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Julkinen työtila Latest text of pad hacklab-flowbits Tallennettu Elokuu 31, 2011

 
     
Flowbits - rectangular blocks that can be connected together to form circuits.
 
(TODO: Better name?)
 
Basic concepts
  • Blocks attach to each other with magnets.  Power lines are on top of magnets.
  • There is one power block that supplies power.
  • The signal is transmitted digitally between each block (using IR light).
  • Each block typically has one output signal that it broadcasts to all neighbors, and uses the neighbors output signals for some of its parameters.
  • There is one generic computational block that can be set to different modes / functions.
  • There might also be other types of blocks eventually¸ e.g. sensor blocks, motor blocks, tentacle blocks, light driver blocks, wall power remote control blocks, etc..
  • Dimensions of block probably around 7x7 to 8x8 cm, leaves room for 4xAA battery case and fits nicely in hand.
  • Rectangular grid allows for double sized or odd sized blocks too (e.g. one to two octave piano keyboard block).
 
Blocks
 
Powerblock
  • 4xAA battery holder
  • DC 5V input jack
  • PWM output drivers x 6 (one for each edge, encode value to 0..full output cycle)
  • Servo outputs x 6 (one for each edge, encode incoming edge value to servo position
  • (Power switch)
  • Builtin speaker would be nice too.
 
Sensor Block
  •  
 
 
General computation block
  • ATMega microcontroller, 4 RGB leds, potentiometer for navigation and parameter adjustment, 4 clickable edges, 2x7 segment led screen
  • Each mode has a number of parameters, whose values can be set with the rotating wheel to a specific value, or to the (average) value of specified neighbor output(s), or maybe to more complex functions (simple signal / noise generators)
  • Available modes (followed by parameters for the mode):
  • Signal generator
  • Waveform
  • Sine, Square, Sawtooth, etc
  • Frequency
  • Amplitude
  • Noise generator
  • Sequencer
  • Random melody / sequence generator
  • Mixer
  • Filter
  • Delay filter (echo, reverb, etc effects)
  • RGB signal visualizator
  • Neural network / game of life nodes (4 of them, one for each side)
  • etc
 
Part list (for general computation block):
  • Rotary encoder x1
  • 10 pcs: 0.93900 / a
  • Microcontroller x1 
  • ATMega 328 PU
  • 3.05  (25 pieces: 1.91 / a)
  • or AT90USB162 (builtin usb support, surface mount)
  • 2.88 (25 pieces: 1.8 / a)
  • Resonator 16 Mhz x1
  • Digikey
  • 10 pcs: 0.399 / a
  • Futurlec
  • 0.2 / a
  • Capacitors x2
  • Filter caps for microcontroller
  • (Close to zero, already have)
  • Power cap for scratchy contact
  • 47uF or similar electrolyte
  • Protection diode for power polarity
  • ~0.5 - 1 A @ 6V
  • Resistors
  • Series resistors for RGB lights, LED segment display..
  • LED Segment display: 14 (or 16) resistors
  • RGB Leds: 12 resistors
  • Maybe use resistor networks for saved space and improved sanity
  • Resistor network, 7 resitors, 8 pin, 220 Ohm: (maybe a bit too expensive)
  • Digikey
  • 0.25 / a when 50+
  • Futurlec
  • 220ohm 9 Resistor Network (10 pins)  
  • 0.25 / a 
  • Combination resistors for tilt switch, 4 of different unique values (high accuracy, we'll get 16 different values that we need to differentiate after A/D)
  • IR Leds, 940 nm, 3mm x4
  • Digikey
  • 0.11 / a when 25+
  • Futurlec
  • 0.13 / a when 25+
  • IR transistors 940nm x4
  • Digikey
  • 0.21 / a when 10+
  • Futurlec
  • 0.15 a
  • RGB Leds, common anode, diffuse x4
  • 0.25 / a from ebay seller for 100+
  • Tactile swithces x 4
  • 0.056 / a when 50+
  • LED Dual 7 Segment screen x1 
  • Futurlec
  • 0.75 / a when under 25
  • Magnets x 8
  • 0.144 / a when 100+
  • Tilattu
  • Plastic cover material - diffuse, translucent white or darker plastic, preferably something not as brittle as acrylic
  • Plastic case, 3D printed?
  • PCB (smaller than total footprint)
  • Programming header?
  • Shift register, 74HC595 x2
  • Through hole
  • $0.5
  • $0.42 when 25+
  • $0.35 when 100+
  • SMD version (SOIC)
  • $0.15
 
 
Parts to be ordered from three sources, digikey, futurlec, and dealextreme + 3D printed case.  Maybe ponocos german partner for a lasercut top surface ~2€ /a when ordering 25.
 
Cost: 8.86 + case plastic, pcb etc -> ~10$(+)
 
TODO: LEDs need sources and sink capable of driving them, atmega only supports max 25-30mA per pin, and max 110mA total.
 
Need 4 sinks for
  • 3 RGB channels
  • 1 x 4 IR sender leds (one channel) (could also be source-driven)
 
Need 6 sources for
  • 2 (or 3) led segment displays (selecting character to light up)
  • 4 RGB Leds, for selecting directions to light up
 
 
 
7 darlington transistors sink
  • $0.3 / a for 25+
  • $0.26 / a for 25+
 
Single PNP transistor
  • 0.6A, 500mW dissipation, high gain.
  • $0.04 / a for 100+
  • Most widely used, so use this by default
  • $0.04 / a for 100+
  • $0.04 / a for 100+
 
We have two reels (~4k pcs) of PNP SMD transistors (100mA) at the lab.
 
 
Single NPN sink transistor
  • ~$0.04 / a for 100+
  • Not very common, but available from futurlec.  Substitutable with any NPN transistor with hfe > 100, voltage 20+, and currect handling of more than 500mA
 
 
metal strip for holding magnets (thin copper?)
  • or trap them in a wire loop?
 
-> About $0.05 per source or sink -> + $0.5