The GameBoy Robot

You never played this game ;) This is a small mobile Robot with Nintendo's GameBoy Advance SP as the main (and only) processing unit (no other microcontrollers are used). Characteristics CPU: GameBoy Advance SP Motion: Four wheels drived by four independent dc motors (4x4) Motors: Four dc motors GPIO: Six outputs and eight analog inputs. There are also 8 + 1 outputs detecated for the motor control. One output is reserved for communication with the ADC. So only 6 general purpuse outputs are remained for general use Sensors: Eyes: Two analog infrared transceivers at the front, for object avoidance. The video shows a test of the motor control Δεν έχετε παίξει ποτέ αυτό το παιχνίδι ;) Πρόκειται για ένα μικρό αυτοκινούμενο ρομπότ που χρησιμοποιεί ως κύριο και μοναδικό επεξεργαστή το GameBoy Advance SP της Nintendo. Στο κύκλωμα δεν χρησιμοποιείται κάποιος επιπλέον μικροεπεξεργαστής-μικροελεγκτής Χαρακτηριστικά ΚΜΕ: GameBoy Advance SP Κίνηση: Τέσσερις τροχοί κινούμενοι από τέσσερις ανεξάρτητους dc κινητήρες (4x4) Κινητήρες: Τέσσερις dc κινητήρες GPIO: Έξι έξοδοι και οχτώ αναλογικές είσοδοι. Υπάρχουν επίσης 8 + 1 έξοδοι που προορίζονται για τον έλεγχο των κινητήρων. Μία έξοδος χρειάζεται για την επικοινωνία με τον αναλογικό/ψηφιακό μετατροπέα (ADC). Έτσι απομένουν μόνο 6 έξοδοι γενικού σκοπού για οποιαδήποτε χρήση. Αισθητήρες: Μάτια: Δύο αναλογικοί πομποδέκτες υπερύθρων στο μπροστινό τμήμα, για αποφυγή εμποδίων. Στο βίντεο φαίνεται μια δοκιμή για τον έλεγχο των κινητήρων

Simple cassette player amplifier

This circuit is a simple amplifier of the audio signal comming out directly from a magnetic head of a cassete player (like the ones used for cars, before the CD era). The design is focusing on simplicity and not on generating a high fidelity output, which is also depending on the quality of the cassette (tape). This amplifier differs from most audio amplifiers based on common opamps because it uses an LNA opamp (low noise amplifier), due to the fact the audio source has microvolt level (uV). Amplifying a uV voltage without adding internal noise is not an easy task. Note that the output of a microphone has a mV voltage level so it's easier to use common opamps for the amplification.

Weird legged PCB Robot

This is a simple but weird robot build entirely with veroboards (stripboards). The robot is standing on two free running wheels and it has two legs that are pushing it like a small cart. Characteristics CPU: Basic Stamp 2. Board of Education Motion: Two legs with 3 degrees of freedom each (Each leg looks like a PUMA manipulator, without the end effector tool). Two free running wheels are used at the frontend (no extra motors). Motors: Six small servomotors (1.5 Kg). Three motors on each leg. Sensors: Eyes: Two infrared transceivers at the front, for object avoidance. Ears: Two microphones. Capability to detect sound direction.

Soccer and Sumo Robot???

OK, this is a new design I am working on. It's a small robot with a kicking mechanism, a grip and a lot of other cool stuff (e.g. BlueTooth and the ability to control it with an Android app, the ability to charge it to a charging base and much more). This is the prototype and I built it for the tests. Curently I am working on the new improved PCB's It is Arduino based I have also some thoughts of implementing a txtzyme style language or a visual style programming using Blockly (or maybe I will combine those two techniques)

Simple Volume Unit meter (VUmeter)

This is by far the simplest VUmeter you can build. It is based on a single chip. A volume unit (VU) meter or standard volume indicator is a device for displaying the level of any voltage signal source (which is usually a sound signal). Connect the module to the output of any amplifier (or preamplifier) and set the trimmer where all LEDs are lighting, when the volume of the amp is at maximum (or at least at that point, where you want all LEDs to light).

Convert a webcam to infrared

This is a very simple project and it doesn't require a circuit board to be made. We are going to convert a cheap web camera to an infrared camera, capable of viewing in the dark. You can use the IR camera for to a home security system (surveillance system). The only thing you need is a infrared light source witch is invisible to the naked eye. But this is the subject of another project!

BasAVRa LiTe

BasAVRa LiTe is an alternative programming board for the famous Basic Stamp II by Parallax (OEM version). We have already see how to make our own homemade Basic stamp 2 board of education using the OEM chip, in the article BS2 programming board. BasAVRa LiTe goes one step further by replacing the wired serial connection with a wireless Bluetooth to serial connection. With BasAVRa LiTe you can program and control Basic Stamp 2 from your computer without using wires and from great distance (e.g. from the next room).

RS232 to TTL level converter

Perhaps this is the most famous RS232 to TTL level converter. When launched by MAXIM, it become so popular that several clones acquired as the years went by. This project shows how it is possible to implement a small module to interact easily with devices which support the asynchronous serial interface (TTL levels).

IR remote control tester circuit

This is a simple and small circuit you can build in order to test infrared remote controls, coming from audio and video devices (e.g. television, DVDs, VCRs and more). You can also use it to test devices which are using the famous IrDA protocol.

In circuit AVR programmer (ISP)

Perhaps this circuit is the simplest AVR programmer you can build. Its great advantage is the ability to program almost any AVR microcontroller, without the need to remove it from the circuit in which is connected (in circuit programming).