69 lines
3.3 KiB
Markdown
69 lines
3.3 KiB
Markdown
# Getting started
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Welcome to the SOAR board - this is a very simple board designed to hold our small expansion sensors.
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Whilst you may decide to connect an expansion sensor directly to your control board - if you think that you may change motor drivers at some point, then this board gives you the option of keeping your sensors separate.
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## Setup your SOAR
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The first thing you should do is add the expansion sensor to your SOAR board - it is a lot easier to solder it on when the SOAR board is flat on your desk.
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Our guide to adding the [expansion board is here](/expansionadding.html).
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### Attach the header
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For this example we'll show you how to connect a stackable header, as it's the most complex.
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Due to the length of the stackable headers pins, it can sometimes be a hassle to get them through the holes on the board.
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We've found that if you slide up the spacer on the stackable header so that it is near the top, you can get the pins into the boards header holes a lot easier and then slide the spacer back down again.
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Once you have your header in place, use some plasticine to make sure the board is level and then solder away. You should solder a single pin first, then make sure the header is level - if it isn't then apply the soldering iron to the pin again and move the header until it is correct.
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*Note* - the image above shows the SOAR board ready for the header to be soldered **without** the expansion sensor attached - you can assemble the board in this order if you want (some people prefer it), but it's easier to add the expansion sensor first in our opinion.
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Now that your board is set up, it's time to configure your Raspberry Pi so that you can use it.
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## Setting up your Pi
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Before we can start using the SOAR board we need to enable the interface that the board uses on your Raspberry Pi.
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The SOAR board is controlled using the SPI interface.
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### Enable SPI in Pixel
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If you are using the graphical interface on your Raspberry Pi then click on your main menu icon, move down to *Preferences* and click on the *Raspberry Pi Configuration* menu item. Once open click on the *Interfaces* tab and you should see something like in the image below.
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Make sure that the line labelled SPI is set to enabled.
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Once you click Ok you may be promtped to reboot your Raspberry Pi - go ahead and reboot.
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### Enable SPI on the command line
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If you are only using the command line on your Raspberry Pi then you will need to use the text version of the Raspberry Pi configuration tool to enable the interfaces.
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Type the following to bring up the configuration interface:
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``` bash
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$ sudo raspi-config
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```
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Once the menu is showing, scroll down to the *Advanced Options* menu and press Enter.
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Now we'll need to enable the SPI interface, so move down to the *SPI* menu and press Enter. You'll be asked if you want to enabled SPI - select *Yes* and you will see a confirmation and be returned to the main menu.
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When you are returned to the main menu, move down to the *Finish* option (pressing the right arrow key twice will get you there) and press enter.
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You have now enabled the interface you need to use your board. |