A Controller For Robotics And Microcontroller Applications Instruction

A controller board inspired by the Handy Board, but based on a pair of Atmel ATmega128’s, is discussed. Elements of the hardware design and input/output interfaces are detailed, including parallel and serial I/O, analog I/O, an LCD interface, and dc motor control interfaces. Firmware for hardware drivers written in AVR assembly language and a handshaking protocol for communications between the microcontrollers are also discussed. The new controller board, designated Koios I, will first be used in our freshman introductory course – in lieu of the Handy Board – which involves learning about electrical and computer engineering through the design and control of robots. Koios I will also be used in our microcontrollers application course, in our senior capstone design course, and in independent research courses requiring a dedicated computer/controller. Like the Handy Board, Koios I is being developed in an open-source manner. Schematics and firmware code listings are readily available on the web. The firmware for Koios I is written in AVR assembly language; however, user applications can be written in either assembly language or the C programming language via an AVR port of the open source C complier gcc. Printed-circuit board layouts using surface mount devices are currently in progress; the results of which will be made available in the same manner as the schematics and code. Koios I is intended to be continually evolving and a USB interface for program download and an integrated development environment are planned for the near future.