Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #00577
To: Bob Shannon bshannon@tiac.net, wtnewton@nc5.infi.net
From: Steven Bolt sbolt@xs4all.nl
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 11:12:12 +0100 (CET)
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: hmmm...i wonder which subject
On Wed, 17 Feb 1999, Bob Shannon wrote:
> > There has been quite a bit of talk about adding a programmable
> > device to some combination of Microcores, Nervous Nets and so on to
> > gain something, but I have yet to see a worked out example to prove
> > the point.
>
> Again, look at Terry Newton's work. He used a PIC to drive a BEAM smart
> body.
>
> AS it turns out, the microcore is not predictable enough for the
> CPU to get along with.
I'm aware of Terry's work, which is very interesting. However, as
you say, he didn't seem to gain much performance by adding a uC to
a Nervous Net - though it increased complexity quite a bit.
Btw: Terry, I noticed this passage on one of your pages:
Regular PICs are rated at 3 volts, I run 'em down to 2.5 volts but good
chance the 'F84 won't go there. The Amtel part is beginning to look really
good, the data eeprom is built-in and it can be programmed in-circuit with
little more than a cable and some software. The problem has been getting
one, none of my suppliers carry it. More for the future.
I can easily spare a couple of the AT90S1200 uCs you seem to be
referring to. Just tell me the address to mail them to. You may
have something to trade, or otherwise could but a few dollar in an
envelope.
> Also the microcore does not do anything that cannot also be done
> directly by the CPU, so why penalize the robot with the microcore
> at all?
BEAMers get lots of fun out of two motors, a very simple mechanical
setup and a couple of time delays. Will a uC add something
significant to the `bot-building experience? My Spider is uC-based,
so I apparently think so. But I also like my photovores a lot, and
they don't have or need a uC brain. I believe it depends on what
you want from your `bot, and on your willingness to learn how to
use a uC.
> So whats the advantage of BEAM again?
That interesting things can be done without learning how to deal
with programmable hardware.
Best,
Steve
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# sbolt@xs4all.nl # Steven Bolt # popular science monthly KIJK #
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