Difference between revisions of "RC08MicroController"

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Just as in 2007. an ARM based microcontroller is used in 2008. The microcontrollers taks though will be reduced from last year. Its main function is to run code to decode incomming messages from the wireless system and perform the appropriate actions. The microcontroller also does feed-back controller on the motors and on the robot itself. The actual code for the microcontroller falls under firmware.
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The heart of the on-robot electrical system is the micro-controller. It is the central point from which commands are received from the wireless system, interpreted, and sent to the peripherals. Just as in 2007, an ARM based micro-controller is used in 2008, but unlike in 2007 the micro-controller will not be the sole device for all of the computational task. This year some tasks such as reading encoders are handled by a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The micro-controller will still have the task of decoding packets, interpreting them, and executing commands. Since the wireless system will be a two-way protocol the micro-controller will also monitor and report the status information for the robot such as battery health, kicker charge, ball presence, and errors.
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===Selecting a Micro-controller===
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Even though the LPC2138 proved to have good performance for a relatively chip price other, similar controllers were evaluated.  
  
 
==Tasks==
 
==Tasks==
 
*[ ] Generate an I/O spec
 
*[ ] Generate an I/O spec
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*[ ] This means we have to wait until all the other systems are fully spec'd and ready for design
 
*[ ] Find a part  
 
*[ ] Find a part  
*[ ] Begin development with a dev kit
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*[ ] Evaluate based on number and type of I/O, availability of dev tools in linux, support in general community
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      package size, current and voltage characteristics, and cost.
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*[ ] Purchase and begin development with a dev kit
 
*[ ] Spec and find the support hardware. (Oscillator, LEDs, switches, etc.)
 
*[ ] Spec and find the support hardware. (Oscillator, LEDs, switches, etc.)
 
*[ ] Schematic design
 
*[ ] Schematic design

Revision as of 17:51, 26 September 2007

The heart of the on-robot electrical system is the micro-controller. It is the central point from which commands are received from the wireless system, interpreted, and sent to the peripherals. Just as in 2007, an ARM based micro-controller is used in 2008, but unlike in 2007 the micro-controller will not be the sole device for all of the computational task. This year some tasks such as reading encoders are handled by a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The micro-controller will still have the task of decoding packets, interpreting them, and executing commands. Since the wireless system will be a two-way protocol the micro-controller will also monitor and report the status information for the robot such as battery health, kicker charge, ball presence, and errors.

Selecting a Micro-controller

Even though the LPC2138 proved to have good performance for a relatively chip price other, similar controllers were evaluated.

Tasks

  • [ ] Generate an I/O spec
*[ ] This means we have to wait until all the other systems are fully spec'd and ready for design
  • [ ] Find a part
*[ ] Evaluate based on number and type of I/O, availability of dev tools in linux, support in general community
     package size, current and voltage characteristics, and cost.
  • [ ] Purchase and begin development with a dev kit
  • [ ] Spec and find the support hardware. (Oscillator, LEDs, switches, etc.)
  • [ ] Schematic design
  • [ ] Fabricate demo
  • [ ] Implement wireless protocol in firmware
  • [ ] Build base station using dev kit
  • [ ] Build remote control.
  • [ ] Implement closed-loop motor control in firmware

Specifications

Micro-Controller

Schematics

Schematics

Parts

Micro-Controller

Quick Specs
Data Sheet

Articles

Links