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Merlin Systems Corp. Ltd
HumaniformTM
Robotics |
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Specification |
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Dimensions |
8cm x 8cm x 8cm |
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Processor |
ATMEL AT90s8515
4 MIPS (upgradeable to 8MIPS)
8k
Flash RAM
512 Bytes SRAM
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Batteries |
2 x 4 cell NIMH rechargeable battery packs.
Charger
supplied. |
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Communications |
433Mhz or 418Mhz RX Module
Note: PC Transmitter required to communicate with the robot
via wireless communications.
Bidirectional communications is available via the supplied
cable. |
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Drive train |
2 x DC Motors with gearbox and integrated opto shaft
encoders.
6 - 12v DC. Upto 3A stall current. |
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Case |
Aluminium modular case. 5 sides can be removed for easy
access to the inside or customisation. |
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Programming |
In system programmable via the supplied cable. |
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Expansion |
17 General purpose I/O lines are available, size of which
have special functions (where required): Comparator, 2 x
External Timer Inputs, Interrupt capture pin, SPI
Interface.
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Cables |
Programmer and debug cables are supplied. |
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Speed |
1 -> 2m/s |
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Software |
Basic motion control software (Miabot RDK) is provided with
source to control speed, distance, direction.
Sample PC
driver code is provided with source (QBASIC & Visual
C++).
Further sample code, tutorials and utilities are
available via the download area. | |
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MIABOT Control Board
The MIABOT control board is designed using the latest surface
mount technology to create a compact feature packed general purpose
control board.
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Feature |
Description |
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4 - Way Battery Connector |
Socket provided to run the robot via the onboard batteries
or from another power source (such as a bench
supply) |
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2 - Way Charger Socket |
When the switch is in the charge position power supplied to
the charge socket will recharge the onboard
batteries. |
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Opto Encoders |
Open collector opto inputs which are connected to interrupt
capture pins on the MCU. These inputs are normally connected
to the outputs from the drive train encoders. |
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LED1 & LED2 |
Status LED’s, software programmable but by default used to
indicate power on and activity on the RX line. |
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CPU |
Atmel AT90s8515 Microcontroller (MCU) |
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Motor Output |
2 Channel DC motor outputs.12v with max. (stall) current of
3A per channel. |
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RX Module |
Plugin slot for wirless communications module. Specificy
418Mhz or 413Mhz when ordering. |
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TX Module |
Optional plugin socket for wireless transmission module.
Specificay 418Mhz or 433Mhz. Note: The RX and TX unit must be
on seperate frequencies if both are used. |
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Programmer/Debugger/SPI |
Socket can be used for general purpose I/O (5) as well as
programming, and debugging (bidirectional communications via
cable) and SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). |
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H-Bridge |
Power drive for the motors. |
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Expansion Port |
15 Way header for general purpose I/O (13). |
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Switch |
On, Off or Charge | |
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Software
Each robot is supplied with the GNU
‘C’ compiler, download
utility (dos,windows 95,98,NT & Linux), editor
and other development tools. For most users this is everything they
need to get started. Please visit this
page for an overview of the build tools.
The MIABOT
RDK is supplied with each robot providing basic (but extensible)
motion control software. Corresponding sample code is provided to
run on the PC to control the robot (QBASIC and Visual C++).
A BASIC development environment for the robots can be supplied at
additional cost. |
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PC Transmitter
Each robot can be driven via the debug cable or wireless
communications. To communicate with the robot use the PC Transmitter
unit which plugs into the 9-Way RS232 port. Specify the transmitter
frequency (418Mhz or 433Mhz) to match the RX module on the
robot.
A single PC transmitter can be used to communicate with multiple
robots by sending out communications packets each with a unique id.
The software on each robot can be then tuned to only respond to
commands with the correct id. |
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Programming robots
Information about programming robots can be found here. |
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