The updated and revised schematic shows additions including a peizo speaker and LED on each core. BASIC Stamp One Boards are now used, and for running tests with new parallel projects, TINY BUS is added. This creates a total of six parallel lines for data communications.
MINUSCULE STAMP SUPERCOMPUTER
Demonstration of basic principles to take some characteristics of a supercomputer, in particular the notion of larger multiples of relatively simple processors communicating over a common bus, each doing a portion of a task in parallel
Build a Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
Pump up the array with your BS1 stamp collection! This is a preview of the new Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer, comprised of only two BS1 boards. It’s main purpose is for testing various software in developing the Stamp SEED Supercomputer, without the need to load ten programs into ten processors. The two core Minuscule needs no tower and the boards can set next to each other on a desk next to the PC. The provided transmitter and receiver software is minuscule and serially enables one core to text communicate with the other at 2400 baud. The application is included with the Stamp SEED Supercomputer because most of the applications, principles and programming are the same. Plus, the Minuscule has no manual, so it gets its own featured space.
Introducing the Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer! It’s a perfect example of multiple BS1 boards connected together for sending and receiving serial signals (text) according to the transmit and receive programs listed below. The 2X boards chosen for this Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer, MSS, include the Carrier Board with a BS1-IC Basic Stamp Module, and the Stamp 1 Project Board Rev. B. Both boards are programmed through the PC’s USB port using Parallax adapters, a BS1 Serial Adapter, and a USBto232 adapter.
The MSS Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer has two BASIC stamp 1 boards networked together, and creates a very small parallel processing machine. The primary purpose is for rapid development of software and hardware testing where only two cores are required. The MSS was a vital tool in developing programs for the SEED BASIC Stamp Supercomputer and it stands on its own as a Stamp super computing machine.
Each board has an output LED for a display and a piezo speaker for sound prompting, signaling and debugging. Wiring is a one line interface and both processors compute in parallel.
New Schematic & Upgrade
Create a BS1 array with multiple cores designed for testing Stamp supercomputer designs. Instead of one data line, six are now possible. The entire port array is now filled and dedicated to processing. This opens up numerous options for testing parallel computing and communications. Programming apps can also be tested and developed in simple forms i.e. with two paralleled twin processors. The Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer is upgraded to a Parallel Computing Machine. This is the first upgrade posted since project thread inception on July-6-2009. Primarily this upgrades satisfies several conditions for testing the UltraSpark 40 Propeller-based Parallel Computing Machine, and series, found in the link. It has paved the way for the development of the Propeller powered Big Brain with over 100,000 processors.
Specs for One Stamp
Processor Speed: 4 MHz
Program Execution Speed: ~2,000 instructions/sec.
RAM Size: 16 Bytes (2 I/O, 14 Variable)
EEPROM (Program) Size: 256 Bytes ~80 instructions
Number of I/O Pins: 8
PBASIC Commands = 32
Specs for Two Stamps Minuscule
Processor Speed: 8 MHz
Program Execution Speed: ~4,000 instructions/sec.
RAM Size: 32 Bytes (4 I/O, 28 Variable)
EEPROM (Program) Size: 512 Bytes ~160 instructions
Number of I/O Pins: 16
PBASIC Commands = 32
Communication: Serial
Interface: One Wire
Initially there was no schematic for the MSS because the connections are so simple. Just follow the chart below using two BS1 boards and some wire leads. The only component required is a 1K ohm resistor.
vss - vss vdd - vdd vin - vin pin0 - pin0
vss to 1K R to pin 0 (inverted)
' {$STAMP BS1} ' Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
' {$PBASIC 1.0} ' Serial Transmitter – Send a Text Character
PAUSE 5000 ' Load into computer 1
SEROUT 0, ON2400, ("g",10,13) ' Transmit a text character + CR + LF
END ' Quit
' {$STAMP BS1} ' Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
' {$PBASIC 1.0} ' Serial Receiver – Receive a Text Character
SYMBOL x = B0 ' Load into computer 2
SERIN 0,N2400, x ' Receive one text character
DEBUG #@x ' Show text on the debug screen
END ' Quit
Here's what Parallax says about the BS1 Engine
www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/CategoryID/9/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/3/Default.aspx
It's amazing what you can accomplish with this well-proven microcontroller and its simple PBASIC 1 language. All vital components (processor, clock source, memory, power regulator) are provided on the BS1's tiny PCB; just connect power and go! BASIC Stamp 1 Project Board (#27112) Development / Education Platform for the BASIC Stamp 1 Introduction- When the BASIC Stamp 1 was introduced 10 years ago nobody could foresee the impact this ingenious little controller would have on the electronics world; at both the hobbyist and professional levels. The original BASIC Stamp 1 (BS1) and its big brothers, the BASIC Stamp 2 family, have sold millions of units all over the world, and into every application and industry one can imagine. The BASIC Stamp 1 has been used for years in award-winning Science Fair projects, in industry, in hobbyist and professional robotics, in television and motion picture props and special effects the BS1 has a long and illustrious track record you're in very good company when you choose it. The BS1 Project Board is a low-cost reintroduction of the original BASIC Stamp in a HomeWork Board type platform that has become a standard for students, hobbyists, and even professional engineers. The board includes everything you need to get started with microcontroller applications at minimal expense just add your external circuits, code, and imagination.
BASIC Stamp 1 Project Board
www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampDevelopmentBoards/tabid/137/CategoryID/12/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/119/Default.aspx
For students, hobbyists, and professionals who desire the small form and features of the BASIC Stamp® 1 microcontroller, but need a development platform in the mold of the Parallax Board Of Education and HomeWork boards; the BASIC Stamp 1 Project Board is low-cost solution that is sure to fit the bill. The BS1 Project Board consists of a surface-mounted BASIC Stamp 1 on a 3 1/4" x 2 1/2" (8.3 x 6.4 cm) printed circuit board. The board includes a 9V battery clip, a mechanically interlocked 2.1 mm power jack, DB-9 connector for programming, and LM2936 regulator providing 40 mA for your projects.
* Red LED power indicator with On/Off Switch
* Mechanically interlocked power supply, prevent dual connection of wall-pack/9-volt battery
* DB9 connector for BS1-IC programming and serial communication during run-time.
* 0 – P7 I/O pins, Vin, Vdd and Vss connections brought adjacent to prototyping area
* Includes 1 3/8" x 2" (5.1 x 3.5 cm) solderless breadboard
* 220 Ω resisitors on all I/O pins for protection
* Power Requirements: 5.5 to 15 VDC
* Communication: Serial for Programming (default to 2400 baud)
* Dimensions: 4.00 x 3.05 in (102 x 77 mm)
* Operating Temperature: +32 to +185 °F (0 to 70 °C)
BASIC Stamp 1 Project Board Technical Specifications
Microcontroller - Microchip PIC16C56A
Speed - 4 MHz
Program Execution Speed - ~2,000 instructions per second
EEPROM Size - 256 bytes (93LC56)
Program Length - ~80 instructions
Inputs / Outputs - 8
Source / Sink Current per I/O - 20 mA / 25 mA
Source / Sink Current (device) - 40 mA / 50 mA
Power Consumption - 7 mA running (no loads); 5 mA Sleep (Rev B) 1
PC Interface - Serial, 4800 baud (programming and DEBUG)
Editor (Windows only) - STAMPW.EXE (Version 2.1 or higher)
Power Supply - 6 15 volts DC (2.1 mm, center-positive), or 9-volt battery
PCB Size - 31/4" x 21/2" (with 1/8" corner mounting holes)
Project Area - 13/8" x 2" solderless breadboard or through-hole mounting pads 2
1. Rev B boards - the power LED remains illuminated when the BASIC Stamp is in sleep mode
2. Not all pads are available for general-purpose use
Additional Resources
The following materials are available for download from www.parallax.com:
* BASIC Stamp Programming Manual (Downloads Documentation)
* BASIC Stamp 1 Applications Notes (Downloads Documentation)
* Nuts & Volts "Stamp Applications"
* The Elements of PBASIC Style
STAMP AI SOFTWARE
There is a possibility of creating a Minuscule version of Stamp AI. Let me know if you'd like to see artificial intelligence on two Stamp computers.
SPIN OFF PROJECT
A spin-off of this project is a tiny tester for parallel computing machines.
LINKS
Stamp SEED Supercomputer
Basic Stamp Supercomputer
TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
Tiny Stamp Supercomputer
Penguin with 12 Brains
BASIC Stamp Supercomputing Book
Three Dimensional Computer
StampOne News!
Penguin Tech
Penguin Robot Society
Humanoid Toddler Robot
Ultimate List Prop Languages
Prop-a-Lot *Propalot Stuff
Prop SC Computer
Prop Skyscraper
Hobby Space Program
Note: Some links may need updating using the converter (see link below)
Smart BoeBothttp://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=6&m=469004
Multiprop Project List
http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=25&m=472019
Tiny Tester for Developing Parallel Algorithms
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/124433-Tiny-Tester-for-Developing-Parallel-Algorithms?p=927796#post927796
Link Converter
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/126151-Forum-URL-Converter?p=943996#post943996
UltraSpark 40
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=921524