Is propeller for me?
replica rob
Posts: 9
Hi, I have no experience in micro controllers, and I am thinking of buying a micro controller programming kit.
The projects I work on deal with scale models and im trying to expand the realism of the models by adding light, sound and servo movement.
The main thing im looking for is the ability to program a chip so after it is installed in the scale model my customer can activate the sequences with a button. For instance they press a button and a servo opens the landing gear on a airplane while playing a wav file of a jet engine and running a light sequence that is specific to that aircraft.
Is this something that can be accomplished with the propeller?
I would appreciate any product suggestions as far as what I would need to learn the product as well as advice on what goes into assembling the device. What I mean is would I after writing the program simply connect the lights, speaker and servos to the pins on the micro controller or would I need to have a much deeper education on components such as resistors and so fourth?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Rob
The projects I work on deal with scale models and im trying to expand the realism of the models by adding light, sound and servo movement.
The main thing im looking for is the ability to program a chip so after it is installed in the scale model my customer can activate the sequences with a button. For instance they press a button and a servo opens the landing gear on a airplane while playing a wav file of a jet engine and running a light sequence that is specific to that aircraft.
Is this something that can be accomplished with the propeller?
I would appreciate any product suggestions as far as what I would need to learn the product as well as advice on what goes into assembling the device. What I mean is would I after writing the program simply connect the lights, speaker and servos to the pins on the micro controller or would I need to have a much deeper education on components such as resistors and so fourth?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Rob
Comments
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
You will need some kind of speaker amplifier. The Propeller Demo Board has a built-in headphone amplifier that will need an amplified speaker and some other Propeller boards have audio outputs that will feed a Line-In input of an amplifier.
For the lights (LEDs?) you will need a current limiting resistor that depends on the color of the LED (mostly). A typical red LED would need 82 Ohms in series. A typical green LED might need 68 Ohms. It depends on the specific LED and how bright you want it. Learn Ohms' Law (search the Wikipedia for that).
You also might want to take a look at the Basic Stamp, also made by Parallax. They have all sorts of beginner-level education kits and tutorials that take you step by step. In my humble opinion, the Propeller is not for someone with zero knowledge of microprocessors, but my idol, Mike Green, might disagree with me on that.
good luck,
as the others have mentioned...
there is a good microcontroller starter kit, using the basic stamp, called "What's a Microcontroller" - I like to recommend that as start-from-square-one book:
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Education/KitsandBoards/tabid/182/CategoryID/67/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/327/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName
That's from a group of other good starters, here:
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Education/KitsandBoards/tabid/182/List/0/CategoryID/67/Level/a/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName
tons of tutorials via here:
http://www.parallax.com/Education/EducationHome/tabid/463/Default.aspx
cheers,
- Howard
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If you go the propeller route then each project will cost you less
but it will be a bit harder to do. But remember that the people here
on this forum will help you over any hurdles.
We have The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill at work and it is a huge
and very expensive book. I recommend something more like "Electronics for Dummies"
I actually have that book
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- Some mornings I wake up cranky.....but usually I just let him sleep -
With the propeller, if I wrote a program that activated a bank of leds in sequence like an array, at the same time played a wav and at the same time moved a servo half a turn, would I need to connect a servo driver, amplifier and proper resistors for the leds?
I noticed there are lots of different options.
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Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.
But you·can·call me micro.
If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.
I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use generic avatars (and I'm more of a Prop head then a BS2 nut, anyway)
if you have no knowledge about electronics I highly recommend to learn some basic things like:
- Ohm's Law
-where current-limiting resistors are needed,
- in which cases you need a transistor to switch on/off lamps/LEDs or DC-motors
if you want to do all those things mentioned in parallel at the same time the propeller is better suited
without this basic knowledge it will be hard to narrow down faults
best regards
Stefan
Yes, you would need support circuits. Typically, these things are not directly driven by the chip.
I recommend the Propeller Education Kit, and the 40 PIN DIP version, if you can get it. The 40 pin DIP is the most friendly package to work with, IMHO. Several members here also sell some really cool kits that are structured so you can build lego style, if you want to. A look at those, after you've done some labs and know your way around would be a good idea.
There are four core elements to this:
1. Scope of understanding for your various project plans. LED, SERVO, SOUND, etc...
It's totally possible to zero in on one of these, say the LED, and get some success. I would do that, then tackle another one, potentially building a model with that effect.
2. Programming
The Propeller isn't that tough for the stuff you are wanting to do. There are lots of objects, and you can do the same lego style approach. Timing loops to flash LED's, Move the servo, user input, etc... Again, tackle one at a time, get some success then build on it. The Prop is really great for this.
3. Gear
If I were you, focusing on the programming and some very simple labs will get you doing some fun stuff! The LEDs, for example are not tough, nor are simple sounds and other things you can do with the PE kit labs. Those circuits are not complex, and the rules for the electronics can be understood at a level where you can troubleshoot visually. Moving beyond that means you need some stuff! Multi-Meter, Logic Probe, O-scope, etc... The Multi-Meter is the most important starter device. You can actually build your own propeller based logic probe, and an o-scope is the all purpose device to get when you can.
For the kinds of things you want to do, it sure seems to me like modest, but capable, maybe used gear makes great sense. Ask around. There are lots of people here (who know this way better than I do), who can give you some good advice and help you with device selection and deals to be had. Totally go down this road, once you hit your "no gear" brick wall.
Get a nice soldering station when you can. I'm on the pencil iron right now, and I'm reaching a point where I totally am going to upgrade. You can start solderless though. Breadboards and nice connecting wire can get you a long way. That's the PE kit.
4. Electronics
This happens in tandem with the Programming. Each task will open up the area of study, and when you do things in combination, or make your own board, then you start firing on all cylinders! There are lots of basic theory books where you can get your core, foundation skills established. Component types, DC theory, AC theory, Ohm's LAW, etc...
This is where I'm learning a lot right now, BTW. It's as fun as the programming is. I would deffo look at ways you can source replacement components though. Once you start digging in, you are gonna need stuff to work with, and replace as you let the smoke out. (this will make perfect sense in the near future, trust me [noparse]:)[/noparse] ) Here in PDX, we've got one of those surplus stores with just a ton of stuff out on display. You go snoop around, bag up your goodies, pay at the door and go home and tinker. It's not expensive that way. Others here can tell you where deals are to be had.
Thought you might appreciate a lay of the land, scope of effort wise. Most of what I just detailed applies no matter what micro you use. One distinguishing characteristic of the Propeller is it being hobby person friendly. You can get going with very small amounts of understanding, and components. It tolerates a fair amount too.
Good luck and have fun!
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Propeller Wiki: Share the coolness!
Chat in real time with other Propellerheads on IRC #propeller @ freenode.net
Safety Tip: Life is as good as YOU think it is!
If you want to play audio wav, the Basic Stamp 2, the Basic Stamp and the SX chip WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU.
(not without some external chip)
IF you want to play audio wav files easily, the Propeller Chip is the BEST way for you to go.
(objects in the OBEX already exist for you to play wav files back directly from the prop.)
As a prior BS2 and SX user and programmer, the PROPELLER language is just as easy to learn. IMHO
Excellent point!
That's correct the prop will be needed if he wants audio files to play.
You likely saved him some grief.
@replica rob
You need parts, lots and lots of parts.
See my post in the sandbox titled Holly's cheap parts roundup.
You can get a lot of parts to tinker with from tossed out
things like broken radios, tv's, vcr's..etc. and you can learn
how to solder by taking parts out and soldering them back into the
old junk circuit boards. It is interesting to see what you can make
from the parts of a junked item.
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- Some mornings I wake up cranky.....but usually I just let him sleep -
I have used the VMUSIC2 module to interface to BS1 and BS2 projects. It plays· .mp3 and .wmv files with simple serial interface. It's available for about $40.00 from Digikey,·Mouser, Dontronics, and others. Just put the files on a UBS Thumb drive and plug it in.
Details here:
http://www.vinculum.com/prd_vmusic1.html
Some BS1 and BS2 examples here:
http://www.scary-terry.com/vm2/vm2.htm
Hope that helps,
Jim
They will not be available from Parallax again for some time.
It's a horrible JIT inventory fiasco
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- Some mornings I wake up cranky.....but usually I just let him sleep -
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http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PropellerDatasheet-v1.2.pdf
I am really excited to get started. I am also glad there are so many people here who are willing to share.
I have so many ideas running through my head, ill take it slow and do the prerequisite learning that all of you did and try not to ask noob questions that are covered in the book.
I've noticed that even after reading these things several times, trying it a few times - I still can't quite 'get it' ... that's were you need a second and third (and hundredth?) person to look over your shoulder. It's always best, when you have a coding problem, a bug, or whatever, that you post the code when asking for assistance - there is a code button (the ' # ") in the post / post reply / or edit menu. This helps us not have to guess or ask you more questions - and you'll get an answer faster. (In fact, how fast you get a good, solid reply may surprise you!)
cheers
- Howard
(Emerging from Prop NOOBiedom - with a lot of help from here [noparse]:)[/noparse]
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Leon is correct in the type of book to get as a reference however, The Art of Electronics book is in the process of being updated. It still has lots of great info but it's a little out of date. I've been waiting for the third edition for about 5 years.
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From the WIKI
Third Edition
The 2nd edition is in many respects out of date, referencing obsolete electrical parts and omitting technologies developed since it was written. Because of this, the third edition is widely anticipated, leading to perennial rumors of its impending release. In 2006 the third edition appeared in some online databases with ISBN 0521809266, prompting further speculation. However, Winfield Hill responded with a statement that the book's arrival was still years off. Further excitement arose in January 2009 when the Borders bookstore began accepting pre-orders for delivery at the end of February.(1) This is an error; the manuscript is still not complete.(4]) The authors now anticipate publication in 2010
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I like this book as an affordable reference that's fairly current [noparse]:([/noparse]of course there are others available as well)
Practical Electronics for Inventors (Paperback) by Paul Scherz
2 new from $39.95 16 used from $17.99
Post Edited (Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)) : 9/3/2009 11:08:12 PM GMT
> The Art. of E. -·authors now anticipate [noparse][[/noparse]3rd ed.]·publication in 2010
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Jim