1. The SFA Rover Team Project

2. The SFA Rover  Must be demonstrated at the beginning of the last lab of the semester, Dec 11 th.  Teams can work on this project after the normal labs are complete each week.  Additional team meetings outside of the normal class time may be required.

3. Background  This project has been a part of the electronics course since 1999.  In the past we have used DC motors or PC fans.

4. Background  Modifications have been inspired by a Randy’s SFA Rover.  This is Thursday’s seminar topic.

6. Project Update  In the past the vehicles were built by individuals and had to travel 50-feet in a short time.  Now the vehicle project is a team project and each vehicle must avoid obstacles and travel 50 feet in 10 minutes.

7. A Robot with a Brain  Each vehicle will have a programmable integrated circuit (PIC) that will make decision and control the motors automatically.  This kind of robot control is the same kind of control that is used on Mars robot rovers.

8. The Vehicle Course 50-feet 6-feet

9. The Vehicle Course 50-feet 6-feet Extra Credit

10. Scoring D = Distance traveled in feet in 10 minutes (the maximum distance is 50-feet) R = 15 if the vehicle successfully demonstrates avoiding an obstacle on the right and 0 if it is not demonstrated L = 15 if the vehicle successfully demonstrates avoiding an obstacle on the left and 0 if it is not demonstrated T = -10 each time the vehicle is touched by a team member during the course Grade = T + L + R + D × 70/(50ft) Bonus: For each extra left or right obstacle avoided, 2 points of extra credit will be earned for each member of the team. A maximum of 20 extra points can be earned in this manner.

11. Left Button Right Button PIC Microcontroller H-Bridge 9-Volt Battery Right Motor Left Motor Voltage Regulator SFA Rover Circuit Diagram

12. Key Concepts Note that the parts used in the team project are discussed in your text book. Chapter 7 - Logic Circuits Chapter 8 - Microcomputers Chapter 10 - Diodes (Voltage Regulator) Chapter 12 - Transistors (H-Bridge) Chapter 16 - DC Machines (Motors)

13. Key Concepts Other key ideas used in this team project include: Battery Power Management Torque Friction Gearboxes

14. Beginning the Construction  There should be 4 members on each team.  Two team members will now work on together on one Heathkit Digital Experimenter.  In pairs take one motor and connect it between 0 and 5 Volts.  Do not supply more than 5 Volts.  Reverse the wires and notice that the motors rotates in the opposite direction.

15. Beginning the Construction  Turn off the power. Now connect the motors to the H-Bridge chip.  Use two Data Switches as inputs into the H-Bridge that can be used to change the direction of the motors. **  Make notes about your wiring so that you can reconstruct this circuit on a portable breadboard later.

18. More Construction  Now use the parts provided to construct a chassis for your vehicle.  If time permits, move you H-Bridge to a portable breadboard and power it using a voltage regulator and 9-Volt battery.  If you are successful, then try to run your vehicle straight down the course.

19. To be continued…  If you did not complete the course, then use some lab time this week to modify your vehicle until it can complete the 50- foot course.  We will integrate the PIC microcontroller and buttons into the circuit later. This will allow the vehicles to avoid obstacles.