Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

Including resources for PIC, Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Android

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Interfacing to microcontrollers
The Locktronics PICmicro microcontroller investigations pack is a fantastic resource that will introduce your students to interfacing microcontrollers to electronic circuits and Raspberry Pi.
This new solution allows students to investigate circuits and systems based on our Locktronics PICmicro microcontroller which has four flexible input/output pins and a USB connection for programming. The solution facilitates system construction with a preprogrammed PIC carrier which includes 8 programs, selectable by hardware switches. To start with, students build a system, select a program on the microcontroller and investigate circuit construction. The work can be extended to include programming of PICmicro microcontrollers using flow charts with the free version of our Flowcode software. The solutions includes component carriers, base board, power supply, and storage trays. Topics include:
Switch inputs Sensors and sensor circuits Digital comparators Driving transducers Output transducers DC motor speed control Open and closed loop control

USB reprogrammable PIC carrier with power leads

Ordering information LK4690L 35.00

Makes use of our USB programmable 4 input/output PICmicro carrier.

Works with the free version of Flowcode

Full suite of worksheets provided

PICmicro systems investigation pack The Microcontroller investigation pack includes a baseboard kit, power supply, Locktronics carriers, leads, storage trays and curriculum on CD ROM.

Ordering information LK8922 199.00

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Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

Formula Flowcode robot

PIC18F4455 chip Microphone control Press switch

Speaker

The Formula Flowcode maze solving robot is a great vehicle for introducing students to the principles of programming and microcontroller system development.
This robot vehicle has been designed to address the requirements of the technology education curriculum between the ages of 14 to 16. It is also used up to university level for motivation, learning and project work. The robot is great for running competitions and for activity days where you can motivate students to want to learn more about programming electronic systems in just a few hours.
A low cost, all-inclusive solution for students. Works with the free version of Flowcode. Superb technical specification. E-blocks compatible. Micromouse competiton compatible.

E-blocks expansion socket Reset switch USB socket

Distance sensor LEDs Light sensor Distance sensor Distance sensor Press switch Microphone

External 5V supply Power switch

LED

Motor driver chip

Line following circuit board

Plastic chassis with battery compartment, motors with gear boxes and 2 wheels

The two wheel Formula Flowcode robot is powered from rechargeable batteries and is supplied with a function limited version of Flowcode. Students develop the program, simulate its functionality on-screen and then download the program to the robot via USB. The robot uses an advanced PICmicro 18 series microcontroller with internal precision motor controller circuitry. It has 3 infrared distance sensors, line following sensors, a buzzer, audio level sensor, light sensor, two spare switch inputs, 8 user programmable LEDs and various expansion busses - including an E-blocks port.

Formula Flowcode robot

Ordering information HP794 HP794 (display not included) Maze walls These walls and posts are designed to allow you to create a maze of your own. Each wall measures 168 x 12 x 50mm. 30 walls and posts are included in the pack which allows you to make a 5 x 5 cell maze. 82.50

Compatible with the free version of Flowcode ( see page 6)

Free course on our web site.

Formula Flowcode starter class bundle Includes 5 Formula Flowcode kits, 1 set of maze walls, a function limited version of Flowcode, a storage tray and a 10 user version of the Introduction to microcontroller programming CD ROM. Sufficient for 10 students working in pairs.

Ordering information Maze walls HP458 66.00

Ordering information Formula Flowcode starter class bundle HP454 550.00

Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

Copyright 2013 Matrix Multimedia Limited

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E-blocks Microcontroller system development

E-blocks modules provide learners and developers with a exible suite of electronic blocks that snap together to form a wide variety of electronic systems. Programming boards and adaptors are available for a range of microcontrollers including PIC, Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

PICmicro multiprogrammer Ordering information EB006 60.00

RPi expansion board with cable Ordering information EB380 30.00 (Raspberry Pi board not included)

Arduino E-blocks shield Ordering information EB081 (Arduino board not included) 25.00

The 50 circuit boards in the E-blocks range use rugged 9-way D-type connectors as connection busses for 8 signal lines and earth. Power (3.3V or 5V) is wired separately. This allows a complete system to be assembled in a matter of minutes. You can then select from our range of sensors and accessories to enhance the systems functionality. Systems based on microcontrollers can be programmed using flowcharts, C, assembly, or anything else that generates an appropriate HEX file. A range of CD ROM and online tutorials, which include compilers, development tools and manuals, provide support to students who are new to any of these technologies. The great advantage of E-blocks in education is that they provide a very flexible set of parts for learning a range of technical disciplines and for project work. If you want to make your systems more rugged, secure them against theft, and prevent chips and links being removed, then please see our range of transparent plastic covers, backplanes and accessories on our web site.

Standard PICmicro starter pack This starter pack is designed to introduce students to microcontrollers and their operation in electronic circuits. It can also be used for more advanced courses and for project work. This starter pack provides a good understanding of fundamental programming constructs including outputs, delays, loops, inputs, decisions, LCD displays, keypads, analogue inputs, subroutines and interrupts.

Ordering information EB215 250.00

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Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

E-blocks boards and accessories

There are more than 50 circuit boards in the E-blocks range. You can see them all on our web site. Here is a selection of boards you might be interested in using with your PIC, Arduino or Raspberry Pi systems:
EB002 E-blocks Terminal board 13.20 EB016 E-blocks Prototype board 17.60

Allows connection to all 8 pins of a standard E-blocks port with bare wires by using screw terminals.

Contains a small prototype board for developing circuits and projects. Connectors for two E-blocks ports allow prototype wires and leads to be connected to the prototype board.

EB003

E-blocks Sensor interface

19.80

EB022

E-blocks Motors board

55.20

Contains a variable resistor and a light sensor for simple analogue experiments, as well as sockets which allow users to interface to our range of sensors.

This board is based on the L298 device which can drive two motors operating from up to 46V at up to 4A each. The board can be used in a variety of motor control configurations.

EB004

E-blocks LED board

13.20

EB070

E-blocks Test pod

150.00

Has 8 LEDs which show the status of each bit on the port. Upstream and downstream E-blocks connectors allow this board to be used in bus configurations.

The loop through E-blocks test pod allows you to analyse up to 8 digital signals. The test pod decodes I2C, SPI, Async, USB, CAN, 1-Wire, PS/2, SMBus and other serial communications buses.

EB005

E-blocks LCD board

22.00

EB024

E-blocks Bluetooth board

108.90

Contains a 16 character, 2 line alphanumeric LCD display on a 5 wire serial bus.

The Bluetooth board allows you to add Bluetooth capability to any microcontroller with UART functionality.

EB007

E-blocks Switch board

13.20

EB038

E-blocks Relay board

33.00

This board contains 8 push-to-make switches. Upstream and downstream E-blocks connectors allow this board to be used in a bus configuration.

This board contains 4 relays (choose high or low nibble) each rated at 250V and 6A. This is ideal for building PLC type applications.

EB008

E-blocks Dual 7- segment board

17.60

EB056

E-blocks GPS board

77.00

Has a quad 7-segment common anode display with anodes controlled via one port and cathodes controlled by the other.

Includes a UP500 GPS module from Fastrax. Once an initial position has been acquired, the GPS receiver continues to send position information directly to the microcontroller.

EB011

E-blocks Power board

35.20

EB066

E-blocks GSM board

120.00

Contains two L293 quad push pull driver chips which provide power outputs for driving lamps or motors. The board supplies 8 outputs which sink or source 500mA at up to 36V.

Comes complete with a SIM card socket and a small antenna. It is fitted with 2.5mm jack sockets for microphone and headphone use.

EB014

E-blocks Keypad board

16.50

EB059

E-blocks Servo board

12.00

A simple 4 x 3 keypad that allows data entry into bus based systems.

Allows up to 8 servo motors to be connected to an E-blocks systems for use with the Flowcode Servo component.

To see our full range of more than 50 E-blocks boards please see our web site. Microcontroller resources for Computer Science
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Flowcode
Flowcode is a graphical programming tool that allows those with little experience to develop complex electronic systems in minutes.
Flowcode 5 is one of the Worlds most advanced graphical programming languages for microcontrollers. Flowcodes graphical development interface allows students to construct a complete electronic system on-screen, develop a program based on standard flowcharts, simulate the system and then produce hex code for PICmicro microcontrollers, AVR or Arduino microcontrollers. Flowcode includes functions for a wide range of hardware elements - from simple switches and LEDs, through to more complex subsystems like CAN bus and TCP/IP web modules. Flowcode is well supported with a range of courses and applications, and is tightly integrated with the E-blocks range of hardware modules which minimise construction and development time. Flowcode is available in over 20 languages and is used by thousands of engineers and educators Worldwide.
Flowcode includes ready-made functions for all E-blocks hardware modules

1 Design
Drag and drop the flowchart icons to create a program. Click on each component to set the actions and properties you want. View the C code created, customise the C code each icon and component represents, incorporate C code from other sources.

2 Simulate
Drag and drop components onto your simulation panel. Adjust graphical properties and assign pin connections. Simulate the program and see the effects on the components and the microcontroller. Test the systems functionality by clicking on switches or altering sensor values.

3 Test
Compile and download to your system with one button click. Use the In Circuit Test feature to see your program working on-screen and on Matrix development hardware at the same time.

4 Deploy
Download your code into a microcontroller in your own circuit board and control a wide variety of systems.

Ordering information PICmicro Single 10 user 50 user TEFLCSI5 TEFLC105 TEFLCSL5 AVR / Arduino TEVRSI5 TEVR105 TEVRSL5 199.00 599.00 999.00

For more information on Flowcode please see the Flowcode 5 data sheet available on the Matrix Multimedia website.

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Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

Robot slave
The Formula Flowcode robot is compable with both our Bluetooth and Wi-Fi boards which allows the robot to be controlled wirelessly from a Raspberry Pi, and Android handset or a PC.
This is great for the classroom. Students using Raspberry Pi's or Android devices can take it in turns to use the Formula Flowcode robot without making any connections to the Pi's themselves.
HP794 EB005 EB024 EB069 Formula Flowcode robot LCD board Bluetooth board Wireless LAN board 83.00 22.00 109.00 100.00

To interface your system to the MIAC or Formula Flowcode using wired or wireless communication protocols you will need to write a small program using Flowcode and download it to your device. Dont be daunted by this: the systems are well documented and there is plenty of Information on how to do this included on our web site. If you get stuck just post a question on our Forum and we will give you a little help.

Raspberry Pi mobile phone

If you want to turn your Raspberry Pi into a fully working mobile phone then all you need is a Pi to E-blocks interface board, a Keypad and a GSM board (SIM card not supplied).
If you want to challenge and motivate your students then ask them to turn their Pi into a mobile phone. Students can build a program to get a number into an array using the keypad. Then get your students to write a program to send a sequence of RS232 commands to the GSM module to make a call. You might need an E-blocks test pod (page 5) to make sure you are sending the right RS232 commands.
EB380 EB014 EB066 HP347 Raspberry Pi interface board and cable Keypad GSM board Headphone/microphone 30.00 14.00 120.00 11.00

Controller slave
If you are looking for a general purpose electrically and mechanically rugged input/output device for your projects then our MIAC will t the bill. The MIAC is a rugged PICmicro microcontroller with 4 analogue or digital inputs, 4 relays, 4 motor outputs, keypad, LCD and a USB connecon.
MIAC is compatible with a range of expansion modules that allows it to communicate with any system using Bluetooth, the Internet, I2C, RS232 or SPI bus. You have lots of choices here: you can use the MIAC as a slave over USB using the DLL we supply, you can use the Internet module and use it as a slave over your Ethernet as a shared class resource, or you could use Bluetooth, I2C, SPI, RS232, CAN bus etc.
MI0235 MI3486 MI4823 MI4855 EB069 MIAC Advanced I2C, SPI, module Internet/RS485 module Bluetooth module Wireless LAN board 132.00 115.00 180.00 170.00 100.00

Microcontroller resources for Computer Science

Copyright 2013 Matrix Multimedia Limited

www.matrixmultimedia.com

Training

Matrix is establishing a network of advisors and trainers across the UK who can help you to understand microcontrollers and deliver a rich and motivating Computer Science curriculum. If you would like training on any of our products then please get in touch.

Also available: Locktronics, E-blocks & Automatics catalogues

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Resources for Computer Science