Controller

MINDSENSORS PSP-Nx Controller for LEGO® MINDSTORMS®

The controller is a PS2 controller with a matching receiver

There is an adapter to connect the receiver to a LEGO sensor port

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What is the PSP-Nx Controller?

Word Cloud

Why are these controllers important?

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations at all times.

• Attach the receiver into the adapter board

• A standard EV3/NXT cable will work with the adaptor board to the EV3

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Step 1: Assembling the Receiver

• Put two AA batteries in the controller’s hatch on the back

• Turn the controller on by sliding the switch on the back of the controller

• Press the connect button on the receiver while pressing the middle button on the remote

• Press some keys on the controller. If there is a green light on the adapter board, your controller is paired

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Step 2: Connect the Remote

• Download the necessary block online from http://www.mindsensors.com/ev3-and-nxt/32-psp-nx-combo-with-wireless-controller

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Step 3: Download Block

Reorder

Reorder the following

• assemble the receiver

• connect the remote

• download block

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

New Block: Mindsensors PSPNx

This new block should show up in the Yellow sensor block pallet

• Input 1 🡪 i2c: Do not change this input if you do not completely understand i2c (i2c is the data sent out by the EV3 UART ports)

• Input 2 🡪 Desired Button: Which button do you want to compare

• Input 3 🡪 Pressure: Enables or disables Button Pressure (Output 2)

• Output 1 🡪 Button Bits: Raw button value. Returns different integers based on the buttons pressed

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New Block: Mindsensors PSPNx

Multiple Choice

What input will be from the robot for controlling it?

• i2c, 2 buttons

• i2c, the sound sensor, and one button

• i2c, 2 buttons, and the pressure sensors on the robot

• Output 2 🡪 Button Pressure: How much is the desired button pressed in
  

• Output 3,4 🡪 Left Axis: Returns the X,Y values of the left axis
  

• Output 5,6 🡪 Right Axis: Returns the X,Y values of the right axis
  

• Output 7 🡪 Button pressed: Checks if the desired button is pressed
  

• Output 8 🡪 Success: Checks if data was read successfully

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New Block: Mindsensors PSPNx

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New Block: Wait – Mindsensors PSPNx

​To get to the Wait Mindsensors PSPNx mode, click Mindsensors PSPNx 🡪 Compare 🡪 Button Press

Input 1 🡪 i2c: Do not change this input if you do not completely understand i2c (i2c is the data sent out by the EV3 UART ports)

Input 2 🡪 Desired Button: Which button do you want to compare

Output 1 🡪 Success: Checks if data was read successfully

Warning: Read Error and False Readings

​A read error is when the outputs of the PSPNx blocks all read 0 continuously

The read error happens when the program is rapidly reading from the PSP-Nx remote

There is bug in the EV3 which causes this read error when the reading speed is too high which happens in the Wait block

Mindsensors’ Technical Support suggests that you use a loop instead of a wait until block to prevent using a Wait block

Multiple Choice

Which is a likely error you may face when using the controllers?

• Network connectivity issue through the wifi of the room

• A read error is when the outputs of the PSPNx blocks all read 1 continuously

• A read error is when the outputs of the PSPNx blocks all read 0 continuously

• Hardware malfunction

Multiple Choice

How can you address the issue of the PSPNx block reading 0?

• use a loop instead of wait until block

• use a wait until block instead of loop

• add a 30 millisecond delay into the loop

• ask your partner repeatedly

Warning: Read Error and False Readings

Unfortunately the block can occasionally give a false reading.

Mindsensors’ Technical Support suggests you add a 30 millisecond delay into the loop. The 30 millisecond delay is added to give time to prevent false readings.

We found that this delay only reduces the frequency of a false reading. It does not eliminate it. There are situations where the delay can help, but our tests showed that in some conditions a delay is not necessary

Multiple Choice

How can you address the issue of the false readings?

• use a loop instead of wait until block

• use a wait until block instead of loop

• add a 30 millisecond delay into the loop

• ask your partner repeatedly

Open Ended

What is meant by a false reading?

Challenge 1:

​Keep moving until the X button is pressed

Tips

You will need to use the Wait – Mindsensors PSPNx block described on page 7

Note: You can use a Wait block in this situation

Challenge 2:

Create a simple Remote Control program that waits for the Start button to be pressed before controlling the robot

Tips:

You will need the Mindsensors PSPNx Sensor block

In this situation, you will need to use the alternate code, described on page 8, for waiting until a button is pressed. The Wait for seconds block to reduce false readings will not be needed for this challenge

The X output for the joystick should be the steering

The Y output for the joystick should be the power

You will use the left joystick for both steering and power of the wheels