Big Brain Web Update

BIG BRAIN WEB SITE UPDATES As you may have noticed, Big Brain's Business web site is now a combination Blogger and Web Page. Over the course of time we will merge more functions to bring you the best of both worlds. This means lots of space, more pictures, increase in the number of live owned links, full Blogger archives and current updates, and features like the online web form added today (see Contact in the upper tabs). This unique site will have added materials for various topics worked on and explored at the Humanoido Labs. Interests include:

Artificial Intelligence
Academic Materials

Robots
DIY Projects

Humanoido Helpers

Creating Life

Exploring Cognizant Machine Beings

Autonomous & Learning Systems

Rocket Science & Space Exploration

Electronic Speech Synthecation

Digital Speech Recognition

Processor Programming

Parallel Systems

Super Computing

Supermicrocontrollers

Mechanics

Electronics

Optics

Space Time Relativity
Exploring the Universe
Exploration of the Unknown

Time Travel

Optoelectronics

Machine Intelligence

Inventions

Computing Machines

Physics & Science

Lunar & Planetary Cartography
Advanced Mars Studies
Writing

Design Work

Creating Electronic Brains

Creative Projects

Telescopes

Observatories

Astro Imaging

Advanced Research

Future Designs

Language Systems

Brain Lab Update

BRAIN LABORATORY UPDATES

The new lab for the expanding Big Brain will have two desks delivered on Saturday. Internet will be installed, a new large TV/Monitor delivered, and some last minute work will be completed on improvements to two space environments. The Big Brain Crypt will have some upgrades. Plans are made for some organizational improvements. Plans for parts and supply stocking is underway. Yours truly is elected to do the cleaning which includes two levels, the Brain Loft, main living quarters, and the deck. (pretending to be a NASA white-room) Yikes! More weekend work!

Brain Bouncing Computing Algorithm

BRAIN BOUNCING COMPUTING ALGORITHM

This technique is an algorithm that engages a bouncing method in the Big Brain chip Partitions and arrays to employ the use of available chips for computing in the collective. A code is used to bounce from chip to chip and determine the in-use status based on chip self flagging. A chip is flagged busy when its tied up thinking. The bouncing code bypasses a busy flag chip and collects chips for use that are not busy. The Bounce Code is as follows:

Chip Status:

Flag = Busy

  or

Flag = Not Busy

If Flag = Busy then Bounce

If Flag = Not Busy then Engage

Definitions

Brain Bouncing - algorithm used to find chips available for use. Code is used to bounce from chip to chip and determine the in-use status based on chip self flagging.

Wax Eye

Big Brain Gets a Wax Eye

Now don't say "ewe" too quickly as this simple eye uses technology from optics (a single double convex lens) and a piece of waxed paper from a local grocery store. The wax paper is the image forming element and the lens projects the image onto the paper. A sensor or camera is placed behind the paper and photos the image in real time using macro mode. It works well on brighter objects, terrestrial, the Moon and brighter Planets, depending on the diameter of the lens.

Little Eye Contraption

LITTLE EYE CONTRAPTION

This amazing Little Eye Contraption is a monocular pinhole telescope that uses only one glass lens. Economically it can give the Big Brain a Seeing Eye which it can control. Explore the pinhole lens telescope and see what new things are discoverable..

Overview

In continuing experiments with a variety of eyes and telescopes, the Big Brain has created yet another scope of unusual nature, this time it uses a refracting element as the primary and a tiny pinhole eyepiece created from a sheet of aluminum bakers foil punched with a needle.

Pinhole Size

Make various size pinholes and try to get the most circular possible. This telescope works well on bright objects like the Moon but do not use it on the Sun. If the pin hole ocular is too small, diffractions effects will begin to take place and the image will degrade and become too dim. If the pinhole is too large, a degrading and blurring will take effect. Try experimenting for the optimum conditions.

Finding Primaries

The primary lens is a simple magnifier lens obtained from a dollar store. Experiment with various size diameters and focal lengths.

Increasing Image Quality

Stop down the lens with a circular aperture mask and the image quality may improve substantially.

Make a Zoom Lens

The telescope can be converted into a Zoom by varying the distance between the pinhole and the objective lens. In this example the Brain has used a large magnifying glass as the primary objective to create a refractor telescope.

Enable Inverted Images or Not

You can make the telescope perform with images either upside down or right side up by varying the distance between the ocular and the convex lens.

Electro Imaging

Try using your camera in macro mode or electrical sensor to do some astro imaging or eye work. Use the technique of pinhole projection. If we get results on the Moon if it ever stops raining, we'll report back here with the images. Use a method of photography for terrestrial results.

Future Exploration

Try replacing the pinhole ocular with a piece of wax paper. It will form images of bright objects that can be observed visually or photographed.

Brain Crypt Astro Observatory Lab

Brain Crypt Observatory

Big Brain Crypt Lab Loft before moving in

This entire space is dedicated to one lucky expansive Big Brain!!!

The new Big Brain Crypt and Lab Loft has lots of windows (at left & center), though it looks bigger in the photo than in real life.

Any one of the many Big Brain robotic telescopes can set outside on high rise skyscraper roof top access to observe a complete sky panorama, according to a Big Brain's astronomical agenda. Observation equipment controlled by the Brain can also set on the outside home Deck. Control is possible by direct means, wireless and routed cables through the windows.

Will the Big Brain fit into this Lab space? Initially the space seems large for one project but never underestimate the constant growth of the Big Brain!

Brain Crypt & Lab Loft

BRAIN CRYPT & LAB LOFT

The real potential exists for the Big Brain to now move into an upper loft where it will perch above all other locations. Will the massive Big Brain fit into the large bed crypt? Will the loft provide other unexpected benefits?

Will the massive Brain fit the bed crypt?

The new laboratory has a loft extension which has the ultimate use of extending the dynamics of the Big Brain's Micro Space Program. Missiles and micro space craft can launch from the Airport and rocket launcher complex at the upper altitude and then coast down to main recovery level, extending the range and functions of the Space Program. This is a boon for Micro Space Craft Test Gliders and the Aerial Photography program. The new laboratory was first announced here.

Past Blast Brain Cube

Computer Brain Cube representation

2002 HUMANOID BRAIN-CUBE

Created 26 Jun 2002, 03:47 UTC modified 26 Jun 2002, 04:03 UTC

Past Blast time travels to a decade ago, way back in the year 2002 when work was underway to create a different kind of big brain with great processing power. The Brain Cube of yesteryear paved the way to the Big Brain of today.

The BRAIN-CUBE functions in n-dimensions for the greatest humanoid processing power

Parts are now garnered for the first five levels in the matrices of the BrainCube. Initial matrice coupling has been accomplished with wire interfacing, but soon to be replaced with homebuilt and designed optoelectronic phase couplers and newly built free space transportation devices - this will eliminate wires, compress the size down to a more microscopic level, and allow the introduction of light waves and lenses to replace electronic components, a plus in terms of high speed particle functioning and component elimination and reduction. 

As N dimensions are added to the modulus, the mathematics of the dynamics seem to grow exponentially. I have added a project phase to further develop N dimension mathematics, as needed. It is likely the power of N dimensional computing will initially exceed the humanoid walking parameters, but will assist in more complex functions such as vision recognition algorithms and AI retentive capabilities. 

Definitions

MATRIX BRAIN CUBE - a three dimensional matrix cube supported by up to one thousand discrete optical computers (n computers) serving as a humanoid brain.

Stacking Up
How does this stack up against today's Big Brain? Favorably. The Big Brain has 100+ dimensions and fits the expansive "n" computers model nicely. The Big Brain has 100,000+ processors, ten times larger than the Matrix Brain. It's multi arrayed and paralleled, not necessarily cubed though it can be, and the processors are mix varied between Propeller cores, Propeller VPs, GPUs and not optical.

LED Boards

LED BOARDS FOR GIANT BRAIN EYES & MIRRORS

Electronics Store in Taiwan

These high density LED printed circuit boards boards can typically hold 2,500 LEDs each. Some have higher densities and hold more or less LEDs and are rated for 5 and 12V DC. Prices range from $19 on up.

Boards have termination islands for making connection. Note the tag for $950 is about US$28.79.

Big Brain & UST Transport

BIG BRAIN AND UST TRANSPORT

This could be a transporting agent for the Ultra Small Telescope and a smaller sibling of the Big Brain. One of the smallest cars available, the Smart ForTwo, has ample room for both telescope, equipment, supplies and a condensed customized controlling version of the Big Brain. Imagine a portable mini robotic Brain controlled observatory capable of going almost anywhere!


What will you do with all that extra parking space in a standard size garage? Finish it off to make a nice electronics and computer lab room for the Big Brain! This opens up all kinds of options.

LED Mirror

Big BRAINS' LED MIRROR
Spectacular Use for LEDs:
Converting LEDs into Mirrors


Who would think this LED light emitting diode could be transformed into a mirror? The Big Brain knows how.
_________________________ 

The Brain is inventing another project that it can control and operate - this new design uses LED mirrors, made possible by the introduction of large SMT panels for vast arrays of LEDs.

The LED Mirror is a new breed in mirror technology according to the Big Brain. Take for example one panel of 1,000 to 10,000 LEDs, each LED is light sensitive. Curve the substrate into a half round open ended cylinder and it becomes a kind light gathering cylindrical device, the electronic image of which can be handled with software.

The panel will flex making it change shape and Big Brain is capable of controlling it and can internally mathematically apply corrections to the shape with an end result of spectacular "deep" imaging - a new application that could possibly usher in a new telescope, that of the LED telescope design.

Switching to infrared LEDs will create an infrared telescope detector. Other color LEDs, i.e. yellow and green, have different spectral ranges and can create varying wavelength detector mirrors.

Informal experiments (at the store) show the thinner LED array pcbs can flex into a spherical shape. This "giant eye" would be perfectly matched to a "seeing all" Big Brain with 3,200 controlling I/Os. It could also become a giant photon collector with scientific uses, or it could decode impinging sound waves from converted light on a wide band scale. Such a lensed panel could measure flat distributions of various light waves for occultation and binary star work or become an "incident photon collector."

If we could just convince the manufacturer to make the pcbs round and put larger numbers of closely packed LEDs on the board... That may be possible on a DIY basis by paralleling a clone of what's already on the board. A hundred LED board could have 200, a 500 could have 1,000 and a thousand could have 2000. That's one board.

Ten boards would have 20,000 LEDs. Fifty boards for a large project would match the Big Brain's first 100,000 processors. This would make a special display for the Big Brain with multi function capability to be used to output binary, decimal, hex, images, alphanumerics, waveforms, languages, mathematics, and special configurations all at the same time.

Definitions

LED Mirror - the use of LEDs as sensor input devices to gather light and form an electronic mirror

LED Mirror Telescope - a telescope made from a series of LEDs that act as an electronic primary mirror

LED Array Flexing - a method of bending the board containing the array of LEDs to impart a shape condusive to imaging

New Lab Opening

December 19th, 2011 NEW LAB OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT

We are excited to announce the opening of a new large laboratory for the Big Brain that will expand not only the availability of parts and resources but enable greater instrumentation working space and a new Micro Space Headquarters where micro space program research can continue.

This also increases the level of computer research due to the open net as compared to countries that block their internet such as Mainland China. The previous smaller lab in Taiwan will be retained on standby. The Big Brain project is a mobile one - and the Brain is capable of working in multi labs and multi countries. This wide cultural range of available resources is ideal for the project and opens up new levels of expansion.

There is some thought of expanding the Big Brain to an equal level in each Lab. This would enable the transfer of programs, software and projects more seamlessly. Projecting, with three expanded laboratories, a full 300,000 processors could be put into use along with upgrades. The project is currently measured by attributes of the total number of processors, speed, and projects instigated by the Big Brain.

Transient Machines

TRANSIENT MACHINES

Machines made from borrowed parts

A Transient Machine is made from borrowed parts from another machine. In the case of the Big Brain, it has all the Propeller chips, so to make up another machine, some chips are borrowed off the solderless breadboards.

Many Transient Machines can be designed and the designs archived or even breadboarded and held awaiting life, and a single prop chip can pop in or out of the circuit on demand.

In this manner, many of the one, two and three or more chip offsprings can be sprung into life at a moments notice.

The Big Brain design facilitates the use and creation of transient machines, due to its third open ended Propeller array Partition. This indicates the Big Brain can continue to function even with a few chips removed from its end array.

After the Transient Machine has completed its duty, simply return the chip(s) to the Big Brain. 

Definitions
Transient Machine - a machine made from the borrowed parts of another machine.. after the machine has accomplished its goals, the parts are returned to the original machine.

Old Lab Closing

December 18th, 2011 OLD LAB CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Big Brain is closing the Laboratory in Shanghai, China. The BB Labs in the USA and in Beijing will be maintained and one new lab will be opened. The opening of the new lab will be announced shortly with details. This represents a shifting and expansion of resources and provides new sources of materials for the massive Brain project.

Big Brain Team

Welcome to the Big Brain Team

"I view the Big Brain as a powerful mind with a large domain that it wants to control, organize, and bring together for some higher unknown purpose. I am only the mediator, or moderator of the Big Brain, to help provide for its wants, desires and demands... Humanoido"

The Big Brain team is a family consisting of both machine and human. At the top is the Big Brain. Next in line is the mediator, or Humanoido. Farther down the chain we meet the offspring. Since other machines were all assimilated by the Big Brain, at least the ones that had Propeller chips, we can list the family as follows:

The Big Brain Family

Machines

The Big Brain

Big Brain Offspring

Small Brain

Bantam Brain

Pint Size Brain

Child Brain

Baby Brain

Bit Brain 

Human
Humanoido

UST Ultra Small Telescope?

Is small better than big?

The Big Brain postulates an interesting idea today. As work has proceeded (tests, model construction, observations, programs, experiments) towards the investigation, design and study of a larger telescope (the ULT), the Brain is now studying the converse, that of an Ultra Small Telescope (UST).

Can huge amounts of power be derived and achieved with smaller devices? Can a smaller telescope be made to outperform the largest? If the small telescope has the ultimate in surface formation and the images are of far superior clarity to larger models, can it outperform the larger unit? What techniques can be employed to facilitate this objective? How can the light gathering issue be addressed?

Perhaps there are advantages that are overlooked to having an Ultra Small Telescope UST. Some immediate gains are listed.

Gains of a Smaller Telescope

01) Light weight

02) Amplification of light gathering power by Charged Coupled Devices

03) Superior guiding and tracking

04) Best transport portability

05) Best location

06) Best mounting ability

07) Fastest setup time

08) More convenient to use

09) Superior optics

10) Superior atmospheric cell penetration

11) Superior handling ability

12) Less budget requirement

13) Shorter time to construct

14) Fastest disassembly time

15) More easy to make robotic

16) Faster thermal settling

17) Faster response to thermodynamic changes

18) Easier to store

19) Easier to maintain

20) Lighter when lifting

21) Smaller and diminuative
22) Capable of 10X enhancements
23) Next Generation Enhancement NGE Ready
24) Mountable inside small transport vehicles
25) Both ULT and Big Brain can run off a car battery

Other considerations. How small is an Ultra Small Telescope?
What is the diameter and physical size range of a UST?
What type of UST best serves Big Brain purposes?

How to surpass the 1.22(Lamda)/D res barrier?

What are the gains on light gathering enhancement?

How will the Big Brain control the UST telescope?
What are Big Brain objectives for a UST?

Big Brain Moving Here

Continuing growth of the Big Brain project causes massive growth!

Again and again the Big Brain has outgrown monstrous sized containment fields. It has outgrown an entire Forum so now Big Brain moves to its own home, here!

You'll see both a vast web site and bloggers dedicated to the enormous Brain. Of course this will take time to construct and fill, but the good news is the Blogger is immediately working online and growing. Plus, as the Brain continues to grow, posts will go online so everything can stay updated. Stay tuned as we bring in valuable project material and introduce spectacular new topics, designs and data.

Singing Choir of 700

SINGING CHOIR OF 700 The Big Brain becomes a spectacular choir of 700 singing voices using this technique! Use the Brain's first two Propeller chip arrays of 100 chips loaded in parallel using the injectors and execute code simultaneously. Chip Gracey's code Singing Monk Squad of 7 is multiplied 100 times in parallel to create a singing choir of 700! Also pace the vocal squad dudes in the Singing Squad of 4 if you prefer a choir of 400. It's  up to you to mix all those audio signals. Check the schematic for the Parallax Propeller Demo Board for running the audio connections. Propeller Demo Board Rev D/E/F Schematic

Big Brain Sex

CAN PROPELLER CHIPS HAVE SEX?

MACHINE REPRODUCTION: This topic was investigated May 7th, 2011 in an effort to determine if the Big Brain was Hermaphrodite, Male, or Female. The analysis went like this:

Machine reproduction is an interesting concept because it is highly dependent on the previous topics of Genome and DNA sequences. At some point the machine must become male, female, both or neither.

Four Gender States of a Propeller Chip

• Male
• Female
• Hermaphrodite
• Neuter

Compare this to some snails that are both male and female and can do self fertilization. Most species of snails are hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. It is not usual for a snail to fertilize itself.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you...male_or_female

Machines are only somewhat Hermaphrodite in nature as they can do self cloning. Self cloning only produces an exact copy of the original and does not produce an intermixing of genome for genetic diversity and evolutionary purposes.

It would make more sense to send one Brain to the Moon and have it replicate itself rather than initially send two brains, one male and one female. This saves expense and weight.

This is the pattern of the initial Big Brain. Later, Big Brains will require sex, Male Big Brains and Female Big Brains - to ensure the mixing of DNA and evolution.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_sn...ale_and_female

There is a difference in reproducing and creating genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is achieved when two snails mate together.

Barrel Power Connector Pictorial

BARREL POWER CONNECTOR
Basic connections
01-06-2011, 08:33 PM CODE 5-115

This is a handy pictorial that can be used to measure power on the unmodified PPPB. It shows the (+/-)
polarity of the Barrel Connector and the positioning of the power LED under the slide switch. It also
identifies the green LED and its resistor pair. PPPB = Parallax Propeller Proto Board.

Regulator Pictorial

REGULATOR PICTORIAL
01-06-2011, 08:23 AM CODE 5-114

The pictorial sketch shows the 3.3-volt power regulator and its pinout. The PPPB was modified by lifting the 3.3 VDC leg. Below the regulator is the pinout of the nearest connector.

Resistor Selection

RESISTOR SELECTION
Propeller Protection & Pull Down Considerations

01-06-2011, 08:17 AM CODE 5-113

When connecting prop to prop, a 2.2K ohm resistor is recommended to protect the Propeller chip pin. In the circuit at the bottom of the diagram posted above, what value is recommended and does the 4.7K ohm pull-down resistor need a lower value? At first glance, it looks like 2.2K ohm could be used throughout. That would give 4.4K ohms to Vss with each Propeller chip, close to the original recommended 4.7K ohms. Considerations: how will this be affected with 20 props? With 50 props?

Brain Serial Interfacing

ALL ABOUT BRAIN SERIAL INTERFACING
Deciding the nature of various connecting interfaces
01-06-2011, 07:58 AM CODE 5-112

  When is comes to serial interfacing, there are numerous options to consider. I have categorized some of the possibilities and listed some options to consider.

First, decide if the interface will use one pin or two pins. A two wire interface (2 pins per chip) can operate in a bi-directional full duplex mode (send and receive at the same time or staggered). It can also be configured to function with one wire out of the two as half duplex.

One wire (1 pin per chip) functions in half duplex mode. It can either send or receive but not both at the same time. One wire interfacing has the advantage of simplicity, can be up and running in a timely fashion, and has low code overhead potentially needing only a single cog.

Standard One-Pin Uni-Directional True/Inverted Mode
Standard Two-Pin Bi-Directional True/Inverted Modes
Same-Pin (Bi-Directional) Inverted Mode
Same-Pin (Bi-Directional) True Mode

Various serial interfacing (requires the addition
of protection resistors)

The napkin sketch shows four connection diagrams, less the protection resistors on each Propeller. Not the pull up and pull down configurations with a 4K7 resistor in bi-directional true and inverted modes. One pin bi-directional mode in inverted mode and pull down was adopted by BSS (illustration number 4). For simplicity, reliability and familiar code, illustration 4 will be adapted first unless otherwise noted.

Brain Work Sheet

BRAIN WORK SHEET
01-05-2011, 12:54 PM CODE 5-110

 
( ) 1 Stamp + 1 Prop
( ) 1 Prop + 1 Prop
( ) 1 Prop Master + 2 Props Slaves
( ) Parts Acquisition
( ) Brain Stem
( ) Brain Base
( ) Brain Span
( ) Power Tests
( ) 1-Wire Serial
( ) 2-Wire Serial
( ) Parallel BUS
( ) Serial Code
( ) Cog Consumption
( ) Breadboard DIY
( ) Breadboard Commercial
( ) LED Resistor Pair Value
( ) LED Red Tests
( ) LED Yellow Tests
( ) LED Green Tests
( ) Testing LED Code
( ) Sketching
( ) Researching AI
( ) Researching Cognitive Learning
( ) Researching High Speed Data Transmission

Green Brain Blob

01-05-2011, 11:12 AM Code 6-109

Green Brain Blob & Green Guts

Approach to recycling hardware and software

The previous post specified the Hybrid BBB. Recycling may represent a large portion of the Brain Blob. The Brain, no matter how we look at it, needs all the resources it can get. Things inside will need the ability to serve numerous multiple purposes. I can see the use of shape shifters that are recycled from one purpose into another. Pins may recycle from output to input and visa versa. Memory is recyclable with varying code that runs and deletes. Algorithms can created "erasable" subroutines. Axons cycle for use and reuse. Code is self writing. Transposition, transmutation, juxtaposition, morphing, blending and evolving are all aspects of greening up the brain. For a comparison example of morphing where space is recycled, see the 4D Morphing Computer (with CoProcessor).

Brain Blob BUS

01-05-2011, 11:02 AM Code 6-108 BRAIN BLOB BUSS 

The foundation of the Hybrid BBB

    I had previously and briefly mentioned the hybrid aspect of the interfacing BUS for the Brain and this has now evolved through various testing trial and error into something more usable. The hybrid BBB is based on the proponent idea in the AM Algorithm Machine's Hybrid Bus, although it used a tiny 6-bit parallel version. For example, a two wire serial full duplex interface can use one wire or two wires just by changing the software. That's the idea. So we just put on the parallel bus and tweak software for three interfaces, i.e. make an 8-bit parallel and recycle 1 or 2 wires for serial duplex modes. The Hybrid BBB is a nice little hobby invention for getting more use out of a simple machine and increasing programming flexibility and minimizing the number of wired processor pins. It will also allow a system to be up and running sooner and leave the more complicated configurations for later. No schematics at this time for the Brain but there is a direct-connect schematic for the AM.

    For example,
    the AM Machine Interface


    This versatile machine operates in four modes, which can be wired as single mode A, single mode B, or dual modes A & B, or simply C mode. Operate the AM using a single wire and serial PBASIC code commands or program the machine using the seven parallel port bits.

    A - Single Wire Serial P0
    B - Parallel Bus P3, P4, P5, P6, P7
    A + B Dual BUS, as seen above
    C - Parallel Bus Only P0, P3. P4, P5, P6, P7

Brain Cog Power Draw

BRAIN COG POWER DRAW

01-05-2011, 10:20 AM CODE 5-110

 Managing current within a Brain Blob

Each of eight cogs draw power
when in use

From time to time we will review the power consumption aspects of the Brain. We need to know the aspects of all power draw in the Brain as things are leading towards the development of battery operation for mobile robots (as one app). Dr. Braino has pointed out, as seen in the Propeller Specification sheet, a cog draws something on the order of 1 uA per Mkz per core and inactive cores are 0 uA. So every time a cog is turned on, it will draw a small amount of extra power. It may not seem like much, but multiplied by hundreds, or many thousand of cogs, it will add up and every milli-amp is significant.

Simple Learning Algorithms

01-04-2011, 12:34 PM Code 6-105 SIMPLE LEARNING ALGORITHMS
We'll need some simple examples of learning algorithms that can begin with one Propeller and then have it applied to multiple processors.

The Last PPPB Breadboard

01-03-2011, 05:05 PM Code 6-104 The Last PPPB
 
Finally the last PPPB gets a solderless breadboard!

Breadboard Add

01-03-2011, 05:03 PM Code 6-103 BREADBOARD ADD
Getting ready to add more breadboards to these PPPBs. There are 19 total plus one which has a home-made SBB.

Testing Setup for LEDs

01-03-2011, 05:00 PM Code 6-102 TESTING SETUP FOR LEDS

Testing setup for LEDs using breadboards mounted on Parallax Propeller Proto Boards.

Building DIY Breadboards

01-03-2011, 04:58 PM CODE 6-101 BUILDING DIY BREADBOARDS
A DIY project for Brain boards

You can make very affordable home-made breadboards using pin sockets. Solder across pins on the sockets solder points on the bottom of the Parallax Propeller Proto Board to make connections.

DIY Breadboards can be made very small. A four socket row is very useful for connecting data LEDs, resistors, capacitors, power connections, extensions, ground, and various sensors. The weight is significantly less than the smallest commercial breadboard at the Parallax store. However, for the purpose of constructing the Brain Base and the Brain Span, the larger Parallax is ideal for more connection points and larger scale tests. The board from the brain's Brain Stem has a very small solderless breadboard built up from standard inexpensive dual row pin sockets. Economical DIY breadboards cost only a few pennies. Commercial breadboards can fill in for Brain Base and Brain Span apps. Parallax item code 700-00012 is currently $3.99.

Small Breadboards

01-03-2011, 04:55 PM Code 5-100 SMALL BREADBOARDS

Small breadboards are added to PPPBs. The yellow wire is a pin control to the data LED. Small breadboards were obtained from Parallax Inc. and affixed with rolled tape in the event of necessary removal in the future.

241 Resistor

01-03-2011, 04:52 PM Code 5-99  241 RESISTOR

 
This 241 resistor is insufficient for regulating the data LED due to power constraints imposed by robotic battery operation requirements.

Testing Conclusions

01-03-2011, 01:55 PM Code 5-98 TESTING CONCLUSIONS

    * The decision is made to use on-PPPBs data lights with 4K7 resistors.
    * The on board data light will be kept for more infrequent use
    * Modified boards will be used throughout the Brain Stem, Brain Base and Brain Span
    * A red LED will be selected over green and yellow

Power Testing

01-03-2011, 01:55 PM 5-97 POWER TESTING

    * Modified Parallax Propeller Proto board (both regulators and LED disabled) draws 4mA idle. Power LED converted to data light draws 20mA when on. Another test confirmed 4mA modified board current. Unmodified, board draws 10mA. To modify, lift the middle leg of the 3.3 vdc (output leg) of the LM1086 CS-3.3 regulator.

    * Another test, mod proto board draws 5ma, 19ma with on board data light. Put Taiwan LED on pin 25 with 150 ohm resistor = 12ma. Draws 6ma with 2.2k ohm. (since board draws 5ma, the Taiwan LED is drawing only 1ma)

    * Power LED converted to data light still has a 241 ohm resistor on it which is too small a value and that is why you see 20ma current. This is not acceptable for the purpose of battery portable operations. Therefore another data LED will be added.

    * The China red LED is the same as the red Taiwan LED – very bright at only 1ma. The green China LED is barely visible. (using a 2.2K ohm resistor). The green Taiwan is also too dim. The yellow Taiwan LED is also the same/ too dim.

    * The secondary LED was tested with a 2.2K resistor and was bright. With a 4.7K, it was less bright but still usable. You would not want to go dimmer. Therefore, with the Prop's 3.3 volt pin, use a resistor from 2.2K to 4.7K range depending on desired brightness. Both tests showed the LED drawing 1ma.

Boards on Boards

01-03-2011, 01:37 PM Code 5-96 BOARDS ON BOARDS
This is the board attachment phase

Boards on boards simply refer to the mounting of secondary boards on the PPPBs. This is a small solderless breadboard (SBB) for wiring the components for data transfer (various BUS), data lights, power rail, power connection, and any additional circuits. It's also useful for rapidly changing and morphing the wiring and to run various test circuits. The board is extremely small and is very minimal in its propagation of EMI/ RFI and can be situated close to the Propeller chips' pin array - another useful minimization. This may or may not allow overclocking, future tests will determine the viability of overclocking. Currently the boards handle 80MHz and 20MIPs per cog.

Although there are 20 PPPBs, only 19 will receive the SBB. This is because the PPPB in the Brain Stem is a hybrid which must interface to a BASIC Stamp and already has a tiny SBB made up of 7 total pin connector arrays. It may take some time to attach all SBBs. They are attached directly beneath the PPPBs label "PropClip" and "Keyboard." Note the hybrid PPPB already has the expansion kit installed for attaching keyboard, VGA, and mouse, so in the remaining boards this position is available for adding SBB real estate.

SBBs are attached with large pieces of rolled plastic boxing tape. SBBs can be reposition, relocated, and removed at any time. The adherence may last for years, depending on environment and tape qualities.

Software Test 2

01-03-2011, 01:20 PM CODE 5-95  Software Test 2
It became necessary to have a small program for testing the data light to ascertain the current draw and compare the LED on the Parallax Propeller Proto Board (PPPB) with another one on another pin (mounted on the breadboard).

Attached is testing Spin software for three types of LEDs.
1) On the Demo Board to test the software
2) Surface mount LED on the PPPB
3) LED on the breadboard

Pins are listed in the code and remarks.
The delay between on/off cycles was increased to allow for ammeter settle time between reads.

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The Brain Blob by Humanoido
brainblobtest2.spin
Sunday January 03, 2011

LED Testing for the Brain Blob Project
Blinks LED on pin 24 and/or 25 using the Parallax Propeller Proto Board
Use pin 23 for demo board testing of this software
Use pin 24 to test the Parallax Propeller Demo Board modification (on board LED)
Use pin 25 to test resistors for LED on the breadboard.
Rem out statements to select pins


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CON                               ' Constants
  _clkmode       = xtal1 + pll16x ' 80MHz clock
  _xinfreq       = 5_000_000      ' 5MHz crystal
' LED1           = 24             ' LED mod is on pin 24 Proto Board
  LED2           = 25             ' This LED is on the breadboard
' LED            = 23             ' pin 23 demo board
  delay          = 160_000_000    ' Delay enough for ma reading to settle

PUB Main                          ' Main method
' dira[LED1] := 1                 ' Set LED pin as output
  dira[LED2] := 1                 ' Make pin 25 output
' dira[22]   := 1                 ' correct ghost led on demo board
' outa[22]   := 0                 ' correct ghost led on demo board
' outa[LED1] := 1                 ' Initialize pin on pin 24
  outa[LED2] := 1                 ' Light the LED on pin 25
  repeat                          ' Loop below
    blink                         ' Do Private Method blink LED
  
PRI Blink                         ' Private Method to blink LED
' !outa[LED1]                     ' Toggle state LED
  !outa[LED2]                     ' Toggle state - Light the LED on pin 25
  waitCnt(delay+cnt)              ' Delay