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I’ve just completed the 2nd H-Bridge circuit to command the DC motor. Since my time is short I decided to make the circuit on a test PCB board. I’m also a little rusty on the PCB software (Protel or Eagle - no more Orcad for me, I’ve had my share!). I’ve done better circuits, but this works and I’m good with that!

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It’s been quite a while !!! I have finally dropped all my extra-projects to take good care of my botdream.com.

Still need to finish the 2nd H-Bridge circuit to power up the DC motors. Next I will need to create the hardware interface between PC and modules (H-Bridge 1 and 2, temperature, distance sensor, etc). For that I will use a Microchip PIC 16F628A that will connect to the PC Serial port to communicate with applications and by the other side to an I2C BUS that is connected to the modules!

I’m currently moving from town and need to settle down before I can restart this project … sorry about this! I have also a lot of work to develop and no time left for my hobby. I’ll be back as soon as possible!

Now that the robot’s PC is operational I’ve decided to start with the H-Bridge hardware to drive DC motors that is controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal. Still need to make the interface between H-Bridge and PC, but at least I can check first if everything is going has it should. And I’m glad i did!

It seems that the extra battery that I’ve installed to drive the motors (6VDC 4.5Ah) is not working properly with the H-Bridge that I’ve implemented from H-Bridge Circuit.

(I’ve used this circuit because is simple to implement, cheap and controlled by Pulse Width Modulation signal, quite easy to control when using Microchip PIC)

This bridge uses Darlingtons transistors and will have some losses between 2 to 4VDC at maximum current. Since DC motors need 6VDC and my battery is 6VDC less 4VDCmax from circuit losses, I can’t use this circuit to drive the motors. I need to use MOSFET based H-Bridge … Continue reading »

As previously mentioned (Project Description), I’ve decided to install Microsoft Windows 2000 to control the CPU because It’s easy for me to develop custom software on this platform. Also from ‘robot vision’ perspective it’s more simple to grab web-cam video stream directly to be analysed for that same custom application, since I’m a Borland Builder C++ developer and at this moment I have all the necessary tools to do the job!

Really like Linux environment, but at this moment I’m not familiar with the system ‘development wise’. Sure that my next botdream version will consider Linux has my first choice!

Necessary steps to install O.S.

I’ve attached one temporary CDROM into the 2nd IDE channel only to install windows 2000. Removed it after windows installation was completed. Installed the wireless network communication module on one PCI slot (forgot to copy the drivers! copied them into a USB pen drive). After successful configuration of the wireless card, managed to access the Internet. Installed all the Internet updates. Installed and configured SSH for console remote access. Installed UltraVNC for remote access. Configured PC BIOS and removed ‘keyboard not found’ error from boot test. PC is now ready to boot with no external dependency. Finally installed the web-cam.

PSU, CPU, Wireless card, web-cam USB and fan cooling system is now in place. Also mounted a fuse to the main power supply line 12VDC.

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The robot base is now starting to look nice:

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Robot acrylic base started to be assembled:

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PC powered by Intel Celeron working at 633Mhz, with 256Mb of Ram will be used to stream web-cam feed to the Internet and also to run applications that will automate the robot in the future. Continue reading »