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Table of Contents
Task
Manager
Model
Robot,
by Jennifer Huber
Priority
Interrupt
Beach
Days,
by Steve Ciarcia
New
Product News,
edited by John Gorsky
—Feature
Article —
Mini
Rover 7
Electronic
Compassing for Mobile Robotics
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|
Read
it now!
Joseph
Miller
Electronic compassing
is one of the most intelligent ways to provide
absolute heading information for a mobile
robot. In this article, Joseph explains why
the PNI V2Xe compass turned out to be the
best fit for his Mini Rover 7 robot, which
he modeled after the NASA/JPL Rocky 7 Mars
rover. p. 14
Keywords:
Robotics, compass,
mobile, navigation, GPS, gyroscope, magnetic,
distortion, V2Xe, 8051, CStamp
Sponsored
by Robo Nexus
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—Feature
Article —
BasicCards
101 (Part 2):
Use in a Liquid Nitrogen Monitor
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|
Read
it now!
by Brian Millier
Now
that you’re familiar with ZeitControl’s BasicCard,
it’s time to take a closer look at the process
of programming one and incorporating it in
a design. Brian shows you how he integrated
BasicCard technology in the design of a liquid
nitrogen generator. p. 24
Keywords:
BasicCard, programming,
smartcard, Futurlec 8535, AT90S8535, BASIC
Sponsored
by MCS Electronics
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Build
a Small Robotics Platform
Ingo
Cyliax
Inspired by the robots used by public
works departments to investigate pipe damage in
local sewage systems, Ingo set out to build his
own robotic surveillance unit. Although small, this
RCM3610-based robot boasts bump sensors and an odometer.
Whether you need an inexpensive surveillance solution
or an upgradeable base module, this robotics platform
is the first step in the right direction. p.
30
Keywords:
Robot, chassis, tank, dozer, RCM3610, L293D, H-bridge,
sensors, RF modem, compass, Vector 2x
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here for a password.)
Low-Cost
Intelligent Sensors Network
Victor Kremin
Flash
Innovation 2003 First Prize Winner
Victor’s 68HC908QY4-based intelligent sensors network
is an inexpensive solution for applications that
require low-speed, two-wire bidirectional data communication.
A simple time-triggered protocol ensures a predictable
data delivery time. The quasi-harmonic constant
frequency network signals are sheltered from electromagnetic
compatibility problems. p. 38
Keywords:
Network, sensors, 68HC908, carrier, host controller
(If you have pop-ups disabled, click
here for a password.)
Robot
Upgrade
Use a Microcontroller to Emulate an I2C
EEPROM
Jay Francis
It’s amazing what you can do with a PIC and a toy
robot. Jay presents an interesting project. He came
up with a method of interfacing to the electronics
of a Spybot robot by using a PIC16F876 to emulate
an I2C
EEPROM. The result is an enhanced robotics system
that’s the perfect foundation for more complex designs.
p. 48
Keywords:
Robotics, I2C, EEPROM, PIC16F876, emulation,
Spybot, MindScript, NQC
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here for a password.)
APPLIED
PCs
A Wireless Ethernet Solution for the People
Fred
Eady
Finding the right wireless solutions for your embedded
projects can be difficult, especially if you’re
on a tight budget and can’t get the right parts
and documentation. That’s why Fred set out to find
an accessible solution for those of you searching
for a sure-fire way to bring wireless Ethernet capability
to your designs. DPAC’s wireless 802.11b evaluation
and development kit turned out to be the perfect
fit. p. 58
Keywords:
Ethernet, wireless, networking, Wi-Fi, Airborne
WLN
(If you have pop-ups disabled, click
here for a password.)
ABOVE
THE GROUND PLANE
Pennies
to Heaven
The
Lenz Launcher
Ed
Nisley
“High voltage, high current, and flying objects.”
Need Ed write more? Nope. He’s already got your
attention. Read on to learn how Ed built his Lenz
Launcher, which can, as he so gently puts it, “punch
conductive disks into the ceiling with a loud bang
and bright sparks.” p. 64
Keywords:
Lenz's
Law, launcher, projectile, high voltage, high current,
power supply
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here for a password.)
FROM
THE BENCH
USB in Embedded Design (Part)
The Undeniable Benefits
Jeff
Bachiochi
How much do you really know about USB? This column
is a great place to start educating yourself about
the basics. And it couldn’t have come at a better
time. Serial and parallel ports may soon be things
of the past. p. 68
Keywords:
USB, hub, connectors, interface, cabling, enumeration,
X10, PIC16F873A, HIDmaker
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here for a password.)
SILICON
UPDATE
Powered Points
Tom Cantrell
If you’re thinking about designing a device that
plugs into Ethernet, Tom suggests that you learn
as much as possible about 802.3af. This column is
your power-over-Ethernet (PoE) primer. Read on to
see why Tom is so optimistic about PoE technology
and the chips that will drive it. p. 76
Keywords:
PoE,
power-over-Ethernet, 802.3af, power, network, MAX5941,
TPS2370, HV110
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here for a password.)
Test
Your EQ
Index of Advertisers
PREVIEW
May #166
Communications
Programmable
IR Receiver for PCs
Embedded Java Controllers
Simple
Bluetooth Integration (Part 1): Implementing
Bluetooth Modules
Ethernet
Bootloader
Get Moving with the MC34921 Power Control IC
USI-Based
I2C Slave
APPLIED PCs
Radio Roundup
FROM THE BENCH
USB in Embedded Design (Part 2): HIDmaker Converts
an Application
SILICON UPDATE The
Heat is On
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