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Issue #236 March 2010 — Robotics
Task Manager
Need-to-Know Info, by C. J. Abate
Priority Interrupt
A Matter of History, by Steve Ciarcia
New Product News, edited by John Gorsky
FEATURE ARTICLES
A Sensor System for Robotics Applications
by Guido Ottaviani
If you’re developing an interactive robotics platform, you’ll have to incorporate a well-designed sensor system at some point. This article covers how to add “senses” to a robotics design, from sight to hearing to touch and more. p. 14
Keywords: Robotics, sensors, Arduino Diecimila, ADC, I2C, MAX127, gas, TGS822, ultrasonic, SRF08, virtual force field, vector field histogram, infrared, GP2D120, photresistor, photo-interrupter, sound, OPA2244, NE567, VCO
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
RFID-Based Liquid Control (Part 2)
Monitoring System Implementation
by Brian Millier
This article series details how to build an RFID-based controller for monitoring dispensed liquid nitrogen from a tank in a laboratory setting. Here you learn about the circuitry, command structure, and system operation. p. 24
Keywords: RFID, liquid nitrogen, USB, Vinculum VDRIVE2, ATmega32, BASCOM-AVR, multiplex, SPI, DS1307, RTC, LCD, MC14052
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Serial Network Hub (Part 1)
Network Topology and Design Planning
by Peter Montgomery
If you’re building a custom multipart animatronics or robotics system, consider adding a serial network hub to run the show. Here you learn why building a six-port RS-485 hub for a custom network packet system can simplify node wiring and more. p. 30
Keywords: RS-485, network, hub, animatronics, Halloween, full duplex, master, slave, noise, topology, UART
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Design and Program a “Minirobot”
by Marco Aiello
Control capability is at the heart of most robotics applications, particularly when object avoidance is a project requirement. This article details how to build a mobile “minirobot” and implement an autonomous navigation system. p. 38
Keywords: Robotics, Linux, dsPIC30F2010, PWM, Olimex AT91SAM9260 dev. board, BJT, MPLAB, MATLAB, gcc
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Calibrated Decibel Meter Design
by Larry Cicchinelli
You can build your own calibrated decibel meter with a little know-how and four main parts: an audio amplifier, a meter circuit, a display, and a power supply. With this design, you can accurately measure the output level of most audio systems. p. 46
Keywords: Decibel meter, audio, db, dbm, amplifier, gain, LM833, attenuator, display driver, LED, LM3915, LM3916
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
COLUMNS
FROM THE BENCH
Sun Tracker (Part 2)
Power Up and Start Tracking
by Jeff Bachiochi
The first part of this series detailed a custom time-keeping design called a “sun tracker.” Now it’s time to power up the tracker, start keeping time, and display the data on an LCD. p. 54
Keywords: Solar, tracking, LCD, light sensor, ISL29102, servo, PWM, RTC, LCD, PIC16F1934
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES
Putting C Language to the Test (Part 1)
A Sudoku Puzzle-Solving Program
by George Martin
You have a handle on C language. Now it’s time to write a complete program from start to finish. How about a program for solving a Sudoku puzzle? Read on to learn how it’s done. p. 62
Keywords: Sudoku, C, IDE, DEVC++, CC386IDE, UML, MagicDraw, database
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
SILICON UPDATE
Tales from the Crypto
A Look at Embedded Design Security
by Tom Cantrell
The bad guys are out to steal your design, your code, your tools, your customers, and anything else that isn’t nailed down. Forget about trust, every designer needs to pay more attention to verification. Fortunately, you can use some silicon to help you keep your secrets safe. p. 68
Keywords: Cryptography, security, Crypto-Authentication, AT88SA102S, SHA-256, AT88SA10HS, JAVAN EV, client, host, CryptoRF, CyrptoMemory, RFID
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
BONUS FEATURE ARTICLE
The Arduino-Based
“MiniEric” Robot
by Titus Gabriel Petrut
The “MiniEric” is a general-purpose robot used for experimentation. It includes an Arduino board and several microcontrollers for the smaller modules. You can build a similar robot to experiment with at your workbench.
Keywords:
(This article appeared in Circuit Cellar Digital Plus. Subscribers get immediate access to Bonus material. Click here for Digital Plus subscription options.)
PREVIEW
Issue #237 April 2010 — Embedded Programming
◊ Converter Performance Management: Design Tips for Working with On-chip ADCs
◊ Smart Control: An Innovative Approach to Reflow Soldering
◊ Serial Network Hub (Part 2): Circuit Design and Usage
◊ THE DARKER SIDE Picoammeter Design
◊ ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE Totally Featureless Clock (Part 2): Hardware
◊ FROM THE BENCH Read-Only Memories: Audio Applications with a Playback IC
◊ SILICON UPDATE Wizard Lizard: Start Working with a Multidimensional SBC
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