Clever Tricks with ATmega328 Pro Mini BoardsWith a simple Pro Mini board and a few other components, projects that 20 or 30 years ago were unthinkable (or would have cost a small fortune) are realized easily and affordably in this book: From simple LED effects to a full battery charging and testing station that will put a rechargeable through its paces, there’s something for everyone.All the projects are based on the ATmega328 microcontroller, which offers endless measuring, switching, and control options with its 20 input and output lines. For example, with a 7-segment display and a few resistors, you can build a voltmeter or an NTC-based thermometer. The Arduino platform offers the perfect development environment for programming this range of boards.Besides these very practical projects, the book also provides the necessary knowledge for you to create projects based on your own ideas. How to measure, and what? Which transistor is suitable for switching a certain load? When is it better to use an IC? How do you switch mains voltage? Even LilyPad-based battery-operated projects are discussed in detail, as well as many different motors, from simple DC motors to stepper motors.Sensors are another exciting topic: For example, a simple infrared receiver that can give disused remote controls a new lease on life controlling your home, and a tiny component that can actually measure the difference in air pressure between floor and table height!
Clever Tricks with ATmega328 Pro Mini BoardsWith a simple Pro Mini board and a few other components, projects that 20 or 30 years ago were unthinkable (or would have cost a small fortune) are realized easily and affordably in this book: From simple LED effects to a full battery charging and testing station that will put a rechargeable through its paces, there’s something for everyone.All the projects are based on the ATmega328 microcontroller, which offers endless measuring, switching, and control options with its 20 input and output lines. For example, with a 7-segment display and a few resistors, you can build a voltmeter or an NTC-based thermometer. The Arduino platform offers the perfect development environment for programming this range of boards.Besides these very practical projects, the book also provides the necessary knowledge for you to create projects based on your own ideas. How to measure, and what? Which transistor is suitable for switching a certain load? When is it better to use an IC? How do you switch mains voltage? Even LilyPad-based battery-operated projects are discussed in detail, as well as many different motors, from simple DC motors to stepper motors.Sensors are another exciting topic: For example, a simple infrared receiver that can give disused remote controls a new lease on life controlling your home, and a tiny component that can actually measure the difference in air pressure between floor and table height!
The Unitree Go2 Controller is a dedicated remote control device designed for seamless and precise operation of the Unitree Go2 Quadruped Robot. This bimanual remote features built-in data transmission and Bluetooth modules, facilitating reliable wireless communication with the robot. It offers an ultra-long control distance of over 100 meters in open environments, ensuring flexibility in various operational scenarios.
Specifications
Charging Voltage
5 V
Charging Current
2 A
Frequency
2.4 GHz
Communication Modes
Data transmission module and Bluetooth
Battery Capacity
2500 mAh
Operating Time
approx. 4.5 hours
Control Distance
Over 100 meters in open environments
This book details the use of the ARM Cortex-M family of processors and the Arduino Uno in practical CAN bus based projects. Inside, it gives a detailed introduction to the architecture of the Cortex-M family whilst providing examples of popular hardware and software development kits. Using these kits helps to simplify the embedded design cycle considerably and makes it easier to develop, debug, and test a CAN bus based project. The architecture of the highly popular ARM Cortex-M processor STM32F407VGT6 is described at a high level by considering its various modules. In addition, the use of the mikroC Pro for ARM and Arduino Uno CAN bus library of functions are described in detail.
This book is written for students, for practising engineers, for hobbyists, and for everyone else who may need to learn more about the CAN bus and its applications. The book assumes that the reader has some knowledge of basic electronics. Knowledge of the C programming language will be useful in later chapters of the book, and familiarity with at least one microcontroller will be an advantage, especially if the reader intends to develop microcontroller based projects using CAN bus.
The book should be useful source of reference to anyone interested in finding an answer to one or more of the following questions:
What bus systems are available for the automotive industry?
What are the principles of the CAN bus?
What types of frames (or data packets) are available in a CAN bus system?
How can errors be detected in a CAN bus system and how reliable is a CAN bus system?
What types of CAN bus controllers are there?
What are the advantages of the ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers?
How can one create a CAN bus project using an ARM microcontroller?
How can one create a CAN bus project using an Arduino microcontroller?
How can one monitor data on the CAN bus?
The Controller Area Network (CAN) was originally developed to be used as a vehicle data bus system in passenger cars. Today, CAN controllers are available from over 20 manufacturers, and CAN is finding applications in other fields, such as medical, aerospace, process control, automation, and so on.
This book is written for students, for practising engineers, for hobbyists, and for everyone else who may be interested to learn more about the CAN bus and its applications.
The aim of this book is to teach you the basic principles of CAN networks and in addition the development of microcontroller based projects using the CAN bus. In summary, this book enables the reader to:
Learn the theory of the CAN bus used in automotive industry
Learn the principles, operation, and programming of microcontrollers
Design complete microcontroller based projects using the C language
Develop complete real CAN bus projects using microcontrollers
Learn the principles of OBD systems used to debug vehicle electronics
You will learn how to design microcontroller based CAN bus nodes, build a CAN bus, develop high-level programs, and then exchange data in real-time over the bus. You will also learn how to build microcontroller hardware and interface it to LEDs, LCDs, and A/D converters.
The book assumes that the reader has some knowledge on basic electronics. Knowledge of the C programming language will be useful in later chapters of the book, and familiarity with at least one member of the PIC series of microcontrollers will be an advantage, especially if the reader intends to develop microcontroller based projects using the CAN bus.
The Picon Zero is an add-on for the Raspberry Pi. It has the same size as a Raspberry Pi Zero, making it ideal to function as a pHat. Of course, it can be used on any other Raspberry Pi via a 40-pin GPIO connector.
As well as two full H-Bridge motor drivers, the Picon Zero has several Input/Output pins giving you multiple configuration options. That allows you to easily add outputs or analog inputs to your Raspberry Pi without any complicated software or kernel-specific drivers. At the same time, it opens up 5 GPIO pins from the Raspberry Pi, and it provides the interface for an HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor.
The Picon Zero comes with all components, including the headers and screw terminals, fully soldered. Soldering isn't required. You can use it right out of the box.
Features
pHat format PCB: 65 mm x 30 mm
Two full H-Bridge motor drivers. Drive up to 1.5 A continuously per channel, at 3 V - 11 V.
Each motor output has both a 2-pin male header and a 2-pin screw terminal.
The motors can be powered from the Picon Zero's 5 V or an external power source (3 V - 11 V).
The Picon Zero's 5 V can be selected to be from the Raspberry Pi's 5 V line, or a USB connector on the Picon Zero. That means that you can effectively have 2 USB battery banks: one to power the servos and motors on the Picon Zero and the other to power the Pi.
4 Inputs that can accept up to 5 V. These inputs can be configured as follows:
Digital inputs
Analog inputs
DS18B20
DHT11
6 Outputs that can drive 5 V and be configured as:
Digital Output
PWM Output
Servo
NeoPixel WS2812
All Inputs and Outputs use GVS 3-pin male headers.
4-pin female header that connects directly to an HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor.
8-pin female header for Ground, 3.3 V, 5 V, and 5 GPIO signals allowing you to add their additional features.
When Raspberry Pi 4's system on chip (SoC) achieves a certain temperature, it lowers its operating speed to protect itself from harm. As a result, you don't get maximum performance from the single board computer. Fan SHIM is an affordable accessory that effectively eliminates thermal throttling and boosts the performance of RPi 4. It's quite easy to attach the fan SHIM to Raspberry pi: fan SHIM uses a friction-fit header, so it just slips onto your Pi's pins and it's ready to go, no soldering required! The fan can be controlled in software, so you can adjust it to your needs, for example, toggle it on when the CPU reaches a certain temperature etc. You can also program the LED as a visual indicator of the fan status. The tactile switch can also be programmed, so you can use it to toggle the fan on or off, or to switch between temperature-triggered or manual mode. Features 30 mm 5 V DC fan 4,200 RPM 0.05 m³/min air flow 18.6 dB acoustic noise (whisper-quiet) Friction-fit header No soldering required RGB LED (APA102) Tactile switch Basic assembly required Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 (and 3B+, 3A+)
Python library and daemon Pinout Scope of delivery Fan SHIM PCB 30 mm 5 V DC fan with JST connector M2.5 nuts and bolts Assembly The assembly is really simple and almost takes no time With the component side of the PCB facing upwards, push the two M2.5 bolts through the holes from below, then screw on the first pair of nuts to secure them and act as spacers. Push the fan's mounting holes down onto the bolts, with the cable side of the fan downwards (as pictured) and the text on the fan upwards. Attach with another two nuts. Push the fan's JST connector into the socket on Fan SHIM. Software With the help of Python library you can control the fan (on/off), RGB LED, and switch. You'll also find a number of examples that demonstrate each feature, as well as a script to install a daemon (a computer program that runs as a background process) that runs the fan in automatic mode, triggering it on or off when the CPU reaches a threshold temperature, with a manual override via the tactile switch.
The Cytron Motion 2350 Pro is a robust 4-channel DC motor driver (3 A per channel, 3.6-16 V) ideal for building powerful robots, including mecanum wheel designs. It features 8-channel 5 V servo ports, 8-channel GPIO breakouts, 3 Maker Ports, and a USB host for plug-and-play joystick/gamepad support.
Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico 2, it integrates seamlessly with the Pico ecosystem, supporting Python (MicroPython, CircuitPython), C/C++, and Arduino IDE. Pre-installed with CircuitPython, it comes with a demo program and quick test buttons for immediate use. Simply connect via USB-C, and start exploring!
Included
1x Cytron Motion 2350 Pro Robotics Controller
1x STEMMA QT/Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable with Female Sockets (150 mm)
2x Grove to JST-SH Cable (200 mm)
1x Set of Silicone Bumper
4x Building Block Friction Pin
1x Mini Screwdriver
Input Voltage: 12 - 36 V Max. Phase Current: 2 A per phase Removable motor drivers Reset-button Screw terminals for power supply Dimensions: 53 mm x 68 mm x 18 mm Weight: 46 g
This book details the use of the ARM Cortex-M family of processors and the Arduino Uno in practical CAN bus based projects. Inside, it gives a detailed introduction to the architecture of the Cortex-M family whilst providing examples of popular hardware and software development kits. Using these kits helps to simplify the embedded design cycle considerably and makes it easier to develop, debug, and test a CAN bus based project. The architecture of the highly popular ARM Cortex-M processor STM32F407VGT6 is described at a high level by considering its various modules. In addition, the use of the mikroC Pro for ARM and Arduino Uno CAN bus library of functions are described in detail.
This book is written for students, for practising engineers, for hobbyists, and for everyone else who may need to learn more about the CAN bus and its applications. The book assumes that the reader has some knowledge of basic electronics. Knowledge of the C programming language will be useful in later chapters of the book, and familiarity with at least one microcontroller will be an advantage, especially if the reader intends to develop microcontroller based projects using CAN bus.
The book should be useful source of reference to anyone interested in finding an answer to one or more of the following questions:
What bus systems are available for the automotive industry?
What are the principles of the CAN bus?
What types of frames (or data packets) are available in a CAN bus system?
How can errors be detected in a CAN bus system and how reliable is a CAN bus system?
What types of CAN bus controllers are there?
What are the advantages of the ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers?
How can one create a CAN bus project using an ARM microcontroller?
How can one create a CAN bus project using an Arduino microcontroller?
How can one monitor data on the CAN bus?
If you enjoy DIY electronics, projects, software and robots, you’ll find this book intellectually stimulating and immediately useful. With the right parts and a little guidance, you can build robot systems that suit your needs more than overpriced commercial systems can.
20 years ago, robots based on simple 8-bit processors and touch sensors were the norm. Now, it’s possible to build multi-core robots that can react to their surroundings with intelligence. Today’s robots combine sensor readings from accelerometers, gyroscopes and computer vision sensors to learn about their environments. They can respond using sophisticated control algorithms and they can process data both locally and in the cloud.
This book, which covers the theory and best practices associated with advanced robot technologies, was written to help roboticists, whether amateur hobbyist or professional, take their designs to the next level. As will be seen, building advanced applications does not require extremely costly robot technology. All that is needed is simply the knowledge of which technologies are out there and how best to use each of them.
Each chapter in this book will introduce one of these different technologies and discuss how best to use it in a robotics application. On the hardware side, we’ll cover microcontrollers, servos, and sensors, hopefully inspiring you to design your own awe-inspiring, next-generation systems. On the software side, we’ll cover programming languages, debugging, algorithms, and state machines. We’ll focus on the Arduino, the Parallax Propeller, Revolution Education PICAXE and projects I’ve with which I’ve been involved, including the TBot educational robot, the PropScope oscilloscope, the 12Blocks visual programming language, and the ViewPort development environment. In addition, we’ll serve up a comprehensive introduction to a variety of essential topics, including output (e.g. LEDs, servo motors), and communication technologies (e.g. infrared, audio), that you can use to develop systems that interact to stimuli and communicate with humans and other robots. To make these topics as accessible as possible, handy schematics, sample code and practical tips regarding building and debugging have been included.
Hanno Sander
Christchurch, New Zealand
