Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!usc!enterpoop.mit.edu!micro-heart-of-gold.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!fredm
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Subject: Re: What is the MiniBoard? Where do I get?
Message-ID: <1992Dec5.213926.3390@news.media.mit.edu>
Sender: news@news.media.mit.edu (USENET News System)
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory
References: <1992Dec5.135145.1@vms.ucc.okstate.edu>
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1992 21:39:26 GMT
Lines: 83

[If someone can tell me how to set up a monthly auto-poster for this,
it would be great!  - fgm]

Following is a description of the board.  You may be interested in
obtaining the documentation for it, which is available via anonymous
FTP as mentioned at the end of the letter.  The FTP server also has
information on persons who are selling blank boards and parts kits.

Let me know if you have any questions or trouble getting the
documentation files printed out.

	- Fred Martin


			  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.

Full documentation for the Mini Board is available via anonymous FTP
to "cherupakha.media.mit.edu" (Internet 18.85.0.47).  Go to
"pub/miniboard" directory and begin by reading the README file located
there.  You will need a PostScript printer to print out the
documentation files.

People who don't have access to anonymous FTP can do FTP-by-mail,
provided as a public service by DEC.  Send a message containing the
single word "help" to "ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com" for instructions.  You
probably will want to start your queries by retrieving the file named
"allfiles.ftp", which is at the top-level directory of our FTP server.
This file is a recursive directory listing of all files on the server.

