(Hebrew Follows)
Submitted by: Michael Bernstein, Final Project at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, AFEKA - Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering
Advisor: Ph.D. Naum Kogan, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University
Abstract:
Project goal:
To make a research in the field of educational engineering, which target is to show effective methods of understanding Bluetooth wireless communication aspects (such as programming devices, protocol, applications, practice) and using gathered data by implementing it in creation of Bluetooth remotely controlled programmable robotic system. The Solution:
After detailed research for existing alternative solutions it was decided to use Lego Mindstorms NXT educational kit. A programmable microcontroller of this kit is equipped with Bluetooth device and most suitable for project needs. Additional components are provided, such as sensors, wheels, Lego parts, graphical programming software by National Instruments and worldwide acknowledgement of engineering community, which offers a lot of NXT-oriented materials, sources and solutions over the internet. Performance Manner: A PC station equipped with Bluetooth adapter (USB dongle or build-in Bluetooth radio unit) is running controlling software (National Instruments Labview 8.2) which establishes Bluetooth link to a robotic vehicle carrying Lego ARM7 microcontroller. An operator is granted a full control of vehicle’s movement through control monitor. Additional information is also displayed, such as a distance in cm from the obstacle ahead of robot (data from ultrasonic sensor), battery level of the robot and Bluetooth connection indicator. Simultaneously, a resident program is running in robot’s microcontroller, which “remain idle” status is constantly confirmed by incoming Bluetooth message from the control station. When ever connection is terminated, a resident program performs an explorer algorithm, simulating an independent mode of operation, which protects robot from running into obstacles until connection is re-established. Summary:
Project shows in practice many important issues in electrical and electronics engineering. It involves programming techniques, understanding communication protocol, system modelling, control issues and trains engineering abilities of mastering a new system through advanced self learning Software:
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Graphical programming software (NXT-G) powered by NI Labview. National Instruments Labview Professional 8.2 Labview Toolkit for Lego Mindstorms NXT Hardware:
32-bit ARM7 Lego microcontroller Touch and ultrasonic Lego sensors PC station USB Bluetooth adaptor
Keywords: Bluetooth, Lego, NXT, Labview, communication, control, sensor, programming, robot
