ftcSoundBar is a sound card for fischertechnik TXT4.0/TXT/TX-Controllers, Arduino, ftDuino and Raspeberry based on an espressif LyraT board.
It has multiple connectors, so yit could be used in various configurations:
- wifi based WEB-UI
- wifi based RESTAPI
- I2C-bus Interface (TXT, TXT4.0)
Please checkout the article about ftcSoundBar in ft:pedia 4/2020 as well.
ftcSoundBar now supports TXT4.0-Controllers and RoboProCoding. Additionally, in I2C-mode the ftcSoundBar don't need a wifi any more.
In a first step, run the ftcSoundBar standalone - just playing some fancy musik.
ftcSoundBars's configuration and your musik files are stored on a SD card. Please format a SD Card as FAT32 and store some mp3-files in the root folder. Additionaly, please create a text file named ftcSoundBar.conf and store it in the root folder as well:
WIFI=1
WIFI_SSID=<SSID>
WIFI_PASSWORD=<Password>
TXT_AP_MODE=0
I2C_MODE=1
DEBUG=0
STARTUP_VOLUME=15
HOSTNAME=ftcSoundBar
Add your wifi's SSID and Password and plug the SD card in the ftcSoundBars SD card slot.
Connect your speakers with the fischertechnik/Maerklin plugs at the right side of the device. Alternatively, you yould use headphones at the PHONEJACK.
There are two micro USB connectors POWER and UART at the left side of the board. Connect POWER to an USB charger - with at least 1A -.
The devices starts, the green LED between CPU and DIP switched will start flashing. After some seconds, flashing stops. Your device is now connected to your wifi.
Notice: if your device don't stops flashing after some seconds, please check your SD-Card and wifi settings in your ftcSoundBar.conf file.
Enter http://ftcSoundBar in your browser to access the webUI of the ftcSoundBar. Using the marked setup- and ftcSoundBar icons you can flip between the main and the configuration view:
Try to play some songs on the main view.
Notice: Maybe, you won't see the update firmware button in the configuration view. Don't worry and read the firmware update section for more information.
Please check your prefreed controller and programm language. Follow up the links to get a short description how to use it.
| Controller | RoboProCoding | RoboPro | C++ | Phyton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXT 4.0 | i2c | |||
| TXT | i2c bus local wifi TXT AP mode |
cfw | ||
| TX | i2c bus | |||
| ftDuino | i2c bus | |||
| TX-PI | local wifi | |||
| RaspberryPi | local wifi | |||
| Arduino ATMEL | i2c bus | |||
| ESP | i2c bus |
If you're upgrading the firmware the first time, please read the firmware upgrade guide.
Shortcut for experienced users:
- save
ftcSoundBar.binandloader.binin the root folder of your SD card - connect your ftcSoundBar to your local wifi
- Press
update firmwarebutton in the settings view
| Option | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WIFI | 0..1 | 1 - use wifi |
| WIFI_SSID | SSID of your local wifi | |
| WIFI_PASSWORD | Password of your local wifi | |
| TXT_AP_MODE | 0..1 | In most cases 0 set it 1 to use the TXT AP option |
| I2C_MODE | 0..1 | 0 - off 1 - on |
| DEBUG | 0..1 | In standard 0. 1 to get additional debug information in the console log. |
| STARTUP_VOLUME | 0..100 | Speaker volume after reseting the device. |
| HOSTNAME | Set a different hostname than ftcSoundBar. Just needed to run 2 devices in the same wifi |
This Chapter describes how to build up your own ftcSoundBar from scratch. If you prefer to work with a prebuild system, you could purchase one at www.gundermann.org. If you have already a ftcSoundBar please continue with chapter 2.