ViPER

Let's Make Robots Robots
1

ViPER
Versatile Programmable Experimental Robot

ViPER is not done as of now, but I do have The Motherboard (18F4620) and the LCD board done. I am working on finishing the Motherboard and the Motor Driver board. I had to do some repair on my LCD's Backlight, as the pins themselves were not working, so I had to make a jumper cable for it.

Picture overview and explanation:
001: Overview of the entire ViPER system.

002: Motherboard, with a great picture you can read the PIC

003: LCD board with pot to adjust the brightness.

004: Fixed LCD put into socket.

005: entire system again.

More stuff soon.

 

The great thing about the ViPER system, is all you have to do is make a new module and connect it up to one of the 2x5 headers. That's all there is to it.

Reconfigurable

  • Actuators / output devices: Reconfigurable
  • Control method: 18F4620
  • CPU: 18F4620
  • Operating system: C
  • Power source: 10.8VDC power pack with 5VDC regulator
  • Programming language: C
  • Sensors / input devices: SHARP IR sensor, Sonar possibly
  • Target environment: Semi rough terrain
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/robots/show/viper
2

Interesting!!
Interesting!!

3

Configuration

How are the 2x5 headers configured? Are they all identical copies in parallel?

Do you know about the existing drive for a modular solution? https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/551

4

the 2x5’s are configured as

the 2x5’s are configured as such:

 

1 3 5 7 9

2 4 6 8 10

 

1: VSS

2-9: 8 bit ports

10:VDD

 

Only pins 1 and 10 stay in the same position, but 2-9 data pins depend on the ports on the PIC.

 

I was thinking of potentially making and selling these units once I get a etching system set up.

 

I would be glad to collaborate on the modular system.

5

Specification
I’m trying to make a list of modules. How would you envisage an I2C interface to a 2-line LCD might work?

6

I dont know, I would have to
I dont know, I would have to think. That would require an 1 wire module, not to mention a add on to the LCD. ITs possible.

7

modules I have come up

modules I have come up with:

LCD module

Motor Module

Sensor interface module

PWM module

any others?

8

Not so fast.

Nonononono. The deal is we design and build the modules from scratch. I don’t understand your definition of “module” but most Pics have a built-in hardware I2C interface.

NB - I2C is a two-wire synchronous interface. One clock line and one bidirectional data line. The concept is that the Pic would BE the “add-on” for the LCD, which gives it an I2C interface.

9

Yes.

Loads, but this isn’t the place. I’m going to post a list and some basic specs soon.

Thanks for the input. Stay on it.