microcontroller application

1. INTRODUCTION TO
ROBOTICS AND
MICROCONTROLLERS
Instructors:
Tijjani “TJ” Mohammed and Tarek Abdel-Salam

2. Module Overview
 A general overview of what robots are, and the
essential components embedded within
 Relevant examples of microcontroller and robot
applications to help the participants understand
contexts and applications of these technologies
 Contextual understanding makes it easier to relate
programming efforts to basic science, math, or
engineering concepts

3. Student objectives
Upon completion of this module students should
be able to:
 Identify and describe key components of
microcontrollers and robots
 List typical applications of microcontrollers
 Relate number systems and conversions to
applications in robotics
 Calibrate the Boe-Bot servos prior to assembly
 Assemble and test a robot using Parallax Boe-Bot kit

4. Teacher objectives
Upon completion of this module instructors should
be able to:
 Prepare a presentation on the fundamentals of
microcontrollers and robotics
 Explain to students the basic building blocks of
microcontrollers including the CPU, memory, and
input/output.
 Explain number systems and their usefulness in
robotics and computing
 Walk students through the process of constructing
and testing a robot

5. What is a Microcontroller?
 A microcontroller is a kind of miniature computer
that found in all kinds of gizmos
 Generally speaking, if a device has buttons and a digital
display, chances are it also has a programmable
microcontroller brain.

6. Microcontrollers cont.
Microcontrollers are 'single chip' computers
specifically designed to:
 Read input devices, such as buttons and sensors
 Process data or information
 Control output devices, such as lights, displays,
motors and speakers

7.  Microcontrollers are placed in devices, or
embedded, for operation and control.
 Can you name other devices in your life that
have embedded control?
Embedded Control

8. Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller
 A microprocessor is the “brain” of a computer
system
 Generally referred to as the central processing
unit (CPU), the microprocessor by itself is
practically useless
 To be useful, one must have means of
communicating with it using input and output
devices
 One must also add memory (ROM and RAM) so
that the system can be programmed.

9. Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller Cont.
 A microcontroller is a computer chip designed for
control-oriented applications
 Unlike ordinary microprocessors, microcontrollers
have built-in features that make them operate almost
independent of additional circuitry
 This is possible because microcontrollers contain
things like
 memory (ROM, EPROM, RAM, etc)
 input and output ports
 timers
 serial and parallel communication capability
 analog-to-digital converters

10.  The BASIC Stamp 2 embeds a microcontroller,
the PIC16C57, on a module to make
programming and use very simple, yet very
powerful.
 Additional components on the module provide
everything needed to systems and applications,
like robotics.
Boe-Bot’s Brain: The BASIC Stamp

11. BASIC Stamp Module Components
5V Regulator
Regulates voltage
to 5V with a supply of
5.5VDC to 15VDC
Resonator
Sets the speed at which
instructions are processed.
EEPROM
Stores the your
PBASIC program.
Interpreter Chip
Reads the BASIC
program from the
EEPROM and executes
the instructions.
Serial Signal
Conditioning
Conditions voltage
signals between PC serial
connection (+/- 12V) and
BASIC Stamp (5V) for
Programming.

12. So What is a Robot?
 A robot is a machine that gathers information
about its environment (senses) and uses that
information (thinks) to follow instructions to do
work (acts)
 The “sensing” part provides input to the robot
through switches, light sensors,
 The thinking part is the microcontroller brain
 The acting part could be through lights, motors,
actuators, sounds, etc

13. Robots and Applications
 Robots come in many shapes and sizes

14. Ecological
Data Collection
EME Systems
Undersea Research
Harbor Branch
Institute
JP Aerospace
Test Launch
High-Tech and Aerospace use

15. Fundamentals of Electricity
 Electric Current (I), measured in amperes (A)
 Resistance (R), measured in Ohms (Ω)
 Voltage (V), measured in volts (V)
 A complete path or circuit is required for current to flow
R
V
I

16. Fundamentals of Electricity Cont.
 Robotics requires a basic understanding of electricity and
simple wiring diagrams
 The relationship between current, voltage and resistance
is expressed by what is known as Ohm’s Law, variations
of which are expressed below:
V = IR; I = V/R; R = V/I
R
V
I
+V
R
+ -

17. Module 1 Activities
1.1 Installing your robot’s Software (PBASIC)
1.2 Identifying key components of the Boe-Bot
System
1.3 Assembling initial Boe-Bot components
1.4 Introduction to breadboarding and circuit
construction
1.5 Testing for communication between the Boe-
Bot and the BASIC stamp editor
1.6 Calibrating the servos
1.7 Assembling the Boe-Bot

18. Where We’re Heading…
 Simple programming to cause Boe-Bot to
perform basic tasks
 Adding input and output circuits
 Making sounds
 Measuring and calculating
 Distances
 Angles
 Speed
 Rotation

19. Simple to Complex
 Timing and signal measurements
Working with equations

20. Observe, measure, confirm

21. More Signals Measurements

22. Graphical illustration of concepts

23. Analyze different
waveforms

24. Use Accelerometers to Measure
 Acceleration
 Tilt and tilt angle
 Incline
 Rotation
 Vibration
 Collision
 Gravity

25. Something for Everyone

26. STAMP Plot For Data Analyses

27. Process Control Module for Advanced
Concepts
 Sensing and measurements
 Signal Conditioning
 Data logging
 Graphical analyses
 Feedback continuous control

28. Resources
 Parallax Educational Resources
 http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/edu/index.asp
 What is a Robot?