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Basic Stamp and Tod Loofbourrow's Mike? — Parallax Forums

Basic Stamp and Tod Loofbourrow's Mike?

hoela4075hoela4075 Posts: 16
edited 2014-06-02 10:41 in Learn with BlocklyProp
I started working with the BOE Bots to learn robotics in order to learn how to build a robot that I have always wanted to build, since I was 12! Tod Loofbourrow's "Mike". Mike uses a KIM-1, which I have, but it uses hexadecimal programming (which sucks) and no way to easily save programs.

The more I use the Basic Stamp, the more I wonder whether or not I could use it instead. But it only has 16 inputs (right? I could be mistaken) where the KIM-1 has 44 (only 40 usable).

But I think it still might work if I change the design to reduce the number of impact sensors...but I heard there is a 40 pin Parallax microprocessor. What is that about and would it maybe work?

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2014-05-29 20:49
    The Parallax Propeller comes in a 40 and 44 pin package. It has 32 I/O pins and there is Basic available for it. Expanding the number of I/O pins is fairly easy to do. There are also robot kits that use the propeller.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2014-05-29 21:22
    You can also easily expand the number of input and output pins on the Basic Stamp by using an external shift register, the 74HC165 for inputs and the 74HC595 for outputs. Schematics and sample code is in the StampWorks Manual here and here. The BS2p40 also is available and has a total of 32 I/O pins used in two banks of 16 each. It comes in a 40 pin DIP module (see here).
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-05-29 21:33
    Wow. He did that in 1976??? Quite amazing for a kid in that day!!!!
  • hoela4075hoela4075 Posts: 16
    edited 2014-05-29 23:10
    This is great info! Thanks so much for replying. Now for a real dumb question...does the BS2p40 fit on a BOE?
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2014-05-30 07:16
    No. A BS2p40 comes as a 40-pin DIP module to make room for the additional 16 I/O pins. The BOE has no room to put it.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-05-30 19:35
    I just had to order that book. $4 from Amazon. A penny, plus $3.99 shipping. :)
  • hoela4075hoela4075 Posts: 16
    edited 2014-05-31 00:18
    I picked up the Parallax 40 pin education kit to try that out. I am not sure that I am good enough at understanding hardware to try and expand the number of pins on my Stamp! But I am interested in trying...When I try to build this robot, I will try to start a build.
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-05-31 00:42
    What exactly are you trying to do where you need so many I/O pins?
    Most people seem to have enough I/O pins with the Boe-Bot and if you look at the Activity Bot you will see that it only has 16 pins by the breadboard.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2014-06-01 09:52
    erco wrote: »
    I just had to order that book. $4 from Amazon. A penny, plus $3.99 shipping. :)

    I was tempted, but decided not to since I'm trying to get out of the pack rat habit. Now if it came as a pdf I would have bought it. Bits on my laptop are a lot easier to lug around.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-06-01 14:06
    kwinn wrote: »
    I was tempted, but decided not to since I'm trying to get out of the pack rat habit. Now if it came as a pdf I would have bought it. Bits on my laptop are a lot easier to lug around.

    So you'd prefer to file this book in the cloud than in the crowd? :)
  • hoela4075hoela4075 Posts: 16
    edited 2014-06-01 22:51
    Genetix wrote: »
    What exactly are you trying to do where you need so many I/O pins?
    Most people seem to have enough I/O pins with the Boe-Bot and if you look at the Activity Bot you will see that it only has 16 pins by the breadboard.

    You need to read the book I am talking about. If I build it stock, I will need 8 I/Os for the bumpers, 2 for the IR sensors (minimum), 6 for the motor controls (with steering). And that is a minimum build. The book talks about building voice recognition and building an arm. I could reduce the bumpers by changing the body shape, but I would like additional I/Os for future expansion. The book requires (and uses most of) 40 pins.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-06-02 10:41
    There are numerous ways to save pins, especially for reading bump switch input. N&V article "one pin, many sensors", and also using one of these: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/132260-Smart-Bumper-for-Robot?p=1009763&viewfull=1#post1009763
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