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.