Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #03609



To: "Cory Duce" duce_beam@hotmail.com
From: Wouter Brok w.j.m.brok@stud.tue.nl
Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 12:29:28 +0200
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: microprocessor for a six leg walker


Hello Cory,

I would suggest the Atmel AT90S1200 processor. Although I didn't do much
with it yet I have it lying around at home and I built a programmer already
(which isn't more than a handfull of resistors and capacitors).

The processor doesn't cost much (in the Netherlands about 10 guilders (=
approximately 5 U.S. dollars)). The programmer doesn't cost much and is
easy to build (if you want I can sent you the information). The 20-pin
processore has 15 IO-lines of which some can serve special functions (like
an analog comperator, counter, etc). The other 5 lines are Vcc, Ground,
Reset, two Crystal connections. Its clock-frequency is 12 MHz, with a RISC
instruction-set.
Development-software can be downloaded for free from Atmel itself. The only
problem is that it isn't very suitable to address external memory, but with
its 1kb of RAM and the same of programmable ROM inside it can run programs
which are quite reasonable. It has also some EEPROM on board which it can
program itself, so this is suitable for some backup of parameters or so.

Also its powerconsumption can be controlled with a power-idle and
power-down mode I think.

There is quite a lot of information to be found on the web and I think this
is exactly what you are looking for.

Succes,

Wouter Brok.

PS: just download the specs (I think Steven Bolt has a link on his page,
I'm not sure though)

>I'm currently working on a six leg, solar powered walker and have been
>considering using a microprocessor for taking care of high level commands
>and decission making. I am using traditional beam circuits to take care of
>the walking and balace of the bot but I'm planning on using a microprocessor
>to take info from touch sensors, light sensors, sound sensors and IR
>obstical detectors and then make decissions based on the sensor inputs and
>control the direction of travel.So, I would need around 15 I/O and sufficent
>memory for a program, and since I'm using solar power I would like to stay
>below 5 volts. I've looked into basic stamps, but would like to know if any
>one else has any experience/info/tips on what type of microporcessor would
>be best for the job. thanks
>
>Cory Duce
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>
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