🚀 go-pugleaf

Several people have asked "what is the Mini Board."  Here is a brief
synopsis of the board and its features.  If you would like the full
article describing the board, follow the FTP instruction at the end of
this letter.  Gregory Ratcliff (gratclif@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) is
still accepting orders for a bulk board run (he's doing this on a
non-profit basis).

Cheers,
Fred Martin

Fred Martin | fredm@media.mit.edu | (617) 253-7143 | 20 Ames St. Rm. E15-301
Epistemology and Learning Group, MIT Media Lab     | Cambridge, MA 02139 USA



			  THE MINI BOARD 2.0

	 A miniature controller board for small mobile robots

The MINI BOARD 2.0 is a complete embedded computer board for robotic
applications.  It can directly power four DC motors and receive inputs
from numerous sensors.  Its miniature size (smaller than a business
card) makes it suited well for mobile applications as well as other
embedded control.

It can be programmed in 6811 assembler code or C for stand-alone
operation, or it can serve as a serial-line based controller operated
by a desktop PC.

  * overall dimensions: 3.3" by 1.86", smaller than a business card.
    If desired, an off-board serial connector can be used, allowing an
    additional .6" of board length can be chopped off. 

  * nearly all parts can be purchased from Digikey (including all
    connectors and switches).  Extensive use of resistor packs 
    minimizes component count.

  * uses Motorola 68hc811e2 microprocessor with 2048 bytes of
    internal, electrically erasable PROM and 256 bytes of RAM.

  * four motor drivers for bidirectional control of small DC motors
    (up to 600 mA current, 36 volts each motor).

  * eight analog inputs; eight digital inputs or outputs; several
    timer and counter I/O pins, all broken out to convenient header
    ports. 

  * on-board 5v regulator allows board to be powered by any DC power
    source from 5.6 to 36 volts.

  * RS-232 compatible RJ-11 port for communication/program download
    between host PC.

  * two modular high speed serial jacks, allowing networks of multiple
    MB 2.0's to be constructed using common 4-wire phone cable.
    Multiple-mastering bus protocols supported.

  * optional battery level monitoring using voltage divider from
    supply voltage before regulation.

  * XIRQ line broken out to a pad:  when this line is given 12.5v,
    an 'hc711e9 chip with 12K of EPROM can be programmed in place.

  * MS-DOS software provided for downloading programs to board.  6811
    monitor program provided for recording changes in sensor state, 
    controlling motors and interacting with other board features over
    serial line.

  * C/assembler libraries provided for code development using
    Dunfield Development Systems' Micro-C compiler.

To get the complete article discussing the Mini Board, including PC
artwork, use anonymous FTP to "cher.media.mit.edu" in directory
pub/miniboard.