ANT Forum

Hi,

I'm a german student. In this semester i have to program an android app that communicates with the tacx bushido ergotrainer and show you some data at the android phone.

We've got the ergotrainer and the console. At first i installed some apps like ipbike, what is compatible to the bushido (information from directory). But it doesn't work. Is this information wrong?

Important for me is the question, if it is possible to connect with an android phone (for testing Sony Xperia S) to the tacx Bushido ergotrainer or console? Or is it a private network with no chance to connect?

I would be pleased if you may help me with this project.      

Afaik there is no ANT+ profile that applies to the Bushido.
So there is no public specification of ANT communication parameters (radio frequency, interval, device type id, ...),
and there's no specification of the data payload.

You could ask Tacx, if they are willing to disclose thaat information to you.

Besides, isn't it a bit strange that you "must program" an app, if there's no evidence that this can be done from publically available specifications? Do they expect you to hack that thing?

Cheers,
OMB      

Thanks for your answer. I've already contacted tacx, but they aren't allowed to give me any information. And my Professor didn't know much about ant+ and thougt that all devices are free to use. He don't want me to hack it.

And i thougt it is compatible with the profiles of cadence and speed according to the Directory. But now the ergotrainer isn't listed anymore (2 days before it was). And the console is still in the Directory and has 4 profiles.

http://www.thisisant.com/directory/bushido-t1980-console/

Then i have to ask, if it's ok to use a second ant+ stick and simulate a sensor, so that i can run an app for ant+. It's because they want to use ant+ for another bike later on.      

I assume that the listing of the Bushido console in the ANT+ directory means that it can receivedata from these devices. I know it for sure for heart rate, 90% sure for power.

Cheers,
OMB      

Hi manu_90 and OMB,

Thanks for your input on this one.

When we saw this post appear we checked this directory listing, and found that the trainer does not in fact support ANT+ bike speed or ANT+ bike cadence, so the listing has now been removed. I'd like to apologise for this error and any inconvenience caused. We will also follow up to confirm that the listing for the console is correct wrt speed and cadence support - thanks OMB for confirming HR and PWR.

The listings in the product directory include both ANT+ certified product (that has been verified by the ANT+ cert team) AND older products that were allowed to be listed as self verified. (These are all marked with the note: "*This product is self verified.") It is possible that errors have crept in through the self verification process - if you spot any more please let us know and we will follow up. All new products have to go through full ANT+ certification to be listed on the directory.

Manu90 - It is possible to connect ANT+ sensors to a Sony Xperia S and view the data, either using existing apps such as ipBike or by building your own apps. If you are building your own android app then I recommend using the Android ANT+ SDK as this will make your task much easier.

Info on using ANT / ANT+ in Android: http://www.thisisant.com/developer/ant/ant-in-android/
Info on ANT+: http://www.thisisant.com/developer/ant-plus/ant-plus-basics/

Kind regards,

Kat
     

Thanks for your answers.

We already changed the topic of my project. Now I have to program an Android app, which is able to connect to "opened/public" devices. I will get a second ANT+ USB stick for developing. But I have some questions about the ANT+ SDK. I think it's better to start a new threat.