Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #09317



To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Richard Piotter richfile@rconnect.com
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 01:25:07 -0600
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Selectable Nervous Nets (was Interseting, additional idea)


That was actualy my origianal plan. I had planned a backplane that would
include all the motor and sensor lines, as well as inhibitory lines for
blocking other cards. It would have a string of plugs. You could plug in
cards that would each carry one or more functions. Some cards would be
master command cards that would kill processes on other cards. Others
would be sub command cards that could modify or work with other cards.
The idea never happened due to cost and work involved. Even a hardwired
multi Nv net was considered, but never made. The current design for
Quadrapod realy limits the Nvs use as Nvs. A simple chain of Flip-Flops
could do the same task. I have the boards made, but that doesn't mean I
won't make other controlers. BASIC Stamp, logic, multinet, whatever
works. I may try all three as a lab for my enrichment class.


Bruce Robinson wrote:
>
> Richard Piotter wrote:
> >
> > Another addition. I looked at teh circuit and confused myself again.
> > Rather than 4 reverse circuits for the 4 reversible motors, I have 2
> > redundant reverse circuits. ...
> >
> > That may also have confused you a bit. I know it still confuses me!
>
> Well, I wasn't going to say it in public, Richard, but since you brought
> it up ...
>
> That's another advantage to using multiple nervous nets for different
> walking gaits. A heck of a lot easier to debug (and understand a year
> later :)
>
> Bruce

--


Richard Piotter The Richfiles Robotics & TI web page:
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9318 Tue, 18 Jan 2000 01:33:02 -0600 [alt-beam] Re: Pertaining to the Hextile things. You should really make them beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Richard Piotter There is no reason NOT to include the DIP form factor. It doesn't remove
any functionality from the Hextile, nor does it limit it in any way. It
would not cost much more, if at all. The DIP will work fine because it
IS the Hextile. you simply trin the points off the hextile, leaving only
the square center. Solder in 2 pairs of 4 male header pins, and you're
set for DIP opperation. You want to use it as a hextile, you leave it
alone! No modification for use as an Nv, and simple cut & solder traces
to convert it to an Nu. Most other modifications would be used only be
more advanced experimenters working with larger, more complex neural net
type circuits.

There is no reason to oppose the DIP/Hextile combo, as all it is is the
way the pattern is done on the hextile!


Dane Gardner wrote:
>
> You could simply use an SMD right angle LED.
>
> From: "Richard Piotter"
>
> > I could see them being mounted verticaly like that, but you'd need ALL
> > the outputs on one side, and it's also harder to see the LEDs if you
> > mount them inline on a PCB backplane, although that too is a good idea.
> > DIP is a proven circuit package. and I suppose a SIP would be acceptable
> > too. Still, vertical mounting makse seeing the LED more dificult when
> > you want it visible.

--


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9319 Tue, 18 Jan 2000 01:50:13 -0600 [alt-beam] Make them Hextiles AND DIP......... beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Richard Piotter I just looked at that subject line, and to clarify to those who don't
quite get what's being said, ONE triangular piece of circuit board. in
the center of the board, 2 rows of 4 holes and all the electronics.
between the edges of the board and that center square with all the
electronics would be pads and trace cut points where you can configure
the board to other than an Nv (like and Nu). Pads on the edge of the
board to connect hextile to hextile. For those that want DIP, you cut
the edges of the hextile circuit board off, leaving only the center
square with the holes and electronics. You solder pins to it and you
have a DIP chip, MADE FROM the hextile.

I already made a design for that inner portion that serves as the
circuitry for the hextile and the whole DIP. There is NO reason to not
make the hextile with that as it's core. It'd satisfy both the Hextile
and DIP parties, and would only involve the right patterns on the PCB
and right hole positions, rather than a whole separate product.

I personaly think it's the best idea, simply because of how flexible it is!


Dane Gardner wrote:
>
> You could simply use an SMD right angle LED.
>
> From: "Richard Piotter"
>
> > I could see them being mounted verticaly like that, but you'd need ALL
> > the outputs on one side, and it's also harder to see the LEDs if you
> > mount them inline on a PCB backplane, although that too is a good idea.
> > DIP is a proven circuit package. and I suppose a SIP would be acceptable
> > too. Still, vertical mounting makse seeing the LED more dificult when
> > you want it visible.

--


Richard Piotter The Richfiles Robotics & TI web page:
richfile@rconnect.com http://richfiles.calc.org

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9320 Tue, 18 Jan 2000 20:10:00 +1100 [alt-beam] turbot "HENDO" Hi once again. I was just wondering how the turbot mechanics work as I may
use this on a robot to give it the ability to put itself upright if it tips
over.


Cya

James

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