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Element Direct

Element Direct

Robot Accessories from Element Products, Inc.

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BAM FAQ help edit template

List FAQs

Questions

  1. Can the BAM be used with the Roomba or Scooba?
  2. Can the BAM work with an Apple Mac running OSX?
  3. Which pins does the BAM connect to on the Create Cargo Bay Connector?
  4. What does the LED on the BAM indicate?
  5. I thought Bluetooth only worked over short distances but the BAM claims a long range?
  6. Is it safe to leave the BAM plugged into the Create when the robot is charging on its base charger?
  7. How many BAM's can be connected to the same PC host?

Answers

Q: Can the BAM be used with the Roomba or Scooba?
A: No, the BAM was designed to be used with the iRobot Create only.
Q: Can the BAM work with an Apple Mac running OSX?
A: Yes, the BAM has been tested to be compatible with a Mac running OS X with an internal Bluetooth card. The Bluetooth SPP (Serial Port Profile) is a cross platform standard so the BAM should work with any Bluetooth Host from a PC to a PDA. The Mac does need to have an internal Bluetooth card or external USB adapter though.
Q: Which pins does the BAM connect to on the Create Cargo Bay Connector?
A: The BAM connects to the RXD, TXD, Switched 5V and Gnd pins.
Q: What does the LED on the BAM indicate?
A: The LED indicates the current state of the BAM:
  • When the Create & BAM are first powered on, the LED will flash 26 times quickly.
  • When the BAM is connected to a Bluetooth host, the LED will flash once per second.
  • When the BAM is disconnected from a host, the LED flashes once every 3 seconds.
Q: I thought Bluetooth only worked over short distances but the BAM claims a long range?
A: There are several classes of Bluetooth. Most Bluetooth devices like wireless mice and headsets are Class 2 low power Bluetotooth devices. The BAM is a Class 1 high power Bluetooth device. It has an operational range of up to 100m or 300ft. The BAM will have similar range to 802.11 WiFi.
Q: Is it safe to leave the BAM plugged into the Create when the robot is charging on its base charger?
A: Yes, that's completely safe. The expansion port's power supply is operational as long as the Create's power is turned on.
Q: How many BAM's can be connected to the same PC host?
A: Up to 7 BAM's can be connected to the same Bluetooth Host. More than 7 BAM's can operate in the same area with multiple host computers.