but if you want to change a new dongle, you can press the button to restart the flash again.

#5

Ok, great … thanks again for the quick response @una. I did not initially note the small button on the top of the 2.4GHz module, but do now see the blue LED flashing quickly when I press it. This is a mode I wasn’t aware of. I appreciate you also confirming the process for adding additional module / dongle pairs, and for indicating what happens if communications is temporarily interrupted. (By the way, is this indicated in the documentation somewhere that I may have missed)?

I guess I will now also need to buy a few more mBots so that I can check things out further! :smile:

Thank you again … your responses were very helpful.

#6

Hey Larry,

did you have been successful with operating mutliple mBots simultaneously? For my current project I want to buy a scond mBot and try out different use cases…

Regards
Raphael

#7

Hi Raphael -

Sorry for the delayed response as I really don’t play with the mBots much anymore or monitor the forum. Unfortunately I never did follow up to try to see if I could get several units paired simultaneously. (Not saying it doesn’t work … I just headed in a different direction and never tried it). Sorry I can’t help you out.

Larry

#8

Hi Raphael,

As you know, we mark the 2.4G version mBot as suitable for classroom use.
That means multiple mBots can work simultaneously in the same classroom.
Each 2.4G module and USB dongle for one mBot has been paird together in advance, so it is plug and play and you won’t affect the other mBots. Once the 2.4G module and USB dongle mixed together, you can also pair each 2.4G module with its 2.4G adapter again.

#9

Hi Larry,

nevertheless, thanks very much for your message. I think the “tec_support” answer helps me quite well… :slight_smile:

Raphael

#10

Dear tec_support,

Thank you very much for answering my question. The point, that each 2.4G module and Dongle do have a unique serial connection, was quite helpful.

If I use the mBlock Software with the visual coded logic blocks, is there a way to say: mBot 1 please run this coded block, and mBot 2 please do this… simultaneously?

(Setup is: 1 laptop, opened mBlock software, 2 mBots)

Regards
Raphael

#11

Hi Raphael,

That is not possible since the mBlock software on one PC can only conneted to one robot at a same time.

#12

Ok, thanks a lot.

#13