To program the SumoBot, the Propeller FLiP must be connected to the computer with a USB cable (or optionally with a WX WiFi module) and powered on. Let's go through the steps.
To load the program, the Propeller FLiP must be connected to the computer with a USB cable. Then, BlocklyProp Solo needs to see the connection. The connection is called a communication port, and BlocklyProp should automatically detect and display the port.
The SumoBot WX board has a POWER switch with three settings:
For this example, we are running a program that sends a “Hello” message to BlocklyProp Solo’s terminal. We are not trying to move the servo motors. So, POWER can be set to 1.
If you accidentally set POWER to 2, that’s okay. Just be ready to catch your SumoBot before it rolls off the table if someone using it before you loaded a program that makes it move.
The code will load into the Propeller chip RAM (Random Access Memory). The Propeller chip executes the code, and sends the message back to the BlocklyProp Terminal.
Blank Terminal? — If the "Hello, I'm a SumoBot!" message does not appear, wait a moment and click the Run once button again. Some computer COM ports need a moment! Alternatively, you can add a Pause block from the Control category at the beginning of your programs.