SMARTBEAM! Ok, it's really microcontroll...

Dave Hrynkiw
October 2, 2008

It's been in the coming for a while, and now is the time to release it to the webosphere (yes, I said "Web-o-sphere").

Since Solarbotics Ltd. took over HVW Technologies, we simply couldn't ignore some of the benefits of microcontrollers. Really, they're not that scary. Many of them even look like our good friend the 74AC240 IC.

PICAXE Starter kitWe're starting our blending of technologies with the PICAXE line of microcontrollers. These have some specific features that make them very usable with BEAM projects:

  1. They're inexpensive. Most of us BEAMers are a cheap lot, scavenging for parts.
  2. They're SIMPLE. Plug in a USB cable, draw flow-charts, and download the code!
  3. They offer suitability. With over 13 types from very simple and small (08 series) to the powerful 40X1 series,  you can pick the right tool for the job, without overkill. How BEAM-ish.

So if you've become too comfortable with your latest techniques, try something new. Stretch your brain, and check out the PICAXE. We've even got starter packs, and a book!


Besides the PICAXE, we're also dabbling with the Freeduino SB. This is a project spawned from the Arduino project out of Italy. It's an open-source hardware and software project using the Atmel ATmega168 microcontroller.The really cool thing is that that it's open-source, there's a huge world-wide community of developers and users, so there's lots of help, source-code, and examples to start with.Freeduino SB

It's more expensive than the PICAXE, but it's a different beast. Where the PICAXE is generally just the chip, Freeduino is a full system. Besides the microcontroller, the Freeduino includes:

  • USB interface (so you just plug it into your PC to use it. That's it!)
  • Programming software usable on Windows, Mac, and Linux,
  • Programming language that is C-like, but simpler
  • Built-in voltage regulation, indicator LEDs and a FUSE. How beginner-friendly is that? (Very!)

So if you're more programming savvy than flowcharts and BASIC, check out a Freeduino SB, and do some web-searches. It's an very useable, handy platform!

MORE POSTS

January 14, 2002
BEP Documentation Update

We've tweaked the documentation for the BEP-MSE1 "Miller Solarengine" to correct a minor error (if you wanted to use the MVSE modification, this is the correct on), and added some circuit specs. Application notes for all the modules are in the works- stay tuned!

October 18, 2003
RoboMaxx II Pictures online

Here's a collection of pictures and videos I shot on my trip to RoboMaxx II in Grants Pass, Oregon. I had a good time. Come and see what I saw!

April 9, 2009
Closed for Easter Weekend, Special Deal

We're coming up on that magical time of year when rabbits tend to poop chocolate eggs. Which, quite frankly, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Couple that with April 1st, where the object is to mess with people, and this sure makes for a bizarre month. But hey - when a strange, chocolaty rodent is enough […]

April 3, 2002
Robots Rising re-run

Did you miss the award-winning documentary "Robots Rising" the first time? A very good documentary on the present state of robotics, including a few clips of our own Mr. Tilden. Worth investigating (Airing April 11 to 19). Read More...

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