Controller, Sensors and Motors

Ding Ke

2009-10-12

Tutorial 1, UGB 230N

How to control your robot?

For Vex, we have two ways,– Remote Control– Programming Logic

Controller

The Vex Controller

The Vex Controller Board

The Vex Controller is the brain of the Robot. All of your inputs and outputsgo through this controller.

Remote Control

Remote Control

Signal ReceptionThe vex RF Receiver Module allow the robot toreceive transmitted signals. Reception begins when a radio signal reaches the receiver’s antenna.

Remote Control

The Vex Micro Controller coordinates the flow of information and power on the robot. All other electronic system components must be connected to the Micro Controller in order to function.

Control Configurations

Programming Logic

Easy C– Easy C is a programming language that you will

use to tell your robot what to do.– In Easy C, programs are written using icon-based

code, but the interface includes a window that displays the program in a text-based format as well.

Sensors

Why does a robot need sensors?– The controller need additional information in order

to make right decisions– The sensors are used to get these information.– There are different kinds of sensors, for example,

touch sensors, light sensors, line follower sensors, optical shaft encoder, ultrasonic sensors

What makes a machine a robot?

where should I dig?

where is thetruck?

Sensing Planning Acting

informationabout theenvironment

actionon the

environment

Touch sensors

force voltagemeasurement

electrical flowa simpleswitch

Sensors defined

Sensors convert physical phenomena into readable electric signals.

Also known as “transducers.”

Vex Sensors

Bumper switch sensor

Limit switch sensor

Application

Motors

Motors get their power from the batteries.

motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy

Connected to the controller.

Vex Motors

Motor

spinning either forward or backward at a controlled speed.

Servo Motor

Can be directed to turn to face a specific direction, rather than just spin forward or backward.

Application