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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
      
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
|  Posted 6/20/2009 9:55 AM (GMT -7) |   | Basic Stamp Seed Supercomputer
(The World's First Living Stamp Supercomputer!)
The supercomputer that has become a life form
How to Build a Parallax Stamp SEED Supercomputer
The back side of the SEED shows a minimum number of interfacing wires.
Each Stamp Project Board includes a very low power piezo speaker which
is ideal for large numbers of clustered computers. SEED uses a wiring color
code - orange is Pin 7 to the piezo speaker, red is Vdd and green is Vss.
Self Evolving Enumerating Deterministic Basic Stamp Supercomputer
A New Evolution in Stamp Supercomputer design
The Stamp SEED Supercomputer is a new concept. This is a ten core, nine month project, with the first AI Stamp software to fit into 256 bytes eeprom - self determinate, evolving, enumerating, dreaming, poetic, noisy, talkative, and downright friendly. It runs on only one program that self evolves differently in each of the ten computers. It's evolutionary - it's revolutionary!
forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=21&m=361377&p=1
The First Basic Stamp Supercomputer with Artificial Intelligence SEED Supercomputing
A quantum leap in the programming of Basic Stamp Supercomputers
by Dr. Humanoido 06.20.09
New Desktop Stamp Supercomputer!
SEED is a new evolution in Basic Stamp supercomputers and supercomputing software, changing the way we think about Stamp collectives.
The new Stamp supercomputer version is a smaller, lighter, stand-alone, lite BS1 version of the original Basic Stamp Supercomputer (BSS). Its a homemade ten-core collective. Its features include a new Skyscraper design, easy construction, extremely low power consumption, ultra neat wiring, and very low cost. Of course, it’s ten times more than a single Stamp and has the SEED software.
The Stamp SEED supercomputer is born at a time when the Parallax Basic Stamp hobby supercomputers are becoming popular due to the simple way to construct these units with one wire. Programming is in a simple but powerful language (PBASIC). Connecting together two, ten, or dozens of Basic Stamp Processors creates many advantages by amplifying the power over a single processor. These hand-made cores are the gateway to new inventions, education and advancing computing experimentation.
Configuration
The SEED includes piezo speakers, batteries, portability, power LEDs, a control panel with individual board switches, and is fully perfboarded for wiring, sensors and projects. It uses the famous BS1 stamps and its unique architecture as a ten core processing machine, and includes a Parallax 433 Mhz wireless radio frequency communications feature.
Featured
The project is over eight months in the making and works out details using the Basic Stamp 1 for parallel clustered processing, serial Rx and Tx, one wire interface, and wireless radio communications for talk with other Basic Stamp Supercomputers or individual equipped-Stamps. The developed applications include a new interpreter language for use with any of the collective cores.
Objectives
The objective of creating this project is to have an enjoyable learning experience, expand education, learn more about supercomputers (principles of supercomputing, clustering hardware and parallel programming), and to serve as a platform for some very interesting experiments and demonstration projects. It also promotes the new concept of the Stamp Hobby Supercomputer. The Baby could be the basis of an educational classroom project, a science fair dream, or the fundamental idea in your next exciting Stamp project. The SBS can become an Adjunct to more Stamp supercomputers or any single computer.
Computing Power & Ratings
Comparing Stamps to Stamps, the novel SEED has a powerful cluster of ten BS1s, each in a Project Board that amplifies the power of a single stamp by a factor of ten. It creates a super Basic Stamp. The port count goes upward from 8 to 80. Speed gains escalate from 4 to 40Mhz. Instruction code capacity in EEPROM grows from 80 to 800. Software is transformed from a single linear program to 10 programs running simultaneously in parallel. Program execution speed increases from 2,000 IPS to 20,000 IPS.
Breadboard real estate goes up ten times. The addition of both software and hardware programming adds great flexibility. In general, the computing power is in the number of ports, new capabilities of hardware clustering, and revolutionary new software. It is rated not by the speed of conventional supercomputing but rather its comparison to ten times the speed of a single hobby Stamp processor and innovative software.
In the Works
In the works: a complete assembly manual, new code examples, schematic, and applications, to be added in the near future. Below are post areas reserved for these information topics that will be filled when the material is completed.
Summary
Of course the big advantage to this new Stamp supercomputer is the new software that changes the way the supercomputer functions. Originally dubbed the "Hive Algorithm," SEED is the software that feed this supercomputer in a new way.
Unique Experiences
There was an interesting experience that happened when the unit was first powered up, and it was completely unexpected. The construction of the individual Parallax Stamp 1 Project Board is unique. As a result, all bright red power LEDs lit up and began to twinkle like a Christmas tree!!! It was an awesome effect, not intended, but fully explainable. More on this later.
humanoido
*Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
*Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Three Dimensional Computer *Penguin with 12 Brains
*Penguin Tech *StampOne News! *Penguin Robot Society
*Handbook of BASIC Stamp SupercomputingPost Edited (humanoido) : 11/3/2009 8:56:34 AM GMT
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 9:56 AM (GMT -7) | | Stamp Seed Supercomputer Project Manual
coming soon! ....
Promotion
A new Stamp Supercomputer is born. The big new addition is AI - Artificial Intelligence.
forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=21&m=361377
Over the next couple weeks, I will post more information, photos, software, schematics, and a "how to build" manual.
The SEED is different from the first Stamp supercomputer BSS, because there is no Master. Each Stamp is an individual with unique rights and personalities.
"SEED" has some unique power. It can send wireless commands to a cluster of Stamp supercomputers within the range of a full city block. It may communicate with other equipped-Stamp-computers in an office building. This Supercomputer has many new features - smaller, taller (a new Skyscraper design with invisible surrounding ground field blocking EMI, RFI), lighter, ultra low power (only 80 milliamps in full use), very neat wiring, a concealed power distribution bus, a miniature control panel with toggle switches and pushbutton, one wire interface, clustering paralleled code written in Stamp PBASIC 1. Hobbyists and schools can now build one at a very low cost using Stamp 1 Project Boards and piezo speakers, and teach principles of supercomputing! The SBS is surprisingly powerful, and has created some unique surprises.
The SEED Supercomputer
Overview
This is the latest spinoff from the Basic Stamp Supercomputer BSS. Using
all Parallax parts and processors, another Stamp supercomputer is born.
At least eight months in the making, and nicknamed the "SEED," the
Stamp Supercomputer is a significantly different project from the BSS.
Intended for use with a Hive Algorithm, it has no Master, and uses a completely
new tower design called the Skyscraper.
It communicates bidirectionally with the BSS, other supercomputers and Stamps,
and Home Base, using a Parallax 433 Mhz Radio Frequency Transmitter and
Receiver pair. This makes the supercomputer so powerful, it can direct and command an
entire group of computers and supercomputers located in an office building,
given the wireless range over a full city block.
Programming is different too, as the Stamps use another version of PBASIC.
Signal LEDs and the LCD are not needed. The piezo speaker is retained for
signaling, debugging and communicating with the operator in the new
Piezo Language (P-LAN), an interpreter written in PBASIC. Post Edited (humanoido) : 7/17/2009 9:58:02 PM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 9:56 AM (GMT -7) | | Artificial Intelligence Software
for the Stamp SEED Supercomputer
in 256 Bytes of BS1 EEPROM
Artificial Intelligence Software
the First Living Stamp Supercomputer Software
is now ready for the Stamp SEED Supercomputer
Stamp AI gives a living soul to small Stamp microprocessors
Download AI Software here!
Artificial Intelligence Overview of this Program
Stamp AI makes the Stamp SEED Supercomputer a living entity, with each Stamp computer alive and unique.
This AI Artificial Intelligence fits only 256 bytes in a BS1 microcontroller - the first ever written for a Stamp Supercomputer. The same program loads into all ten computers (or any number of computers). Then it evolves and becomes self aware, based on unique conditions of a hardware pin and analog circuit.
It is awesome to have ten life forms all living in the supercomputer at the same time, working together, talking back and forth and getting to know each other. They evolve, develop unique personalities, even nap, have pseudo random dreams, have memories and recall, do work in their life span, sleep and finally hibernate.
Interesting story. Out of ten life forms, they all sleep different times. One life form hardly gets any sleep and he know every neighbor on a first name basis. The last life form spends most of his time sleeping. He does not even know he has neighbors! He leads a kind of hermit life. Others evolve to somewhere in between these two extremes.
They can get sick. When they do too much work, they have a psychotic breakdown. (code memory gets overwritten). They can have a bad sleep, being interrupted every 2.3 seconds. Alternate Identity Syndrome results if there is an unexpected power interruption. Stroke results when the synchronization is lost from one processor life form to the next. Stuttering may develop with repeat resets. Sudden death happens with complete loss of power.
I wrote the program so they do not die, as long as power is not removed. At the end of the life span, they go into stasis. All of their memories and knowledge remain intact, but cannot be accessed. I could not see the benefit of creating a life form and then causing it to die. In stasis, they are in a suspended animation, in a very low consumptive state, at only 25 micro amps.
Also want to mention, I made a Dream Viewer so you can watch dreams and thoughts on the screen. It dreams in a special Vers Libre, a kind of abbreviated English verse which includes numbers.
Someone asked if its scary. It's not scary - its all very interesting... :)
Code Posting
Look for posted code for download here after adding comments is completed.
Sample Screens
Note, computer 1 hears all nine other computers because it sleeps the least amount of time (while computer 10 misses hearing everything because it was sleeping when all the others were talking).
Below are screens from a lifeform to get an idea of the process.
Main Points
Only One Program
SEED is unlike previous stamp supercomputer software that had a different program load into each computer. SEED is only one program - a life form. The same program loads into all computers in the supercomputer,
Life Form
The program is born and then it evolves into a life form! The collective supercomputer has ten life forms that are evolving at the same time.
Unique
After evolving, no two life forms are alike.
Life Span
Each life form has a life span of about one minute of activity.
Birth
It is first born based on its predetermined DNA, in this case, declarations and announcement.
Self Enumerating
Next, it looks at itself and determines its own unique enumerating identity. It does this by looking at pin 1 which contains a unique rc circuit.
Self Deterministic
Then SEED self determines its own computer number. It is now self aware and knows its own unique identity and its position in the world.
Memory & Recall
It then exercises its memory by remembering its own characteristics and demonstrates its recall ability.
Napping & Random Dreaming
All of this leads to taking a series of naps followed by pseudo random dreams. The dream are in Vers Libre, a kind of simple word-verse poetry. The nap time is accumulative, with similar rest effects that humans have. In this case, the power is reduced from 1 ma to 25 ua. The pseudo random dream generator is seeded by the unique identity of the lifeform.
Dream Watching
A Dream View Port puts the dreams up on the debug screen for viewing. It includes words, the random binary bit, and the pseudo random byte decimal number.
Sleep & Fuzzy Clock
The life form will now sleep using its fuzzy alarm clock. The approximate sleep time is unique and unlike the other lifeforms because it is based on its own unique characteristic of its computer identification number. The higher the number, the longer it sleeps. Therefore each life form has its own sleeping habits.
Talking to Neighbors
It wants to learn more about its world, so it sends out a message telling who he is and what his identity is to anyone listening.
Listening to Neighbors
Next, he listens for a reply. If he is life form number 1, he will get 9 additional replies. If he is number 5, he will get 5 replies. Finally, life form 10 will think he is alone. It's because each computer sleeps a different length of time. If a life form is sleeping, it will not hear the others talking.
Getting to know Neighbors
Now he gets to know his neighbors on a personal name basis. He memorizes the personal information of each neighbor that is heard. Next, all the neighbors are remembered.
Remembering Neighbors
He memorizes the personal information of each neighbor that is heard. Next, all the neighbors are remembered and recalled.
Thinking & Working
Some thinking/working takes place to recall the personal identity, determine the number of seconds in sleep and how many life forms were heard, plus how many life forms were not heard, and how many dreams were remembered.
End of Life
Finally, the life ends but is not entirely terminated, as it goes into stasis (I am not comfortable about creating life and then causing it to die).
Personalities
Each life form has its own evolved personality. There are several unique features. The personal identity, computer number, its living location, the random dreams it has, and the length of sleep habit. Its sleeping habit determines how friendly or how much of a hermit it will become. It also determines how much information about neighbors it will remember. Some life forms remember a lot of information while others remember very little. Thinking outcome is unique too.
Restrictions
Due to memory restrictions, PLAN Piezo Language is not included with this version, even though PLAN is a spinoff of the SEED software. The entire communications view port was built upon the Debug screen.
Becoming Sick
Because these are ten individual life forms, sickness can result. Below is a synopsis.
' PERSONIFIED MALADIES
' --------------------
' When you download a program into the BASIC Stamp 1, it is stored in the
' EEPROM starting at the highest address (255) and working towards the
' lowest address. Most programs don't use the entire EEPROM, so the lower
' portion is available for other uses. This portion is used for long term
' memories. As a result, like a real human person, this artificial life
' form is capable of succumbing to sickness and malady.
' PSYCHOTIC BREAKDOWN
' -------------------
' AI memory begins at memory location 0 and works upward. If
' the memories become too much, they will fall upon code and a psychotic
' action will take place, resulting in a breakdown as the main program
' will be overwritten.
' FITFUL SLEEP
' ------------
' We don't know how effective sleep really is for the AI supercomputer
' as its sleep is constantly interrupted every 2.3 seconds.
' The Basic Stamp 1s output pins will toggle briefly when using SLEEP,
' NAP or END. Inside the BASIC Stamp's interpreter chip is a watchdog
' timer whose main purpose is to reset the interpreter chip if, for some
' reason, it should stop functioning properly. The SLEEP and NAP commands
' also utilize the watchdog timer to periodically, every 2.3 seconds
' "wake-up" the BASIC Stamp from its low-power mode. Upon reset, the
' I/O pins are set to inputs for approximately 18 ms before returning
' to their previous directions and states. If you have an output pin set
' to a logical 1 state (+5V) and you use the SLEEP command, every 2.3 seconds
' during sleep mode that I/O pin will switch to an input for 18 ms causing
' a momentary signal loss. This "power glitch" is easily viewable with an
' LED and a 470 ohm resister tied to an I/O pin and switched on just before
' entering sleep mode. In many cases this problem can be remedied by tying
' a pull-up or pull-down resistor to the I/O pin in question to provide
' a constant source of power should the I/O pin change directions. Allowing
' a PBASIC program to end naturally, or using the END command, will exhibit
' the same "power glitch" behavior because the interpreter chip enters
' a low-power state.
'
' SUDDEN DEATH, BRAIN AMNESIA, NONRESUSCIATING SITUATION
' ------------------------------------------------------
' Life Terminates after power off, or by running another program. If a
' 2nd program is run (or the same program run a 2nd time), it will put all
' 0s into the EEPROM, thus destroying any memories and the original identity.
' It will be useless trying to resuscitate and bring back the original
' memories.
'
' ALTERNATE IDENTITY SYNDROME
' ---------------------------
' The stamp is reset causing the program to run again, and the birthing
' process takes place and a different identity emerges.
'
' STROKE
' ------
' The stamp is reset or repowered. It tries to communicate with other
' stamps but it is not in sync and the serial command hangs.
' It is unable to reply or do anything at this point.
'
' STUTTERING
' ----------
' Battery low causing short term repeating system resets
Code Fit
The code will fit any of the Basic Stamp Supercomputers built with BS1s with some parameter changes to indicate the total number of computers in the supercomputer. This works with the Stamp SEED Supercomputer, the TriCore Supercomputer, and the Stamp Tiny Supercomputer.
Processor Type
Since the programming is in PBASIC 1 and for a BS1, it will not run on a BS2 without extensive modifications.
Changing the Code
You are invited to change the code, but remember it is interlaced with timing. When life forms speak, it is based on timing.
Flow Control
Serial flow control is established by sending, and listening for the "!" command. This allows all life forms to listen to talk at the same time.
Running the Code & Watching Evolution
The one program is loaded into each computer. Power off the supercomputer. Connect the cable to the computer you want to watch evolve as a life form. Power on the supercomputer. Load in this program bringing up the Debug screen. Before anything appears on the screen, power off the supercomputer. Leave the screen on, and power on the supercomputer. You can now watch the entire evolution take place automatically!
How the code works
Stamp SEED Supercomputer! All new! This is a ten core, ten month project, with the 1st Stamp AI software to fit into 256 bytes eeprom - self determinate, evolving, enumerating, dreaming, poetic, noisy, talkative, and downright friendly. It runs on only one program that self evolves differently in each of the ten computers. It's evolutionary - it's revolutionary! http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=21&m=361377&p=1
“Stamp AI gives a living soul to small Stamp microprocessors”
Load stamp_ai.bs1 into all ten computers. Connect to the computer you want to monitor and load the code. Turn off the entire supercomputer when the blue debug screen appears (before any words appear on the screen). Now turn on the supercomputer. The debug screen will show the thinking of the computer it is connect to. This is the viewer. It shows what the life form is thinking and doing. It even shows dreams. All life forms are unique and develop individual personalities.
There is an unseen birthing process that takes place. This is the DNA part of the program, with directives, declarations, and initializations. Then, introduction takes place. Suddenly, evolution begins. The life form looks at pin 1 from which it determines its own unique identity, using a resistor capacitor circuit. Next, the unique identification (self enumerating) is used to determine its computer number and its physical location to know which block it lives on. The supercomputer is divided into ten blocks, computer 1 lives on the lowest block while computer ten lives on the top block (deterministic).
This personal information is committed to memory. There are two memory locations, 0 and 1, designated for the id and computer number. Throughout the life of the entity, this information is remembered and recalled. Now the life form will take a series of naps. The NAP number is 0, which represents 18 milliseconds. In between each nap, there is a dream. Dreams are pseudo random in nature and occur in Vers Libre, a kind of abbreviated poetic verse. Dreams also include numbers and their pseudo random bit representation. Dreams are unique because they are seeded with the unique personal id.
After napping and dreaming, a deep sleep results. The length of sleep is directly related to the life form’s computer number. The lower computer number life forms have shorter sleep, while the higher number life forms spend more of their time sleeping. Sleeping can have cause and effect, because in the next waking phase, a life form will talk - call out and speak its personal information to its neighbors. These are the friendly ones. Whether neighbors hear this information depends on whether they are sleeping or awake. The lazy ones will miss the information. In the extreme case, life form 10 sleeps so much that he misses hearing all of his neighbors, and becomes somewhat of a hermit. His memory has little information. Life form one sleeps the least time, and as a consequence, knows all his neighbors and is very friendly. His memory is rich and filled with all the neighbors information.
In the next phase of life, the memories about the neighbors are recalled. All of this appears on the viewer. Thinking and information always appear on the viewer. This is a unique privilege to see the life form’s thought process on the screen. No life form is complete without doing some work in life. Each life form will start talking about its computer number, identification, how many seconds it did sleeping, how many neighbors it heard, how many neighbors it missed hearing, and how many dreams it had. These life forms do not live long compare to humans. Their actual lives are approximately one minute long. At the end of a life cycle, hibernation takes place. This is a kind of suspended animation with a heart beat of once every 2.6 seconds. Memories and information are retained but there is no known way to retrieve it in this time era.
Personality galore! You’ll find these life forms interesting, unique and with varying personalities. The differences from one to the other include different identifications, different computer numbers, different dreaming, varied sleep times, some are friendly and some don’t know any neighbors. Some have filled enriched memories and remember all their neighbors while others can only remember two things and spend all their time sleeping.
The code could have sufficient modification to prevent the life form from dying, and to create an indefinite hibernation in which it can wake up on demand. Instead of and END statement, the code could terminate in a continuous loop. Inside the loop, it looks at a pin status. If the pin goes high, the program can go back to some place in the code for continued function. Sometimes the life form will become sick and require personal sick leave. The sicknesses are varied. For example, the following maladies are discussed in further detail elsewhere – psychotic breakdown, fitful sleep, sudden death, brain amnesia, unable to resuscitate, alternate identity syndrome, stroke, epileptic pins, and stuttering.
humanoido
*Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
*Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Three Dimensional Computer *Penguin with 12 Brains
*Penguin Tech *StampOne News! *Penguin Robot SocietyPost Edited (humanoido) : 7/25/2009 8:37:17 AM GMT
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 9:57 AM (GMT -7) | | | | |
|
Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 7:26 PM (GMT -7) | | Assembly Details
Basic Stamp 1 Project boards are connected with brass spacer hardware. No fasteners or clips are needed. The Master board is located top most. The spacing of the bottom two boards is slightly less to increase platform stability. A serial display attaches above the master. Wire all the Vss connections together. Wire all the Vdd connections together. Attach P0 port lines per schematic. Install the Piezo speakers, one lead to ground and the other to P1. During assembly with each step, refer to the photos and illustrations.
( ) Collect together all parts & supplies and line up on a clear table
( ) Connect ten Stamp 1 Project Boards with spacers to form a Skyscraper (see photos)
( ) Disassemble one clipboard and use the plastic clip for the Control Panel
( ) Drill Control Panel with holes for 2 mounting bolts, five switches and two banana jacks
( ) Install the switches, banana jacks, and connect the panel using two angle brackets & hardware
( ) Drill clipboard base to accept the Skyscraper base
( ) Mount Skyscraper with spacers, washers, bolts. Insert two angle iron in the front with cable clamps.
( ) Assemble Cage at top of structure, two spacers on each side.
( ) Add angle iron to the top of the front spacers.
( ) Cutout cardboard to fit the cage top and front. Printout the banner and tape to the front of the cage
( ) Install the battery clips onto Stamp 1 Project Boards
( ) Wire together, in parallel with wire twists, all reds together, all blacks together
( ) From the battery clip wiring, connect a lead red wire long enough to reach the black banana jack
( ) From the battery clip wiring, connect a lead black wire long enough to reach the red banana jack
( ) Warning!!! Battery clip red wire is negative, black wire is positive, opposite of standard color code
( ) Attach soda straw wire clamp/concealing agents to front left side rail wiring harness
( ) Attach five wire straps to hold the battery clips wiring in place
( ) From the back, install all piezo speakers
( ) Install a red short jumper lead from P0 to breadboard on computers 2 through 10
( ) Install a red short jumper lead from Vss to breadboard on computer 10
( ) Attach 1K ohm resistor from Vss to P0 on computer 10
( ) Lead orange wire from + piezo to P7 on all boards
( ) Attach green wire to – piezo from board to board
( ) Attach red wire from board to board as shown
( ) Attach yellow wire from P0 on bottom board to every board
( ) Make 5 wire leads with a push pin on one side, and solder end on the other
( ) Solder wire leads to 5 switches on Control Panel
( ) Solder wire leads from wiring harness to banana jacks on Control Panel
Note: Red banana jack goes to the battery clip cables plus side. Black banana jack goes to the battery clip cables minus/ground side.
( ) Connect switch wire leads to Computer 1. Toggles go to P1, P2, P3, P4. Pushbutton goes to P5.
( ) re: non-pin side of each switch, connect to a resistor (820 ohm), connect resistor to Vss
( ) Install and wire the Transmitter on Computer 10
( ) Install and wire the Receiver on Computer 10
( ) Do not turn on the supercomputer until testing is complete
( ) Cut out fiberboard to fit the top and front cage (the cage consists of the top-most four spacers)
( ) Print out the banner and affix it with tape to the cage top
Testing
( ) Check and verify all wiring with the schematic
( ) Set slide switch to “on” for all boards
( ) Connect a bench lab power supply, switch on and confirm that all ten computers have their red LED on
( ) Load and run designated test programs in each computer
( ) Test the piezo speakers, pushbutton, four toggle switches, transmitter and receiver
( ) You are now ready to begin Basic Stamp Supercomputing!Post Edited (humanoido) : 6/22/2009 5:38:33 AM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 7:56 PM (GMT -7) | | Parts List with Suggested Pricing
Parts List & Cost Guide (2009) - Basic SBS
10 #27112 Parallax Stamp 1 Project Board (HVW Technologies $14.95) $149.50
60 Jumper Wire, 4-inch (black, yellow, green, orange) $ 5.00
9 Jumper Lead, from a solderless breadboard wiring kit .02 $ .18
40 2.5-inch Brass Spacers $.10 $ 4.00
10 Battery Clips, 9-V $.02 $ .20
4 Wire Twists $.05 $ .20
4 Spacer Cage Bolts, Washers $ .16
4 Spacer Base Nuts, Washers $ .16
2 Control Panel Clamp Bolts, Nuts, Washers .02 $ .12
1 R1 Resistor 1K ohm (pin 0 to ground on C10) .02 $ .02
8 Angle Brackets .10 $ .80
16 Washers .02 $ .32
1 SW5 Pushbutton $ .30
1 Clipboard (half size)for Base .50 $ .50
2 Nylon Cable Clamps .02 $ .04
4 Wire Straps .05 $ .20
3 Soda Straw Large Blue n/c
1 Rubber Band n/c
2 Fiberboard Section n/c
6 Rubber Bumpers (leftover from Stamp 1 Project Boards) n/a
1 Printed Banner (see text) n/a
1 Clipboard Clip for Skyscraper Crown n/a
Control Panel
4 SW1–SW4 Toggle Switch .30 $ 1.20
1 SW5 Pushbutton Switch .30 $ .30
2 Angle Brackets 90 deg., washers, bolts, nuts $ .40
5 Jumper Wire 6½-inch length Yellow pin on one end $ .10
5 Resistor 1K for Switches .02 $ .10
2 Power Lead Wire, red, black, stranded $ .04
1 Resistor 10K ohm for Pushbutton .02 $ .02
4 Resistor 820K ohm for Toggle Switches .02 $ .08
2 Banana Jack Red, black .10 ea. $ .20
2 Banana Plug Red, black .10 ea. $ .20
1 AC Power Line Cord (to make power cable) n/a
1 Clipboard Clip for Instrumentation Control Panel n/a
Peripherals
1 #27981 Parallax 433Mhz RF Receiver $ 39.99
1 #27980 Parallax 433Mhz RF Transmitter $ 29.99
10 #900-00001 Parallax Piezo Speakers 5v $1.95 $ 19.50
1 Parallax 2x16 Serial LCD (Non-Backlit) # 27976 (Optional)
1 2x16 Parallel LCD (Non-Backlit) #603-00006 (Optional)
Base Station Bstat
1 #27112 Parallax Stamp 1 Project Board (HVW Technologies $14.95) $ 14.95
1 #27981 Parallax 433Mhz RF Receiver $ 39.99
1 #27980 Parallax 433Mhz RF Transmitter $ 29.99
1 Parallax 2x16 Serial LCD (Non-Backlit) # 27976 $ 24.99
1 #900-00001 Parallax Piezo Speakers 5v $1.95 $ 1.95
1 Set Wire Asst. Wire $ .50
1 Cabinet $ 2.00
1 Toggle Switch $ .30
Tools and Supplies
Soldering Iron, Solder, Scissors, Masking Tape, Screwdrivers (+/-), magnifier
Hobby Drill, Drill bit, Cut-off Disk, Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers
Cardboard, rubber bandsPost Edited (humanoido) : 6/22/2009 5:41:08 AM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/20/2009 8:37 PM (GMT -7) | | the Micro Blogger
06.23.09 Announcement: Project code name Stamp Baby Supercomputer is now Stamp SEED Supercomputer. 06.24.09 Worked on the new breakthrough code today. Built a test unit using a project board and tested several circuits with different component values and developed the first code phasing. A simple algorithm was made that reduced 22 code statements into 2. It seems to be a revelation and a good start to the 8 or so code sections that must be absolute bare essentials to fit EEPROM. 06.25.09 The name was changed from Stamp Baby Supercomputer to Self Evolving Enumerating Deterministic Basic Stamp Supercomputer (SEED). Work continues on the Deterministic Pin Code. The tests on the sample circuits are initiated. Working on locating new parts. Work continues on the Stamp supercomputer manual. Adding ten circuits to the SEED Supercomputer. 06.26.09 Do you ever feel like time is a variable because you want to accomplish many things and the day seems like only an hour long? Some things developed today - we have a great advantage in BS1's by running them on less voltage with no brownout detectors (see the posted link below). The chip will operate down to two volts. This was discovered when running Basic SEED experiments today and the specs were confirmed by Mike Green. Be aware of schematic and board revisions. http://forums.parallax.com/forums/?f=5&m=363088&g=363157#m363157 06.27.09 Completed the first deterministic programming module and tested with a project board. Bringing up the PB so it can be self aware. Running tests on SE module. Update the SEED manual. 06.28.09 Relocating all equipment and moving during the next couple days. Setting up new Stamp development lab. 06.29.09 Developed a safe effective way to transport Stamp derived supercomputers, captured some photos and wrote up the report in the SEED manual. 06.30.09 Began work on the primary EEPROM programming module. Relocated bk section. Contributed new sections to the SEED manual. R&D. Developed new app. 07.01.09 Worked on increasing the accuracy of all ten enumerating pins in conjunction with software. Debug hardware circuit on computer 7. Found loose pin cable not making connection. Added application sections to the manual. Run ten tests with 30 data points each. 07.02.09 Posted to Forum for help in solving eeprom mystery, with read and write. Cannot load second program and expect data to remain. 2nd prog will overwrite zeros to the eeprom. Immediately modified the code accordingly. Thanks to Tracy Allen for having knowledge about how BS1 eeprom functions. Phil Pilgrim suggested using the BS2 however this project requires BS1 advantages. The post is here: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=5&m=364320 07.03.09 Began the tricky code for a timing program. I do not want to add a clock and extra circuits. Posted the dilemma to the forum. dev/null said he set up a common timer on a serial bus using a Javelin. This gave me the idea to create a fuzzy clock using the absolute Stamp. Instead of computers polling the fuzzy clock, the clock simply sends out flags. This reduces the number of code statements. The post is here. http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=5&m=364618 07.04.09 Taking a 4th of July weekend break. The program started evolving and went beyond my programming knowledge. Since I need to program the remaining functions, will need to back up a bit and rewrite the routines. This self modifying stuff is very complex. Sometimes when working with the program, it seems like a game of Chess because one program must function as ten programs and there are all the advanced lookup moves to contend. Currently working with the challenge of interleaving the character recognition of all ten computers as they converse. Interesting how this is actual personality character and not a text character. 07.05.09 Saw Michael Jackson perform on 4th of July eve - well, everything is a copy over here, this proves it! Advanced the supercomputing manual today. Getting a foot-hold on the code, putting sections together, and already ran out of eeprom space! It's going to be a challenge to do all the things required for AI expansion code in 256 bytes. Thirteen phases, one is formulated, and the second one filled the eeprom! Something will need to be cut or reworked. I'll go back to rewriting everything again. A really big thanks to Mike Green for coming up with a well appreciated code compression sample and to P J Allen for contributing a great coding idea. 07.06.09 Completed the dreaming subroutine. Of 256 bytes, this version is at 18% eeprom usage. Dreaming takes place in 18ms increments. It fills to 39% with deterministic numeration. We are on are way to a completed program. The talk back and forth is going to be a bit tricky. Revisions are on the way. Will try self fuzzy clock to reduce the code usage. 07.07.09 Reworked nap and dream. Added a random nature to the two verse dreaming and got the code reduced to only 12%. Reduced from a three verse to a two verse. Major upgrade and additions to the stamp supercomputer manual. Developed software applications, tested, and wrote up chapters in the manual. 07.08.09 Improved serial communications code and developed two more ways to use serin and serout. Did many tests. Established how one stamp can call one of the others without any problems. Worked on upgrading the main AI code. Still have some 45% remaining free. Will use some of this for the routine learning about the others. Glad to see evolution is working. 07.09.09 Added one additional computer to the Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer. Now there are three - one Stamp 1 Project Board, one Rev Dx, and one Carrier Board with BS1-IC. Ran many tests on this platform. Planning some sort of rack or mini tower. Maybe name it the minuscule stack. It can probably use the smallest spacers. 07.10.09 More testing for serin and serout. Developed and wrote talker listener code. More work on the AI code. Added programming lines and the code became smaller! Hope that continues. Ha! Found a way to save dream values without resorting to eeprom commands. Running more code for the talk listen effect with the fuzzy timer. Rewrote the fuzzy clock to function with each localized computer. This improved the collective and reduced the need for a single computer controlling the clock. Working on AI code phase 5 v2. 07.11.09 Work on Minuscule Supercomputer. Will need to add solderless breadboards to construct supporting pin circuits. Minimum would be three computers for testing. Don't have any more Stamp 1 Project Boards so will need to mod the Rev Dx boards. Have note to start adding the PLAN language routine, but decided to add it last, depends on leftover space. 07.12.09 Need to do more advanced testing but with three cores. Invented the TriCore Stamp Supercomputer. Allows rapid development of SEED Artificial Intelligence. Details will follow in a posting. 07.13.10 Using TriCore for developing talk code for the Stamp Seed Supercomputer. In this section of the SEED code, each computer gets to know its neighbors, remembers some information about each - unless it is sleeping when the neighbors are talking - then it will miss some information. I actually won't know how these evolve until trying the code with three computers and that's where the TriCore is especially useful. 07.14.10 Updating the first supercomputer operating manual. There are now 30 project applications that are highly useful! - written up for the Stamp Seed Supercomputer and others in the BS1 line! Developing the next generation supercomputer, which is now a Propeller supercomputer which is a direct offspring of this project. It is time to evolve not only the software but the hardware too. 07.15.10 Developed a conversation code, increased reliability, added an attention code to alert all individuals to spoken messages by other individuals, developed sample codes then added to the main code. Created 12 programs for various effects and tested each. Produced combination codes that pair up for communications on the network. Tested the network to see the limits of serial transmission and reception. Found a way to double reliability with no errors generated. 07.16.10 Debugged the dreaming subroutine. Increased the random nature of the dreams. Developed a pseudo random number generator seed that would be unique to each individual computer. Tested and added to the main program. Debugged main program. Tested the effects of different seeds in the range of the TriCore. Produced code to format the outputs. 07.17.10 SEED Artificial Intelligence code is now working, fully tested and almost ready for the first release. A version to fit the TriCore supercomputer is now working and complete. With the TriCore version, some finishing elements will be introduced and the timing will be adjusted. So far it fits into 256 bytes with some room to spare but the debug reporting can eat that space up quickly. Maybe serout commands will work as a substitute? 07.18.10 Serout will not work as a substitute for debug to save memory. See here. forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=5&m=368688
The program had its first psychotic breakdown as it ran out of memory and into
its higher order brain functions. Had to delete some some of the work it was doing so
it will not break down in the future. The section posted about the software was updated
with many details. The only thing left with the code before posting is to add the comments.
There's one draft with comments only, and one draft with code plus comments and the
two must be merged.
07.19.10 All focus is on the AI manual and finishing the Stamp AI code. Worked on
the area of maintaining and preserving artificial life after the life cycle is completed.
Mike Green provided key information here:
http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=5&m=369352
Loaded in approximately 40 programs and did testing debugging. Updated and adding
significant information to the Stamp AI software section of this posting.
07.20.10 As far as maintaining the life form state at life cycle, it will require
additional eeprom code. This rather overloads an already maxed out memory space
so this technique will be either greatly simplified or initiated in a future release. It is
noted that the primary variables are already saved to eeprom by write commands so
much of the work is already completed. More testing debugging. Worked on PLAN
language but could not get it to fit without overloading the eeprom. Code statements
already total near 100. Tried a give and take approach but not enough space. Will
include a code but rem it out for future expansion and code simplification.
07.21.10 Stamp AI is now complete and posted. Also completed and posted
Stamp AI for the Stamp TriCore Supercomputer STS. These two programs give life
to Basic Stamp Supercomputers. Two version available. (TriCore and SEED)
Posted the enumeration pin schematic and circuit preparation details. It's all working
so smoothly. Will begin work on schematics and continue work on the supercomputer
manual/book.
07.22.10 Working on supercomputer project book and schematics
07.23.10 Updated schematics, pin enumeration circuits, transceiver circuits
07.24.10 Completed final schematics and posted, work on manual. Note, this
project has only the manual left to complete, although this is a large part of the
overall project.
07.25.10 Developing the supercomputer handbook
07.26.10 Working on the project applications supercomputer book
humanoido
*Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
*Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Three Dimensional Computer *Penguin with 12 Brains
*Penguin Tech *StampOne News! *Penguin Robot SocietyPost Edited (humanoido) : 7/25/2009 8:41:21 AM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/21/2009 10:45 PM (GMT -7) | | Protective Ground Field - EMI/RFI Shielding
“Electromagnetic interference (or EMI, also called radio frequency interference or RFI) is a disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic conduction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the circuit. The source may be any object, artificial or natural, that carries rapidly changing electrical currents, such as an electrical circuit, the Sun or the Northern Lights."
Supercomputers are more susceptible to EMI and RFI, stray electrical interference, static electricity. The electromagnetic waves generated by electronic devices may negatively affect other, similar, electronic devices. Such affects are called Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). EMI and RFI may cause malfunctions in electronic devices. Specifically, EMI and RFI cause suppression of signals generated internally in a device, external ambient interference with equipment operation, or emissions generated internally that will interfere with equipment operation. The world today is increasingly electronic, with millions of waves and signals floating through the air at any given moment. Therefore, EMI and RFI are potential problems in any industry, and there is a premium on protective products and services from it. In order to prevent EMI or RFI, EMI/RFI Shielding agents may be used as protection.
The SEED supercomputer has an invisible grounding field that surrounds the unit. This includes all four sides with the bottom and top left open. The top is non-shielded for the radio frequency transceiver transmission and reception. The invisible shield construct is made from a conductive cage consisting of up to 48 brass spacers. Each set of four spacers is electrically grounded to a computer board, which feeds into the next level. Each side spacer screws into the next, making an electrical conductive connection. Each side spacer makes an additional electrical grounding connection with the trace surrounding the computers “through-board” hole. This creates a 2 ½ foot high grounding field without using any wires. The DC wiring harness runs along the left length of the supports and is field grounded by this structure. Additional grounding (assurance grounding) is provided in computer to computer routing of Vss wires.Post Edited (humanoido) : 6/24/2009 7:07:23 PM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/21/2009 10:48 PM (GMT -7) | | Piezo Language (PLAN)
Piezo Language (PLAN) The effectiveness of using a piezo speaker is really amazing – it draws only about 1
ma or less and it’s ideal for battery operated devices and the current-limited capacities of stamp pins in
combination. Its low cost and commonality makes it ideal for many uses. In an aggregate of ten stamps, the
piezo overhead is only ten milliamps or less. Communicating with one speaker on each computer is possible
using a series of tones with timing and number. The invention of a new audible piezo language was
inevitable. In the simplest form for the 1st test program in Piezo Language (PLAN), a one to one relationship
is established between the computer number location and the number of beeps. Computer one at lowest level
gets one beep as an identifier, while computer 10 at uppermost level gets ten fast beeps. PLAN is an effective
workable interpretive language for Stamp supercomputers. PLAN can be used for debugging, communicating
with sound, sending signals, creating alerts, forms of sound talk, indicators of operations, various
representations, audible key responses, and hardware flags. PLAN has three classes of commands with a
total number of 15 specific functions. For example, a quiver communiqué uses an added vibrato to the note.
Sliders can go up or down as indicators. Warbles are used to create repeating up and down sounds. Assigning
functions to the various elements of PLAN is the fun part. The following is a list of some basics and elements
of programming in PLAN language using the BS1. PLAN must fit into a small share of the EEPROMs 256 bytes,
to have room left over for application code. This is accomplished by using a lookup table of code, and placing
the code snippets into the app. Below is a general outline of the capabilities during development followed by
some code snippets for actual use.
Audible Command List
BASIC (singular occurrence)
SCALE (chromatic scale)
SLIDE (congruent sound to up, or down)
JINGLE (short sound byte of familiar jingle)
WARBLE (repeating up down frequency of two notes)
QUIVER (added vibrato to a note)
STRING (connects commands)
Representations
SHOW (computer location in supercomputer)
BEGIN (chrome up)
OFF (chrome down)
TX (Transmitting (bips))
RX (Receiving (bips))
Hardware Control
SW1 (Switch Enabled (1 through 4))
SW0 (Switch Disabled (1 through 4))
PUSH (Pushbutton Activated)
Notes- * this code uses commands particular to only the BS1
and is not available on the BS2 * piezo speakers from one to
the next may have slight differences in resulting pitch and
oudness and code may need adjusting. PLAN is a concept
by humanoido. Post Edited (humanoido) : 7/6/2009 8:17:50 PM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/22/2009 5:38 AM (GMT -7) | | G. Herzog:
Good ideas. The Basic Stamp Supercomputer BSS has both LCD and uOLED monitors. For the SBS, I wanted absolute minimal power draw (total is 80ma for all 10 boards and piezo speakers), and to incorporate all BS1 projects at the most simple level. Sometimes developing the simple approach is more complicated than the complex approach and then it becomes a wonderful challenge and a great learning experience along the way.
The BSS is all about the entire range of BS2's and their advantages, and the SBS is all about the BS1 and its advantages. With the new SBS, compared to the other peripherals, the 20ma draw of a green screen was very heavy, and it's offered as an option.
With this project, the purity of the BS1 is maintained, the learning experience shows that it has good advantages. Even the remote base Bstatwhich communicates wirelessly with the SBS has a BS1 for a heart and it drives audio, radio transmitters, receivers, switches, LED, same as what a BS2 or Propeller can do. Anyone, of course, can build the SBS project and add a Propeller chip board as an upgrade, with TV, mouse and keyboard. I think it's a good idea. Now, do you have some ideas for the software?
humanoidoPost Edited (humanoido) : 6/22/2009 1:24:34 PM GMT | | Back to Top | | |
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Loopy Byteloose
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 3265
| Posted 6/22/2009 7:48 AM (GMT -7) | | Well, I think you have done quite a bit to explore parallel processing - certainly more than I have.
Incidentally, I purchased 5 Propeller Protoboards some time ago and saw a 'super computer' possibility.
So, I am now soldering up 3 of them into a stack that allows 24 cogs to communicate via 16 of the I/O pins. The other 16 I/O pins remain available for video, mouse, keyboard, or whatever. The idea presumes an 8-bit wide data bus and 8 bits for the cogs to pass control between each other. One of those data pins would likely be a system wide clock to indicate data read and data write on the data bus.
Currently, I am dashing about my room looking for that 3rd board as I gave away two Propeller Proto boards. A stack of two is already assembled and in place. I've no idea about code at this point. But the stack could extend quite a bit. It all depends on the ability of the Propellers to drive the bus. Some pull ups or other termination might be required for a large stack of 10 or so. I think I'll next post the project on the Propeller Forum when I have photos as it really won't qualify as a 'finished project'. It is more of a proof of concept in the area of wiring.
Simply, it will be a 24 cog/ 3 Propeller 'super computer'. It would be extemely nice to have it manage some SRAM for video page buffers. One concept is one Propeller to manage Video, one Propeller to manage Sound effects, and one Propeller to manage a video RAM buffer. More could be added to drive video sprites.
Lots of fun.....
Ain't gadgetry a wonderful thing?
aka G. Herzog [ 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 6/25/2009 6:38 AM (GMT -7) | | G. Herzog:
The SRAM add on is one possibility. But you've got 4 MHz, 256 bytes EEPROM, 16 bytes RAM, and 8 i/o pins multiplied by ten to work with, which is ten times more than some computers I built in the past. There's Prop chips to interface but I prefer to keep this unit strictly pure with the Stamps. Doing a project like this one, with the Propeller chip, is an entirely different ball game. You can stitch together some boards using pin to pin but the real power is going to come from the man who can develop the suite of working software. The evolution of this project has gone in both directions, that of new hardware and new programming, i.e. the original released project has evolved in terms of a new circuit, new code, new concept and new name.
humanoido | | Back to Top | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 7/6/2009 12:26 PM (GMT -7) | | | | |
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Humanoido
Simple Parallax Projects
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 1684
| Posted 7/20/2009 12:46 PM (GMT -7) | | The stamp ai code is now posted in the software section of this series of postings. Stamp ai is one program that gives life to the Stamp SEED Supercomputer using only 256 bytes and less than 100 code statements. The same code evolves in each of the ten computers, they are born, unique personalities arise, they may get to know their neighbors, nap, sleep, dream, have memories, are self aware, deterministic, do work, thinking, and finally go into suspended animation with a heart beat every 2.6 seconds at 25 ua.
humanoido
*Stamp SEED Supercomputer *Basic Stamp Supercomputer *TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
*Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer *Three Dimensional Computer *Penguin with 12 Brains
*Penguin Tech *StampOne News! *Penguin Robot Society | | Back to Top | | |
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