Introduction to Robotics Using the Mindstorm EV3 ... - Google Sites

Introduction to Robotics Using the Mindstorm EV3 Robot Software

Software options ●

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LEGO EV3 software (free or buy) –

Based on LabView (proprietary)

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graphical

LeJOS (free) –

Java language for on-brick & remote programming

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Text based language

RobotC (buy) –

C style language (proprietary)

Mindstorm Software

Connecting the EV3 ●

USB

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Upload programs

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Bluetooth

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Real-time monitoring

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WiFi (dongle needed)

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Sensors

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programs

Firmware ●

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Sits in between the hardware and your programs. Upgrades provide new features or fixes bugs Latest 1.09E

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Ensure battery full before you update It takes about 5 minutes to complete the update

Firmware ●

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Sometimes the updater fails. The robot will be put into a special firmware update mode, but the update won’t start. Follow the instructions on the screen and it ‘should’ proceed normally.

Real-time monitoring (while connected)

Projects & Programs

Downloading to EV3 ●

Download –

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Download & run –

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Upload to EV3 Upload to EV3 and start immediately

Run selected blocks –

Upload only selected blocks and run immediately.

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Good for debugging

Action Blocks ●

M-motor

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Display

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L-motor

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Sound

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Steering (both motors)

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LEDs on front

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Tank (both motors)

Flow Blocks ●

Start thread

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Switch

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Wait

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Interrupt loop

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Loop

Sensor blocks ●

Buttons on front

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Timer

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Colour/Light

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Touch (button)

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Gyro

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Ultrasonic

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Infrared

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Energy meter

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Rotation (motor)

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NXT sound

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Temperature

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Use NXT sensors with the EV3

Data Blocks ●

Variable

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Round

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Constant

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Compare

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Array

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Range

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Logic (true or false)

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Text

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Math block

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Random

Advanced Blocks ●

File access

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Raw sensor value

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Data logging

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Unregulated motor

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Messaging

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Invert motor

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Bluetooth

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Stop

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Keep awake

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comment

My Blocks ●

Create your own blocks –

Calibration block

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Small functions that can be added to programs

Motor Block ●

Rotation type – –

On/off On for: ●

Time, degrees, rotations

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Motor ID

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Power level

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Time/degrees/rotations

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What to do at end –

Stop or coast

Loop Block ●

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Whatever blocks are inside, will be run. Give the loop a name The blocks inside will run UNTIL: –

Sensor, timer, count, logic, or

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For infinity (default)

Switch Block ●

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Make a decision –

Is it black, or white?

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Is it closer or further?

Whichever statement is true: –

Do the blocks on that line

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Then continue after the switch

Sensor Blocks ●

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Configuration options –

Distance units

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Colour or light levels

Output is a ‘wire’ that will feed into another block.

Wires Connecting Blocks ●

Using wires to display the distance measured by the Ultrasonic Sensor