Center Brain Span Reinforcement
Center Span flex requires strengthening
Just when I thought the structure of the large
Brain was complete, a large amount of flexing
was noticed along both sides of the Brain Span
which is connected to the two adjacent side Brain
Spans.
The remedy for this, remove eight bolts, eight
nuts, install two 90-degree angle irons, and
reconnect with longer screws - then retest the
amount of flexing. Normally this would not be
much of a concern but with a mobile brain,
it becomes very important to resolve any flex
issues. For example, internally, the position
of numerous infrared LED transmitters will
require stable platforms from one board to the
next or from one to across-board stations.
Pencil marks the spot requiring reinforcement.
The middle Brain Span had too much flexure
and now requires additional reinforcement in
two positions. The fix is to place a small 90-
degree angle iron across the top and fasten
with two bolts.
Completed fix to reinforce two Brain Spans -
remember to do this process to both positions
on both sides of the center Brain Span
After this repair/upgrade, the EXO is very stable as
noticeable flexing is stopped. This fix is considered
a requirement for mobile brains and brains on
mobile robots.
Peripheral Adapter Module
A platform to hold and attach additional Brain peripherals
I'm now thinking about the design of a PAM Peripheral
Adapter Module. This could be an attachable platform
to the top of the Brain when in the horizontal desktop
mode.
The PAM could include a Brain instrument control panel
and a Brain TV and hold power/connection cables.
Pam would be removed for portable applications and
when the desktop horizontal flip mode is desired.
Envisioned is a green clipboard cut to platform size
and drilled with bolting holes that match the Brain
Span's spacer mounts/feet. This would allow rapid
deployment.
Brain Construction - TP Transparent Plastic
Common resource material for construction
The best part about finding Transparent plastic is it's
commonly available across the world. Clipboards are
everywhere! The green transparent clipboard is an
easy design material for the person who travels light
with a soldering iron. It can be worked with a metal ruler
straight edge - just scribe a hot line with the soldering
iron into the plastic and break off at the scribed line
when cooled. This is an easy way to readily construct
robotic platforms etc. by using commonly available
resources, especially since clipboards are very low
cost and found in varying sizes. For example, the BSS
Basic Stamp Supercomputer used clipboard construction.
For hobbyists on a shoestring budget, it's an ideal low
cost material.
Here's some advantages of working with TP Transparent Plastic
low cost
commonly available
cuts with common soldering iron
drills with simple common hand drill, moto tool or solder tip
reinforced with layering and air-crafting
light weight
structurally strong enough to support most peripherals
ideal for mounting tabs, platforms, extensions, housings
can also act as partitions, shields and full enclosures
see-though enables viewing of LEDs for power & data monitoring
For a reference of working with clipboards in a hobby application, refer to
the BSS BASIC Stamp Supercomputer construction. This project uses
clip boards as construction platforms for the tower, crown, and platform
base. The SEED Basic Stamp Supercomputer uses clipboards for the
crown and supporting base.
Showing the author's 16 pcs stockpile of
Transparent Plastic in clipboard form. TP
is perfect for hobbyists needing a low cost
construction material to build robots
and large brains.
There is a not-so-thin plastic film over the
LCD - Parallax part number is 30059. This is on
the Matrix Orbital LCD part number is LK204-25-WB.
Remove the film after handling and installation.
The soft plastic film will only accumulate scratching
and must be discarded.
The Matrix Orbital LCD without the plastic film.
Examine the black frame to see if the film is on
the LCD.
LCD with the plastic film
Note you can identify the presence of the film by
examining the front edge on the black metal. A
small edge of the film can be lifted and it should
easily remove.
Humanoido, I really like your DIY breadboard. It is such an outstanding idea, that is just too cool. I am just wondering why I did not think of that. There have been many times that I wished I had a demo board or development board just because of the breadboard. I can clearly see my next project with the Propeller Proto Board. Bruce
Hi Bruce, until you mention it, I hadn't realized the great extent of the use of this small solderless breadboard. A list of my projects shows this board and other solderless breadboards are used in every one! You can get an idea of how the boards were used in each project by following the links and seeing the photos.
Bruce, one of the ideas I liked the most for best use of a tiny breadboard is the Tiny BOE. As far as I know, it was never posted, but it did appear in the first issue of Penguin Tech magazine. This is a Tiny Board of Education made from a Parallax BS2 OEM and tiny solderless breadboard. It's so tiny, it's a shirt pocket thing. Featured with a switch, it can be used for lots of development in nearly any situation, being tiny and portable. So you can see the tiny Parallax breadboard fits on almost any board. Find it in source #19.
Also check the post numbers with the small breadboard and related information within this "Fill the Big Brain" thread.
Brain Bagging
Bag it - Brain bag your boards for longevity
Use of solderless breadboards mandates a relatively
clean room free of excessive dust. A clear plast bag
covering the EXO is an ideal low cost cheap way to
protect the Brain when not in use. This extends the
life of all breadboards.
The Brain contains 21 small solderless breadboards,
one used on each circuit board. This number will
increase with the addition of hosting boards. Brain
bag your boards for longevity.
Paper or plastic?
It's important to protect the Brain
when not in use. Solderless bread-
boards are protected from dust
settle with a clear plastic bag.
Brain Plumbing & Cryogenics
Brain installation of piping and routing of service tubes
Possible Brain design planning can now include the
routing of cryogenic service tubes and various plumbing,
since the EXO and Flip forms with Brain Spans are
completed. Plumbing pipes are for distributing gas
to create a significant super cooled environmental chamber
formed deep inside the Brain. Super cooling can assist
chips running at higher speed to dissipate heat and
distribute it elsewhere.
The 1st study of Brain plumbing
showing suggested piping and
service tubing for interfacing and
cryogenics.This arrangement is
likely to change as the system is
developed.
Sample positioning and routing must be considered as
well as the placement of the cryogenic chambers and
containment tubes and gas tanks to affect microprocessor
chips in the most favorable ways. Most of these topics will
be covered individually to focus attention to detail.
Reserved for data regarding Parallax temperature sensors
that can provide data within the range of chip and
cryogenic temperature ranges.
Digital Thermometer
The DS1620 is a complete digital thermometer on a chip, capable of replacing the normal combination of temperature sensor and analog-to-digital converter in most applications. It can measure temperature in units of 0.5° Centigrade (C) from -55° C to +125° C. (In Fahrenheit (°F), units of 0.9° F and a range of -67° F to +257° F.)
LM34 Temperature Sensor
The LM34 is a precision Fahrenheit temperature sensor in a standard TO-92 package suitable for remote applications or direct PCB mounting. The LM34 has a wide operating voltage range of 5 to 30 volts DC and a temperature range of -50° to +300°F.
AD592
This convenient analog temperature sensor used in the Applied Sensors Kit has attached wire leads, a submersible tip, and a performance range of -13 to +221° F (-25 to + 105° C).
DS2760
The Dallas/Maxim DS2760 High Precision Li+ Battery Monitor is very easily configured into an effective thermocouple interface. The Parallax DS2760 Thermocouple Module capitalizes on this application and provides a complete connection between BS2p BASIC Stamp microcontroller and a standard thermocouple element.
Features:
1-Wire interface allows multiple devices with just one BASIC Stamp I/O pin
Cold Junction measurement: 0 to +127 °C (0.125 °C resolution)
Low power consumption: Active current = 90 µA max, Sleep current: 2 µA max
Key Specifications:
Power Requirements: 2.5 V to 5.5 V @ 90 µA (max)
Communication: Dallas 1-Wire® Interface with unique 64-bit device address
Dimensions: 1.08 x 0.43 x 0.3 in (27.5 x 11 x 7 mm)
Operating Temperature: -4 to +158 °F (-20°C to +70°C)
Kit Contents:
Thermocouple Module
K-Type (Chromel/Alumel) Element Temperature Range: +32 to +1873 °F (0 to +1023 °C)
J-Type (Iron/Constantan) Element Temperature Range: +32 to +1873 °F (0 to +1023 °C)
T-Type (Copper/Constantan) Element Temperature Range: +32 to +752 °F (0 to +400 °C)
Cryogenic Brain Fuels
Examination of coolants and effects
A short study of Cryogenic fuels and related effects
Dry Ice
At temperatures below 195 K (-78.2 °C, -108.7 °F) carbon dioxide
condenses into a white solid called dry ice. It can become much
colder once the solid is formed because materials that are not changing
phase do not have one set temperature.
As dry ice thaws and melts it turns into a vapor instead of a watery
mess like regular ice does. This keeps the cyogenic area cold and
free from moisture.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen becomes a liquid as the temperature falls below 63.15 K
(-210.00 °C, -346.00 °F). It becomes solid at temperatures below
36.15 K (-237 °C, -394.6 °F).
Water Ice
The most common phase transition to ice occurs when liquid water
is cooled below 0°C (273.15K, 32°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.
It can also deposit from vapor with no intervening liquid phase, such as
in the formation of frost.
Water
It is possible to pump the cooler temperature of water to "siphon" off
heat from an inanimate object, using water flow across the surface.
If the water is continuously replaced with new water of the same
original temperature, it could in effect maintain the temperature of
the inanimate. This is dependent on other factors too. Water can be
cooled down to 0°C (273.15K, 32°F) at which point it becomes a solid.
Evaporation
Evaporation utilizes the thermal energy of the liquid itself to complete
the process. The molecules that evaporate are those with the highest
kinetic energy, so that after evaporation the energy of the remaining
liquid molecules is lower, therefore decreasing the temperature of the
liquid. This indicates that evaporation is a cooling process. Inanimate Wind chill For inanimate objects, the effect of wind chill is to reduce any warmer
objects to the ambient temperature more quickly. It cannot, however,
reduce the temperature of these objects below the ambient temperature,
no matter how great the wind velocity.
Convective Air
Air distributed by fan can cool an object to ambient temperature.
Peltier Device
A Peltier Device can be manufactured so that it acts like a small
electric refrigerator cooling a chip.
The brain's interior will be reserved for cyogenic distro
while the exterior is reserved for bundling. Bundling
includes the nerve center and interface for distribution
of communicative elements. More details will follow as
this is developed and installed on the Brain.
Bundling is very interesting as the boards reside on
the outside of the structure, therefore wires can pass
along somewhat linear piping. Nerve bundling is highly
dependent on axons and their distribution.
It is possible, that due to the very small distances
between boards, Brain Bundling may be very minimal,
i.e. only short 3-inch jumper leads are required and
thus negating Bundling.
The Brain Bundle can easily route
in the 90-degree angled exterior
spaces on the EXO formed by the
adjacent Brain Span pairs.
The photo illustrates the approximate bundle position
however the bundle is not fastened. This is for example
purposes only.
Brain Hybrid Wiring
Establishing a Truth Table for Communications Interfacing
A Brain Hybrid Interface is established with only
two data lines. This handles two partly lines which
may operate at the same time in a full duplex mode,
or individually as half duplex in talk/listen modes.
A mix interface is entirely possible. One line can operate
at PL1 and the 2nd line at half duplex. Two simultaneous
PLs are also possible. Two lines can operate half duplex.
Setup is compatible with high speed serial.
Plans include two switches - each may switch into
on or off position. Each switch enables or disables
a pullup or pulldown resistor. This creates a gate
that determines the type of communications interface
for serial communications. Two PLs can run in Parallel
for parallel communications. The switches could be
replaced with relays or solid state switching components
for automatic code-determined switching. This could
switch from high speed to slower speed interfaces
and engage/disengage multiple simultaneous operations
with varying buffer sizes, data streams and purposes.
There are additional benefits to this Hybrid Interface.
A group of eight workers may contribute work to solve
a task and talk back and forth on one interface line
while another group of ten workers can work on an
entirely different task and communicate on their own PL.
When both groups complete their work, both data lines
can turn into Tx and send results to the CEO or President
or Vice President. Data lines are able to switch from Rx to Tx
as well. Other useful configurations may be possible.
[B]-------------------------------------------
| SW1 | SW2 | INTERFACE
|------------------------------------------
| 0 | 0 | FD
|------------------------------------------
| 0 | 1 | HD, PL2
|------------------------------------------
| 1 | 0 | HD, PL1
|------------------------------------------
| 1 | 1 | PL1, PL2
-------------------------------------------[/B]
[B]KEY[/B]
1 INDICATES SWITCH ON
0 INDICATES SWITCH OFF
FD FULL DUPLEX
PL1 1ST PARTY LINE
PL2 2ND PARTY LINE
HD HALF DUPLEX
Getting Started Brain Phases Checklist
1st Checklist for assembly showing Brain Phases
At this point in the Brain project it's a good idea to review
the steps checklist before we forget the process. Eventually
an index to this thread will be created for reference to step
by step development.
First Steps for Brain Construction
Conceptual Idea
Post Begins and Thread Opened
Filling the Brain with Ideas
Hardware Sketch
Circuit Sketch
Overall Design
1st Parts Acquisition
First Circuit Design
Board Sample
Board Prepping
Solder Connectors
2nd Parts Acquisition
LED Mod
Power Mod
LED Test Code 1
LED Test Code 2
LED Test Code 3
LED Power Draw Reduction Code
LED Testing
Power Supply Testing
Amperage Testing
Board to Board Wiring
Board to Board Wiring Testing
Board to Board Code Sampling
Circuit Design
Three Board Wiring
Three Board Wiring Testing
Three Board Code Sampling
Circuit Design revision
Interface BS2 to Propeller
Interface Propeller to Propeller
Baud Communication Testing
Hardware Design
EXO Design
Flip Brain Design
Board Hosting Design
Reinforcement Design
Minimizing Wire Length Jumpers
Host Testing
1st Serial Interface Test
1st BUS Line Interface Test
Hardware Attach 1st LCD
Hardware Attach 2nd LCD
Information Gathering for LCD
LCD Mounting Hardware Revision
Board Rearrangement
Exterior Protection Spacers
1st LCD Wiring
2nd LCD Cables
Power Distro Idea
Power Distro Install
Vertical Testing
Horizontal Testing
to be continued and divided up
into the respective phases
Brain Schematic Drawing Program
Finding a new drawing program to handle the level of Brain schematics, pictorials and various illustrative concepts
This is a time out to study various schematic drawing programs to find one that meets the new criteria for constructing Brain schematics and for drawing relating information. First up is Diagram Designer. Already it can be seen that Diagram Designer has some circuit schematics missing (like a resistor!) but has other useful features like rotation, high resolution and many save formats.
Results are in
The results are in from the request for a free or open source simple drawing program, to illustrate the Brain circuits, from the "Which Drawing Program?" thread.
The new program will replace the previous DIA drawing program which required new features for constructing the Brain schematic. Since the features were not yet available, the decision was made to learn and trial a new drawing program.
The following criteria was established
Thicker lines for reproduction and publishing
Freeware or open source at no cost
Simple to use with small learning curve
Electronic templates available
Publishing at high resolution
Ability to save in numerous formats
Publishes at high resolution
Object rotation
Canvas manipulation
Ability to create high resolution images
Suggested Programs
Skylight suggested Diagram Designer and Diptrace's Schematic Editor. Leon then suggested DesignSpark, which is based on EasyPC which he used for many years. Max72 suggests TinyCAD, Geda, KiCAD and DipTrace. His preferred options are TinyCAD and DipTrace.
Diagram Designer http://download.cnet.com/Diagram-Des...-10429024.html http://logicnet.dk/meesoft/DiagramDesigner/
Has electronic symbol templates you can open from within the program to replace the flowchart ones that default open, simple vector graphics editor for creating flowcharts, UML class diagrams, illustrations and slide shows.
* Customizable template object palette.
* Spellchecker (see below about dictionaries).
* Import/export WMF, EMF, BMP, JPEG, PNG, MNG, ICO, GIF and PCX images.
* Slide show viewer.
* Simple graph plotter to plot mathematical expressions.
* Advanced "pocket" calculator with equation solver.
* MeeSoft Image Analyzer integration for bitmap image editing and extended file format support.
* Uses compressed file format for minimizing drawing file size.
Diptrace's Schematic Editor http://www.diptrace.com/
Full featured 30-day trial and 300-pin Freeware versions are available for evaluation. Schematic Capture with multi-level hierarchy and export to PCB Layout, Spice or Netlist.
DesignSpark from RS http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalD...condary-Banner http://www.designspark.com/pcb http://dangerousprototypes.com/2010/07/21/designspark-freeware-pcb-design/
You can set the line widths in the schematic editor. Free from practical constraints on board size, pin counts, layers and output types, DesignSpark PCB can be used for schematic capture, PCB layout and generating manufacturing files. Multi-page schematic designs are supported, gerber (extended) outputs allow the designer to choose who will manufacture their board. DesignSpark PCB supports the importing of Eagle design files and libraries. See the Eagle import tutorial for further information. A comprehensive standard parts library is supplied, this can be amended, copied, added to etc as required. Sophisticated New Part Creation Wizards make it easy to design new parts from scratch or by using standard symbols and footprints. Please be encouraged to share your designs, libraries and tips so other users can benefit from your experience.
TinyCad http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/tinycad/index.php?title=TinyCAD http://www.electronicecircuits.com/electronic-software/tinycad-electronic-circuit-drawing-software/TinyCAD Electronic Circuit Drawing Software With Libraries: TinyCAD is a program to help you draw circuit diagrams. It comes complete with symbol libraries to get you started straight away. As well as being able to simply print your designs, you can use TinyCAD to publish your drawings by copying and pasting into a Word document or saving as a PNG bitmap for the web. You can use TinyCAD as a front end to a number of PCB layout program, by getting TinyCAD to create a netlist of your circuit. TinyCAD is fully open-source so you can use it for free and you can download the source code for use in your own projects. The features of TinyCAD: * Drawing Overview * Web & Word * Create PCBs * Simulate with Spice
Geda http://ftp.sunet.se/geda/
open source, The gEDA project has produced and continues working on a full GPL'd suite of Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production. Currently, the gEDA project offers a mature suite of free software applications for electronics design, including schematic capture, attribute management, bill of materials (BOM) generation, netlisting into over 20 netlist formats, analog and digital simulation, and printed circuit board (PCB) layout. The gEDA project was started because of the lack of free EDA tools for UNIX. The tools are being developed mainly on GNU/Linux machines, but considerable effort is being made to make sure that gEDA runs on other UNIX variants. For a complete list of freely available tools please be sure to visit Open Collector.
Kicad http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/
Kicad is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork. Kicad is a set of four softwares and a project manager: * Eeschema :Schematic entry. * Pcbnew :Board editor. * Gerbview :GERBER viewer (photoplotter documents). * Cvpcb :footprint selector for components used in the circuit design. * Kicad: project manager. With the project manager, Kicad, you can choose or create a project and launch Eeschema, Pcbnew, .... This electronic workbench is free of charges and is open source (GPL). It is useful for everybody working in electronic design (schematic diagrams and Printed Board up to 16 layers). This software (using WXWIDGETS) is MULTI-PLATFORM. It is running under LINUX and Windows (XP or 2000), for which updates are regularly provided. Currently, the precompiled version of Linux has been tested using Mandrake 9.2 or 10.0 (works with 10.1). Sometime the softwares are also been tested under other O.S., especially FreeBSD and Solaris.
EDIT: (below) Here's another Parallax Forum thread about drawing programs
that I just discovered here. It has another recommendation for
TinyCAD here.
TinyCAD has another recommendation
EDIT 2: SteveL is recommending SmartDraw (US$197). http://www.smartdraw.com/
But this too is a pay program.
As noted, it's far less expensive than Visio (US$999.99)
which has become ridiculously priced.
Brain Drawing Program Selection
The current choice of programs being explored
First up is Diagram Designer.
At first glance, I don't see a schematic symbol for a resistor.
Anyone know where it's located? Perhaps the intention is
to use the small rectangle to represent a resistor?
EDIT: Apparently the zig zag resistor is used in the USA
and the rectangle is used elsewhere. That's why we see
the rectangle version in the UK designer programs. For
more information from the people who solved this question
refer to this thread.
These two main templates are available for
drawing schematics with Diagram Designer
This will be explored over the next several days.
The Brain drawing by hand sketch is somewhat filled on a sideways A4 sheet of paper.
But I'm wearing out pencil erasers so a clean electronic slate canvas would be helpful.
Does anyone have experience with this drawing program?
Useful comments would be welcomed.
EDIT: Not so fast. Some test results from Diagram Designer are now in. The rectangle usage in Diagram Designer is simply out of control. A rectangle is used for the majority of the schematic symbols and this can be confusing with this alternative standard. For this reason, we will now examine TinyCAD. The illustration showing TinyCAD is filled with standard schematic symbols. More reports will follow later.
Brain Cryo Development
Brain Cryo material & removal
The positional test for plumbing of the Brain Cryo
will now be removed. Noted, there are several options
for distributing cryo material. If air flow or water flow is
used, the same cryo distribution plumbing will be used.
If nitrogen or dry ice is used, a Dewar or other metal
containment will be required.
These updates are important to organize and schedule
Brain development as well as come up with new ideas for
pacing. There's a lot on the plate at this transition point.
1) Some hardware development is still taking place, in
particular the new Peripheral Adapter Module which will
use Transparent Plastic and a full miniature TV.
2) We are progressing on the learning curve with the
new designer program Diagram Designer and running
necessary tests.
3) Wiring is ongoing on all Brain Spans.
4) The design of Brain Code is ongoing, some is at a beginner
stage and some is more advanced but waiting integration.
5) A new updated Brain Schematic is undergoing design changes,
improvements, additions. This is still at a pencil paper eraser stage.
At least it progressed past the dinner table napkin stage.
6) A Brain Parts List is growing, waiting for the next trip to the parts
skyscrapers across the city. I also need a few Parallax items, like a
voice recognition board. I really wish someone could develop a simple
version using just the Propeller chip.
7) Things need to be organized before beginning the next
development phase.
8) Believe it or not, the Brain Feet project is still open. These
protection devices (so an eye doesn't get poked) require cutting
off the ends of the white tubes to fit the spacers. Although
the number on hand was initially ten, it was not enough to
cover twelve or more supports. Now I have collected another
ten and this project is activated again. But, consideration must
be given to the mounting spacers to hold the Peripheral Adapter
Module.
9) The new Brain Phases Checklist is an ongoing
project to document the entire construction process. Part 1
will need more additions to the outline currently established.
10) Also open constantly is the thinking and development of Brain Apps. We have many good ideas proposed at the beginning
of this thread, so it looks like app development could be very
comprehensive. Even developing one personality pattern could
take up considerable time. It is hoped more people will join the
efforts in developing open source software.
11) In the works is a Brain Forum Thread Index. Considering
this is already post #258, indexing to find everything is important.
12) The Brain Speech Synthesizer will be opened up. Thanks
to some brilliant forum members and the owner of Parallax, we have
a really spectacular program to accomplish this.
As several people pointed out, we want a brain that can actually
do things such as talk, listen and understand spoken speech,
have vision and of course considerable thought and AI ability.
So there you have it for this weekend, theories self awareness,
brain open head surgery, big massive monger Brain implants,
and coarse Brain tuning..
Brain Top Mount Real Estate
Brain real estate at a premium
It has become necessary to create more space
on the brain EXO. This includes the host side where
the Brain Span space is somewhat open, and the top
where mounts do not exist.
To create a mounting surface for an extra board
(probably a Parallax Demo Board), four 90-degree
angle irons are installed.
90-deg. angle iron mounts at top location are for
mounting platforms and new boards
Brain Open Span Board Move
Moving a brain board on the open span side
It has become necessary to create more space
and a larger open area to accommodate larger
objects both internally and externally on and
within the Brain.
Brain Peripheral Adapter Mount
Connecting the mounts
Extended dual 90-degree angle irons are placed on the
Brains open Span area for connecting a large Brain
Peripheral Adapter Mount. It also provides a mount
for connecting devices into the internal guts of the
brain, i.e. the PAM could be installed internally.
Two variable mounting brackets facilitate
connecting the Brain Peripheral Adapter
Mount either externally or internally.
Brain LCD Repositioning
Improvements to mounting the larger LCD
The larger LCD mount was improved when the
Brain Span open side board was moved to the right
hand side. Note that an aluminum spacer is now
installed to hold the LCD and match the right hand
side elevation.
Install the short spacer to hold the large LCD. Short spacers are aluminum 5/8th-inch long
and Parallax part number 713-00001.The long
brass spacer (obtained locally from a Taiwan
source and supply replenished from a China
source) remains in place for mounting
the protective foot and/or hosting Brain
boards.
Final LCD assembly view - note the shifting
of the PPPB a full board space to the right.
This opens up more position for PPPBs or a
Brain Peripheral Adapter Module.
Review this photo to see the entire large LCD
mount in place. Note aluminum spacers on
both LCD sides. The left bracket is small at
the top (with a large bracket under it) and
the right bracket is large.
How to Build a Brain LCD Mount
Photos show left and right mount details
I JUST NOTICED the previous information was insufficient to
build up some Brain LCD Mounts, so these new photos should
be explanatory. Follow the photos to build up LCD mounts on the Brain.
Note that LCDs mount under the height of the feet spacers
to maintain the ability to Brain flip without component
interference.
What is the purpose of the Brain Summit and what is it?
The Brain Summit is located the top of the Brain when the
EXO is in the vertical orientation or Flip Mode.
The summit is a fabricated piece of a recycled Watson's
4.5 liter green label distilled water container. It's purpose is
to host, cradle, contain, and mount electronic boards which
do not have on board mounting holes or mounts of any kind,
such as the PPDB.
Watson's bottles are another source of Transparent
Plastic and easier to work with compared to clipboards.
The thicker sections are cut out with scissors.
The convex transparent plastic is located on the bottom
and is removed with a scissors, This oblong section is
5.75 x 5.75 inches in size.
A soldering iron is used to "drill" a melt hole into the
four ends. The Summit is mounted with four 90-degree
angle irons, bolts, washers and nuts.
The Brain Summit then serves as a top mounting
platform to contain an important host board. The host
board could be a Parallax Propeller Demo Board.
The Demo Board has TV, Sound, Mouse, Keyboard,
USB, a solderless breadboard, power switch, reset button,
a crystal with socket, and P16 - P23 amber LEDs on
board. This board will be extremely useful.
The Brain Summit is fabricated from a Watson's
distilled water container and resides at the top of
the Brain. Drill holes using a solder iron to melt through
the transparent plastic.
Brain 1st Cockpit Outline
Cockpit Instrumentation Control Panel Design Ideas
This is the flight control center for the Brain. It contains
a programmer's control panel and Brain control
instrumentation. It supplements a virtual reality
control panel that exists inside the circuits and soft-
ware.
In the 1st design (outline), the CICP has switches
to hardware program the Brain Hybrid Interface
BHI.
Some proposed functions
Power Control
Interface Switching
Board to Board configuration
I/O Controls
Control Mounting
Brain Storage & Containment
Hardware Programming
Basic Circuit Reconfiguring
Fabrication
Ideas for fabrication are currently open
(insert photo here) The Brain CICP
Positioning
The proposed mounting position is in the open Brain
Span region located at the upper 2/3rds.
Brain Small LCD Repositioning Increasing Brain board density
Before photo
In order to squeeze another board onto the
Brain, the smaller LCD needs moving to another
position. This position is currently undetermined.
A good location would be at a raised position
or a complete move to the Business Side of
the Brain.
Things are undergoing rearrangement due to
the introduction of the large Flight Cockpit
Instrumentation Control Panel.
This has some repercussions in that it pushes
out the TV. This will be handled later.
After view - The second board from base -
the end was moved to this location to make
room for the Brain Flight Cockpit
Protective layers to the EXO are fabricated from
recycled grocery containers. In the photo view, a
Cowling has covered the open span used for
expansion. These protect the open spans
against dust and abrasions. A Brain Cowling
weighs almost nothing, so you can add on
as many as are needed. It is also cut to size
with a scissors and hole "drilled" with a soldering
iron. In this view, the Brain Cowling is made to
snap into place. Snap containment is made
up of angle iron tabs.
The photo illustrates the current progression
and assembly of the Brain. Note the Brain now
includes a Summit, Cowling, repositioned small
and large LCDs, Higher Board Density, and a
Summit Board is being installed. Visible are all
new LCD mounts and the small LCD has a new
orientation for Flip Mode use.
Brain Business End
Definition of Brain Business End position
The Brain Business End is defined as the position
of the Brain from which viewing of LCDs and programming
can take place. It also brings the Owner into full view
and makes hardware changes quickly possible. Two
adjacent boards can serve as the CEO and the first
President. The idea is to have a progression of board
servitude commanded by two Presidents, each taking
on approximately nine workers, more or less.
This early wiring stage of the Brain
Business End shows how boards are
arranged for programming and rewiring
The Brain Business End BBE will rocker backwards
enabling clear views of either LCD by choice. The
smaller LCD is reporting positional data and motion
mechanics with parameters while the large LCD is
for debugging and programming with reports of
Brain Conditions.
Comments
Center Span flex requires strengthening
Just when I thought the structure of the large
Brain was complete, a large amount of flexing
was noticed along both sides of the Brain Span
which is connected to the two adjacent side Brain
Spans.
The remedy for this, remove eight bolts, eight
nuts, install two 90-degree angle irons, and
reconnect with longer screws - then retest the
amount of flexing. Normally this would not be
much of a concern but with a mobile brain,
it becomes very important to resolve any flex
issues. For example, internally, the position
of numerous infrared LED transmitters will
require stable platforms from one board to the
next or from one to across-board stations.
Pencil marks the spot requiring reinforcement.
The middle Brain Span had too much flexure
and now requires additional reinforcement in
two positions. The fix is to place a small 90-
degree angle iron across the top and fasten
with two bolts.
Completed fix to reinforce two Brain Spans -
remember to do this process to both positions
on both sides of the center Brain Span
After this repair/upgrade, the EXO is very stable as
noticeable flexing is stopped. This fix is considered
a requirement for mobile brains and brains on
mobile robots.
A platform to hold and attach additional Brain peripherals
I'm now thinking about the design of a PAM Peripheral
Adapter Module. This could be an attachable platform
to the top of the Brain when in the horizontal desktop
mode.
The PAM could include a Brain instrument control panel
and a Brain TV and hold power/connection cables.
Pam would be removed for portable applications and
when the desktop horizontal flip mode is desired.
Envisioned is a green clipboard cut to platform size
and drilled with bolting holes that match the Brain
Span's spacer mounts/feet. This would allow rapid
deployment.
Common resource material for construction
The best part about finding Transparent plastic is it's
commonly available across the world. Clipboards are
everywhere! The green transparent clipboard is an
easy design material for the person who travels light
with a soldering iron. It can be worked with a metal ruler
straight edge - just scribe a hot line with the soldering
iron into the plastic and break off at the scribed line
when cooled. This is an easy way to readily construct
robotic platforms etc. by using commonly available
resources, especially since clipboards are very low
cost and found in varying sizes. For example, the BSS
Basic Stamp Supercomputer used clipboard construction.
For hobbyists on a shoestring budget, it's an ideal low
cost material.
Here's some advantages of working with TP Transparent Plastic
- low cost
- commonly available
- cuts with common soldering iron
- drills with simple common hand drill, moto tool or solder tip
- reinforced with layering and air-crafting
- light weight
- structurally strong enough to support most peripherals
- ideal for mounting tabs, platforms, extensions, housings
- can also act as partitions, shields and full enclosures
- see-though enables viewing of LEDs for power & data monitoring
For a reference of working with clipboards in a hobby application, refer tothe BSS BASIC Stamp Supercomputer construction. This project uses
clip boards as construction platforms for the tower, crown, and platform
base. The SEED Basic Stamp Supercomputer uses clipboards for the
crown and supporting base.
Showing the author's 16 pcs stockpile of
Transparent Plastic in clipboard form. TP
is perfect for hobbyists needing a low cost
construction material to build robots
and large brains.
Small preparation before use
There is a not-so-thin plastic film over the
LCD - Parallax part number is 30059. This is on
the Matrix Orbital LCD part number is LK204-25-WB.
Remove the film after handling and installation.
The soft plastic film will only accumulate scratching
and must be discarded.
The Matrix Orbital LCD without the plastic film.
Examine the black frame to see if the film is on
the LCD.
LCD with the plastic film
Note you can identify the presence of the film by
examining the front edge on the black metal. A
small edge of the film can be lifted and it should
easily remove.
Hi Bruce, until you mention it, I hadn't realized the great extent of the use of this small solderless breadboard. A list of my projects shows this board and other solderless breadboards are used in every one! You can get an idea of how the boards were used in each project by following the links and seeing the photos.
- Over 160 Processors Propeller Brain
- SEED Stamp Supercomputer (Self Evolving Enumerating Deterministic)
- BSS Basic Stamp Supercomputer
- TCS TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
- MSS Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
- TSS Tiny Stamp Supercomputer
- M.O.M. Master Offloader Machine
- 2S 2-Stamp BSS (BS2sx + BS2px)
- AM Algorithm Machine
- Penguin with 12 Brains
- Robo Brain Base
- Robotic Brain Stem
- Smartest BoeBot
- Humanoid Toddler Robot 1st Version
- Parallax Proto Board LED Data Light Mod
- UltraSpark 40 Supermicrocontroller (& entire UltraSpark Series)
- Prop-a-Lot
- 4D Morphing Computer (with CoProcessor)
- Penguin Tech 1 (Pocket Penguin, Tiny Boe, Peizo Tab Hand Finger)
- Propalot Stuff (10 Props)
- Top Hat Humanizer 1st Development
Many Parallax products contain a solderless breadboard- BASIC Stamp 1 Project Board
- Board of Education Development Board - Serial Version
- Board of Education Development Board (USB)
- HomeWork Board (10 Pack)
- Parallax Professional Development Board (Serial)
- Propeller Demo Board
- Propeller Professional Development Board
- SX Tech Board
- Javelin Stamp Starter Kit
- Boe-Bot Robot Kit - Serial (with USB adapter and cable)
- Boe-Bot Robot Kit - USB Version
- Stingray Robot It
- SumoBot Robot
Bruce, one of the ideas I liked the most for best use of a tiny breadboard is the Tiny BOE. As far as I know, it was never posted, but it did appear in the first issue of Penguin Tech magazine. This is a Tiny Board of Education made from a Parallax BS2 OEM and tiny solderless breadboard. It's so tiny, it's a shirt pocket thing. Featured with a switch, it can be used for lots of development in nearly any situation, being tiny and portable. So you can see the tiny Parallax breadboard fits on almost any board. Find it in source #19.Also check the post numbers with the small breadboard and related information within this "Fill the Big Brain" thread.
Bag it - Brain bag your boards for longevity
Use of solderless breadboards mandates a relatively
clean room free of excessive dust. A clear plast bag
covering the EXO is an ideal low cost cheap way to
protect the Brain when not in use. This extends the
life of all breadboards.
The Brain contains 21 small solderless breadboards,
one used on each circuit board. This number will
increase with the addition of hosting boards. Brain
bag your boards for longevity.
Paper or plastic?
It's important to protect the Brain
when not in use. Solderless bread-
boards are protected from dust
settle with a clear plastic bag.
Brain installation of piping and routing of service tubes
Possible Brain design planning can now include the
routing of cryogenic service tubes and various plumbing,
since the EXO and Flip forms with Brain Spans are
completed. Plumbing pipes are for distributing gas
to create a significant super cooled environmental chamber
formed deep inside the Brain. Super cooling can assist
chips running at higher speed to dissipate heat and
distribute it elsewhere.
The 1st study of Brain plumbing
showing suggested piping and
service tubing for interfacing and
cryogenics. This arrangement is
likely to change as the system is
developed.
Sample positioning and routing must be considered as
well as the placement of the cryogenic chambers and
containment tubes and gas tanks to affect microprocessor
chips in the most favorable ways. Most of these topics will
be covered individually to focus attention to detail.
Reserved for data regarding Parallax temperature sensors
that can provide data within the range of chip and
cryogenic temperature ranges.
Digital Thermometer
The DS1620 is a complete digital thermometer on a chip, capable of replacing the normal combination of temperature sensor and analog-to-digital converter in most applications. It can measure temperature in units of 0.5° Centigrade (C) from -55° C to +125° C. (In Fahrenheit (°F), units of 0.9° F and a range of -67° F to +257° F.)
LM34 Temperature Sensor
The LM34 is a precision Fahrenheit temperature sensor in a standard TO-92 package suitable for remote applications or direct PCB mounting. The LM34 has a wide operating voltage range of 5 to 30 volts DC and a temperature range of -50° to +300°F.
AD592
This convenient analog temperature sensor used in the Applied Sensors Kit has attached wire leads, a submersible tip, and a performance range of -13 to +221° F (-25 to + 105° C).
DS2760
The Dallas/Maxim DS2760 High Precision Li+ Battery Monitor is very easily configured into an effective thermocouple interface. The Parallax DS2760 Thermocouple Module capitalizes on this application and provides a complete connection between BS2p BASIC Stamp microcontroller and a standard thermocouple element.
Features:
- 1-Wire interface allows multiple devices with just one BASIC Stamp I/O pin
- Cold Junction measurement: 0 to +127 °C (0.125 °C resolution)
- Low power consumption: Active current = 90 µA max, Sleep current: 2 µA max
Key Specifications:- Power Requirements: 2.5 V to 5.5 V @ 90 µA (max)
- Communication: Dallas 1-Wire® Interface with unique 64-bit device address
- Dimensions: 1.08 x 0.43 x 0.3 in (27.5 x 11 x 7 mm)
- Operating Temperature: -4 to +158 °F (-20°C to +70°C)
Kit Contents:Sensiron Temp Humidity Detector
- Provides a fully calibrated, digital output
- Measure temperature with a resolution of 0.01 degrees and within +/- 2 degree accuracy
- Measures relative humidity with a resolution of 0.03%and within +/- 3.5% accuracy
- Low power consumption (typically 30 μW)
Key Specifications:MLX90614 Infrared Thermometer Module
16-bit digital temperature output data, ranging from -70°C to 380°C
Examination of coolants and effects
A short study of Cryogenic fuels and related effects
Dry Ice
At temperatures below 195 K (-78.2 °C, -108.7 °F) carbon dioxide
condenses into a white solid called dry ice. It can become much
colder once the solid is formed because materials that are not changing
phase do not have one set temperature.
As dry ice thaws and melts it turns into a vapor instead of a watery
mess like regular ice does. This keeps the cyogenic area cold and
free from moisture.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen becomes a liquid as the temperature falls below 63.15 K
(-210.00 °C, -346.00 °F). It becomes solid at temperatures below
36.15 K (-237 °C, -394.6 °F).
Water Ice
The most common phase transition to ice occurs when liquid water
is cooled below 0°C (273.15K, 32°F) at standard atmospheric pressure.
It can also deposit from vapor with no intervening liquid phase, such as
in the formation of frost.
It is possible to pump the cooler temperature of water to "siphon" off
heat from an inanimate object, using water flow across the surface.
If the water is continuously replaced with new water of the same
original temperature, it could in effect maintain the temperature of
the inanimate. This is dependent on other factors too. Water can be
cooled down to 0°C (273.15K, 32°F) at which point it becomes a solid.
Evaporation
Evaporation utilizes the thermal energy of the liquid itself to complete
the process. The molecules that evaporate are those with the highest
kinetic energy, so that after evaporation the energy of the remaining
liquid molecules is lower, therefore decreasing the temperature of the
liquid. This indicates that evaporation is a cooling process.
Inanimate Wind chill
For inanimate objects, the effect of wind chill is to reduce any warmer
objects to the ambient temperature more quickly. It cannot, however,
reduce the temperature of these objects below the ambient temperature,
no matter how great the wind velocity.
Convective Air
Air distributed by fan can cool an object to ambient temperature.
Peltier Device
A Peltier Device can be manufactured so that it acts like a small
electric refrigerator cooling a chip.
Nerve Distribution
The brain's interior will be reserved for cyogenic distro
while the exterior is reserved for bundling. Bundling
includes the nerve center and interface for distribution
of communicative elements. More details will follow as
this is developed and installed on the Brain.
Bundling is very interesting as the boards reside on
the outside of the structure, therefore wires can pass
along somewhat linear piping. Nerve bundling is highly
dependent on axons and their distribution.
It is possible, that due to the very small distances
between boards, Brain Bundling may be very minimal,
i.e. only short 3-inch jumper leads are required and
thus negating Bundling.
The Brain Bundle can easily route
in the 90-degree angled exterior
spaces on the EXO formed by the
adjacent Brain Span pairs.
The photo illustrates the approximate bundle position
however the bundle is not fastened. This is for example
purposes only.
Establishing a Truth Table for Communications Interfacing
A Brain Hybrid Interface is established with only
two data lines. This handles two partly lines which
may operate at the same time in a full duplex mode,
or individually as half duplex in talk/listen modes.
A mix interface is entirely possible. One line can operate
at PL1 and the 2nd line at half duplex. Two simultaneous
PLs are also possible. Two lines can operate half duplex.
Setup is compatible with high speed serial.
Plans include two switches - each may switch into
on or off position. Each switch enables or disables
a pullup or pulldown resistor. This creates a gate
that determines the type of communications interface
for serial communications. Two PLs can run in Parallel
for parallel communications. The switches could be
replaced with relays or solid state switching components
for automatic code-determined switching. This could
switch from high speed to slower speed interfaces
and engage/disengage multiple simultaneous operations
with varying buffer sizes, data streams and purposes.
There are additional benefits to this Hybrid Interface.
A group of eight workers may contribute work to solve
a task and talk back and forth on one interface line
while another group of ten workers can work on an
entirely different task and communicate on their own PL.
When both groups complete their work, both data lines
can turn into Tx and send results to the CEO or President
or Vice President. Data lines are able to switch from Rx to Tx
as well. Other useful configurations may be possible.
1st Checklist for assembly showing Brain Phases
At this point in the Brain project it's a good idea to review
the steps checklist before we forget the process. Eventually
an index to this thread will be created for reference to step
by step development.
First Steps for Brain Construction
Conceptual Idea
Post Begins and Thread Opened
Filling the Brain with Ideas
Hardware Sketch
Circuit Sketch
Overall Design
1st Parts Acquisition
First Circuit Design
Board Sample
Board Prepping
Solder Connectors
2nd Parts Acquisition
LED Mod
Power Mod
LED Test Code 1
LED Test Code 2
LED Test Code 3
LED Power Draw Reduction Code
LED Testing
Power Supply Testing
Amperage Testing
Board to Board Wiring
Board to Board Wiring Testing
Board to Board Code Sampling
Circuit Design
Three Board Wiring
Three Board Wiring Testing
Three Board Code Sampling
Circuit Design revision
Interface BS2 to Propeller
Interface Propeller to Propeller
Baud Communication Testing
Hardware Design
EXO Design
Flip Brain Design
Board Hosting Design
Reinforcement Design
Minimizing Wire Length Jumpers
Host Testing
1st Serial Interface Test
1st BUS Line Interface Test
Hardware Attach 1st LCD
Hardware Attach 2nd LCD
Information Gathering for LCD
LCD Mounting Hardware Revision
Board Rearrangement
Exterior Protection Spacers
1st LCD Wiring
2nd LCD Cables
Power Distro Idea
Power Distro Install
Vertical Testing
Horizontal Testing
to be continued and divided up
into the respective phases
Finding a new drawing program to handle the level of Brain schematics, pictorials and various illustrative concepts
This is a time out to study various schematic drawing programs to find one that meets the new criteria for constructing Brain schematics and for drawing relating information. First up is Diagram Designer. Already it can be seen that Diagram Designer has some circuit schematics missing (like a resistor!) but has other useful features like rotation, high resolution and many save formats.
Results are in
The results are in from the request for a free or open source simple drawing program, to illustrate the Brain circuits, from the "Which Drawing Program?" thread.
The new program will replace the previous DIA drawing program which required new features for constructing the Brain schematic. Since the features were not yet available, the decision was made to learn and trial a new drawing program.
The following criteria was established
- Thicker lines for reproduction and publishing
- Freeware or open source at no cost
- Simple to use with small learning curve
- Electronic templates available
- Publishing at high resolution
- Ability to save in numerous formats
- Publishes at high resolution
- Object rotation
- Canvas manipulation
- Ability to create high resolution images
Suggested ProgramsSkylight suggested Diagram Designer and Diptrace's Schematic Editor. Leon then suggested DesignSpark, which is based on EasyPC which he used for many years. Max72 suggests TinyCAD, Geda, KiCAD and DipTrace. His preferred options are TinyCAD and DipTrace.
Diagram Designer
http://download.cnet.com/Diagram-Des...-10429024.html
http://logicnet.dk/meesoft/DiagramDesigner/
Has electronic symbol templates you can open from within the program to replace the flowchart ones that default open, simple vector graphics editor for creating flowcharts, UML class diagrams, illustrations and slide shows.
* Customizable template object palette.
* Spellchecker (see below about dictionaries).
* Import/export WMF, EMF, BMP, JPEG, PNG, MNG, ICO, GIF and PCX images.
* Slide show viewer.
* Simple graph plotter to plot mathematical expressions.
* Advanced "pocket" calculator with equation solver.
* MeeSoft Image Analyzer integration for bitmap image editing and extended file format support.
* Uses compressed file format for minimizing drawing file size.
Diptrace's Schematic Editor
http://www.diptrace.com/
Full featured 30-day trial and 300-pin Freeware versions are available for evaluation. Schematic Capture with multi-level hierarchy and export to PCB Layout, Spice or Netlist.
DesignSpark from RS
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalD...condary-Banner
http://www.designspark.com/pcb
http://dangerousprototypes.com/2010/07/21/designspark-freeware-pcb-design/
You can set the line widths in the schematic editor. Free from practical constraints on board size, pin counts, layers and output types, DesignSpark PCB can be used for schematic capture, PCB layout and generating manufacturing files. Multi-page schematic designs are supported, gerber (extended) outputs allow the designer to choose who will manufacture their board. DesignSpark PCB supports the importing of Eagle design files and libraries. See the Eagle import tutorial for further information. A comprehensive standard parts library is supplied, this can be amended, copied, added to etc as required. Sophisticated New Part Creation Wizards make it easy to design new parts from scratch or by using standard symbols and footprints. Please be encouraged to share your designs, libraries and tips so other users can benefit from your experience.
TinyCad
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/tinycad/index.php?title=TinyCAD
http://www.electronicecircuits.com/electronic-software/tinycad-electronic-circuit-drawing-software/TinyCAD Electronic Circuit Drawing Software With Libraries: TinyCAD is a program to help you draw circuit diagrams. It comes complete with symbol libraries to get you started straight away. As well as being able to simply print your designs, you can use TinyCAD to publish your drawings by copying and pasting into a Word document or saving as a PNG bitmap for the web. You can use TinyCAD as a front end to a number of PCB layout program, by getting TinyCAD to create a netlist of your circuit. TinyCAD is fully open-source so you can use it for free and you can download the source code for use in your own projects. The features of TinyCAD: * Drawing Overview * Web & Word * Create PCBs * Simulate with Spice
Geda
http://ftp.sunet.se/geda/
open source, The gEDA project has produced and continues working on a full GPL'd suite of Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production. Currently, the gEDA project offers a mature suite of free software applications for electronics design, including schematic capture, attribute management, bill of materials (BOM) generation, netlisting into over 20 netlist formats, analog and digital simulation, and printed circuit board (PCB) layout. The gEDA project was started because of the lack of free EDA tools for UNIX. The tools are being developed mainly on GNU/Linux machines, but considerable effort is being made to make sure that gEDA runs on other UNIX variants. For a complete list of freely available tools please be sure to visit Open Collector.
Kicad
http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/
Kicad is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork. Kicad is a set of four softwares and a project manager: * Eeschema :Schematic entry. * Pcbnew :Board editor. * Gerbview :GERBER viewer (photoplotter documents). * Cvpcb :footprint selector for components used in the circuit design. * Kicad: project manager. With the project manager, Kicad, you can choose or create a project and launch Eeschema, Pcbnew, .... This electronic workbench is free of charges and is open source (GPL). It is useful for everybody working in electronic design (schematic diagrams and Printed Board up to 16 layers). This software (using WXWIDGETS) is MULTI-PLATFORM. It is running under LINUX and Windows (XP or 2000), for which updates are regularly provided. Currently, the precompiled version of Linux has been tested using Mandrake 9.2 or 10.0 (works with 10.1). Sometime the softwares are also been tested under other O.S., especially FreeBSD and Solaris.
EDIT: (below) Here's another Parallax Forum thread about drawing programs
that I just discovered here. It has another recommendation for
TinyCAD here.
TinyCAD has another recommendation
EDIT 2: SteveL is recommending SmartDraw (US$197).
http://www.smartdraw.com/
But this too is a pay program.
As noted, it's far less expensive than Visio (US$999.99)
which has become ridiculously priced.
The current choice of programs being explored
First up is Diagram Designer.
At first glance, I don't see a schematic symbol for a resistor.
Anyone know where it's located? Perhaps the intention is
to use the small rectangle to represent a resistor?
EDIT: Apparently the zig zag resistor is used in the USA
and the rectangle is used elsewhere. That's why we see
the rectangle version in the UK designer programs. For
more information from the people who solved this question
refer to this thread.
These two main templates are available for
drawing schematics with Diagram Designer
This will be explored over the next several days.
The Brain drawing by hand sketch is somewhat filled on a sideways A4 sheet of paper.
But I'm wearing out pencil erasers so a clean electronic slate canvas would be helpful.
Does anyone have experience with this drawing program?
Useful comments would be welcomed.
Diagram Designer
http://download.cnet.com/Diagram-Des...-10429024.html
http://logicnet.dk/meesoft/DiagramDesigner/
EDIT: Not so fast. Some test results from Diagram Designer are now in. The rectangle usage in Diagram Designer is simply out of control. A rectangle is used for the majority of the schematic symbols and this can be confusing with this alternative standard. For this reason, we will now examine TinyCAD. The illustration showing TinyCAD is filled with standard schematic symbols. More reports will follow later.
Brain Cryo material & removal
The positional test for plumbing of the Brain Cryo
will now be removed. Noted, there are several options
for distributing cryo material. If air flow or water flow is
used, the same cryo distribution plumbing will be used.
If nitrogen or dry ice is used, a Dewar or other metal
containment will be required.
Brain Cryo test
Weekend Brain development Update
These updates are important to organize and schedule
Brain development as well as come up with new ideas for
pacing. There's a lot on the plate at this transition point.
1) Some hardware development is still taking place, in
particular the new Peripheral Adapter Module which will
use Transparent Plastic and a full miniature TV.
2) We are progressing on the learning curve with the
new designer program Diagram Designer and running
necessary tests.
3) Wiring is ongoing on all Brain Spans.
4) The design of Brain Code is ongoing, some is at a beginner
stage and some is more advanced but waiting integration.
5) A new updated Brain Schematic is undergoing design changes,
improvements, additions. This is still at a pencil paper eraser stage.
At least it progressed past the dinner table napkin stage.
6) A Brain Parts List is growing, waiting for the next trip to the parts
skyscrapers across the city. I also need a few Parallax items, like a
voice recognition board. I really wish someone could develop a simple
version using just the Propeller chip.
7) Things need to be organized before beginning the next
development phase.
8) Believe it or not, the Brain Feet project is still open. These
protection devices (so an eye doesn't get poked) require cutting
off the ends of the white tubes to fit the spacers. Although
the number on hand was initially ten, it was not enough to
cover twelve or more supports. Now I have collected another
ten and this project is activated again. But, consideration must
be given to the mounting spacers to hold the Peripheral Adapter
Module.
9) The new Brain Phases Checklist is an ongoing
project to document the entire construction process. Part 1
will need more additions to the outline currently established.
10) Also open constantly is the thinking and development of
Brain Apps. We have many good ideas proposed at the beginning
of this thread, so it looks like app development could be very
comprehensive. Even developing one personality pattern could
take up considerable time. It is hoped more people will join the
efforts in developing open source software.
11) In the works is a Brain Forum Thread Index. Considering
this is already post #258, indexing to find everything is important.
12) The Brain Speech Synthesizer will be opened up. Thanks
to some brilliant forum members and the owner of Parallax, we have
a really spectacular program to accomplish this.
As several people pointed out, we want a brain that can actually
do things such as talk, listen and understand spoken speech,
have vision and of course considerable thought and AI ability.
So there you have it for this weekend, theories self awareness,
brain open head surgery, big massive monger Brain implants,
and coarse Brain tuning..
Brain real estate at a premium
It has become necessary to create more space
on the brain EXO. This includes the host side where
the Brain Span space is somewhat open, and the top
where mounts do not exist.
To create a mounting surface for an extra board
(probably a Parallax Demo Board), four 90-degree
angle irons are installed.
90-deg. angle iron mounts at top location are for
mounting platforms and new boards
Moving a brain board on the open span side
It has become necessary to create more space
and a larger open area to accommodate larger
objects both internally and externally on and
within the Brain.
Before view
After view
Connecting the mounts
Extended dual 90-degree angle irons are placed on the
Brains open Span area for connecting a large Brain
Peripheral Adapter Mount. It also provides a mount
for connecting devices into the internal guts of the
brain, i.e. the PAM could be installed internally.
Two variable mounting brackets facilitate
connecting the Brain Peripheral Adapter
Mount either externally or internally.
Improvements to mounting the larger LCD
The larger LCD mount was improved when the
Brain Span open side board was moved to the right
hand side. Note that an aluminum spacer is now
installed to hold the LCD and match the right hand
side elevation.
Install the short spacer to hold the large LCD.
Short spacers are aluminum 5/8th-inch long
and Parallax part number 713-00001. The long
brass spacer (obtained locally from a Taiwan
source and supply replenished from a China
source) remains in place for mounting
the protective foot and/or hosting Brain
boards.
Final LCD assembly view - note the shifting
of the PPPB a full board space to the right.
This opens up more position for PPPBs or a
Brain Peripheral Adapter Module.
Review this photo to see the entire large LCD
mount in place. Note aluminum spacers on
both LCD sides. The left bracket is small at
the top (with a large bracket under it) and
the right bracket is large.
Photos show left and right mount details
I JUST NOTICED the previous information was insufficient to
build up some Brain LCD Mounts, so these new photos should
be explanatory. Follow the photos to build up LCD mounts on the Brain.
Note that LCDs mount under the height of the feet spacers
to maintain the ability to Brain flip without component
interference.
Construction of the Brain Summit
Fabricated Brain Summit
What is the purpose of the Brain Summit and what is it?
The Brain Summit is located the top of the Brain when the
EXO is in the vertical orientation or Flip Mode.
The summit is a fabricated piece of a recycled Watson's
4.5 liter green label distilled water container. It's purpose is
to host, cradle, contain, and mount electronic boards which
do not have on board mounting holes or mounts of any kind,
such as the PPDB.
Watson's bottles are another source of Transparent
Plastic and easier to work with compared to clipboards.
The thicker sections are cut out with scissors.
The convex transparent plastic is located on the bottom
and is removed with a scissors, This oblong section is
5.75 x 5.75 inches in size.
A soldering iron is used to "drill" a melt hole into the
four ends. The Summit is mounted with four 90-degree
angle irons, bolts, washers and nuts.
The Brain Summit then serves as a top mounting
platform to contain an important host board. The host
board could be a Parallax Propeller Demo Board.
The Demo Board has TV, Sound, Mouse, Keyboard,
USB, a solderless breadboard, power switch, reset button,
a crystal with socket, and P16 - P23 amber LEDs on
board. This board will be extremely useful.
The Brain Summit is fabricated from a Watson's
distilled water container and resides at the top of
the Brain. Drill holes using a solder iron to melt through
the transparent plastic.
Cockpit Instrumentation Control Panel Design Ideas
This is the flight control center for the Brain. It contains
a programmer's control panel and Brain control
instrumentation. It supplements a virtual reality
control panel that exists inside the circuits and soft-
ware.
In the 1st design (outline), the CICP has switches
to hardware program the Brain Hybrid Interface
BHI.
Some proposed functions
- Power Control
- Interface Switching
- Board to Board configuration
- I/O Controls
- Control Mounting
- Brain Storage & Containment
- Hardware Programming
- Basic Circuit Reconfiguring
FabricationIdeas for fabrication are currently open
(insert photo here)
The Brain CICP
Positioning
The proposed mounting position is in the open Brain
Span region located at the upper 2/3rds.
Increasing Brain board density
Before photo
In order to squeeze another board onto the
Brain, the smaller LCD needs moving to another
position. This position is currently undetermined.
A good location would be at a raised position
or a complete move to the Business Side of
the Brain.
Things are undergoing rearrangement due to
the introduction of the large Flight Cockpit
Instrumentation Control Panel.
This has some repercussions in that it pushes
out the TV. This will be handled later.
After view - The second board from base -
the end was moved to this location to make
room for the Brain Flight Cockpit
(reserved)
Outer Skin is introduced
Installed Brain Cowling
Protective layers to the EXO are fabricated from
recycled grocery containers. In the photo view, a
Cowling has covered the open span used for
expansion. These protect the open spans
against dust and abrasions. A Brain Cowling
weighs almost nothing, so you can add on
as many as are needed. It is also cut to size
with a scissors and hole "drilled" with a soldering
iron. In this view, the Brain Cowling is made to
snap into place. Snap containment is made
up of angle iron tabs.
The photo illustrates the current progression
and assembly of the Brain. Note the Brain now
includes a Summit, Cowling, repositioned small
and large LCDs, Higher Board Density, and a
Summit Board is being installed. Visible are all
new LCD mounts and the small LCD has a new
orientation for Flip Mode use.
The peak gets a new board!
The new Brain Summit Board is at the top of the Brain
in the vertical flip position.
Note the position of the new
Summit Board
The board choice is a Parallax Demo
Board. This provides TV, keyboard,
mouse, sound input, LEDs, and other
useful features.
Definition of Brain Business End position
The Brain Business End is defined as the position
of the Brain from which viewing of LCDs and programming
can take place. It also brings the Owner into full view
and makes hardware changes quickly possible. Two
adjacent boards can serve as the CEO and the first
President. The idea is to have a progression of board
servitude commanded by two Presidents, each taking
on approximately nine workers, more or less.
This early wiring stage of the Brain
Business End shows how boards are
arranged for programming and rewiring
The Brain Business End BBE will rocker backwards
enabling clear views of either LCD by choice. The
smaller LCD is reporting positional data and motion
mechanics with parameters while the large LCD is
for debugging and programming with reports of
Brain Conditions.
Hot melt glue is one possibility
(reserved)