digital design project

J4D

i know you guys like my creations so here it goes ; a new one :

i was asked by the lab instructor of the digital systems course to construct a "Circuit" to present digital logic . of course the project is due at the end of the semester and we are still at the start . what i have in mind is the following :

a small robot with 2 independent infrared proximity detectors each connected to a delay relay circuit then to a separate H-bridge that reverses the polarity of of two motors driving the robot . thus enabling the robot to avoid obstacles and effectively steer away in the proper direction , no microprocessors will be used and this baby will kick it old school with simple digital logic ! . pictures, videos, reports will soon follow .

Padre

I dont think that counts as a digital design project ... it's more like analogue electronics.

J4D

the H-bridge ?! :) + converting the IR proximity sensors signal to a digital signal? besides i already got the OK to proceed this as a digital design project . although there is no doubt there is some analogousness about it but that will not be a problem since it will be something moving around ,other than the normally dull and idiotic up down counters other students will be making , the professor will overlook the analog part and focus on the digital :D

Xsever

Good luck Jad. Show them who's the man !

Padre

if that's how things works , then good luck :)

arithma

Try to make something simplified inspired from modern pcs.
Check this out: http://www.pcworld.com/article/189854/homebrew_cpu.html
Leave control to the Mechatronics people, it won't benefit you much - BTW, you considered moving into a more mechanical major, as most of your interests include sensors and actuators. That's basically mechatronics; you'd learn about the different ways of controlling hierarchical links, plan, AI, and so on. We'll talk.

J4D

that homemade processor is crazy ! , thanks X and padre .

Padre

or take a look at the BMOW :P (Big Mess of Wires)

J4D

if only i had the patience and cool of that man ! he could have made them into simple etched PCBs but NOO ! he wirerapped them !

J4D

some progress ! :)

i printed the boards this morning ( it was an idiotic , filthy , at the end satisfying job ) .
take a look , here are the pics with some parts installed .

Ayman

Neat work, well done :)

J4D

thanks :-)

Flakk

Awesome work jad.
What program did you use to design the pcb ? PCB designer ? Orcad ? Im currently trying to design my own pcb so just wanted to know.
another question: which of these is harder to use in your project ? a microprocessor or digital/logical circuits ?

Good luck with your project.

J4D

i use eagle cad , share your designs when done ! :)
a microprocessor is definitely easier to use ! and far far less components as well , rather than using this huge flake id be using a small 8 legged micro.. with its caps and resistors only without all this general components , but its a digital course and i had to use digital logic . today i was told that they want to show my gizmo to the uni president , they have never seen a first year student submit a final project at the 3rd week of uni ! :P and i have not showed my best yet ! :-D

Flakk

jadberro wrotei use eagle cad , share your designs when done ! :)
a microprocessor is definitely easier to use ! and far far less components as well , rather than using this huge flake id be using a small 8 legged micro.. with its caps and resistors only without all this general components , but its a digital course and i had to use digital logic . today i was told that they want to show my gizmo to the uni president , they have never seen a first year student submit a final project at the 3rd week of uni ! :P and i have not showed my best yet ! :-D

thanks for the info, yes i will show my designs when they are done.

Thats great news lol, hope the uni president will be pleased with the project.

J4D

its finally born and functional ( with some minor kinks to iron out ) .
here are some pics , enjoy !
its all self made , designed ( circuits and all )

note : the motors now there are just for testing , they are not able to drive the gizmo , they will be replaced with 2 Tamiya gearboxes with low gear ratio in order to show the sequence of function and being easier on the eyes ! :)

arithma

Dude, I just remembered! If you're fabricating your own boards, what's keeping you from making your programmer? See where this is going?

J4D

Haha ! definitely ! , yalla soon :) with usb capability kamen ! :) start porting your code to C !