Preface

The book you are about to read is a practical microcontroller and robotics handbook that in the hope of the authors will help to build intelligent microcontroller-based solutions and popularize the engineering profession among young people. The book is oriented to schools and universities, but can also be used for hobbyist and companies who are planning to use AVR microcontrollers in their projects. The target group includes both teachers as well as learners by helping to get fast results for both of them: for the learner to get new knowledge and for teachers to make their life easier when trying to present a new subject for learners :)

Platform

The selected base platform for the practical examples is AVR ATmega128 microcontroller-based Robotic HomeLab Kit. AVR is one of the most widely used microcontrollers besides Microchip PIC amongst the hobby robotic community and is very suitable for educational purposes.

The book is logically divided into five sections:

1. section is giving a fast introduction to the most simple electronic fundamentals and calculations. These formulas are very useful for several practical exercises. Also the C-language is briefly covered and some simple examples are given.

2. section gives an overview of 8-bit AVR microcontroller by using the ATmega128 as an example. The section relays basically on the ATmega datasheet but simplifies and presents the information in more friendly way. This is a general microcontroller basic function description.

3. section introduces the hardware and software platform which is developed for the educational use and is a base platform of the next chapter examples. Special software library is developed for most common functions. The user can concentrate on the program logic instead of working with the registers in deep. Both Windows and Linux operation systems are supported.

4. section consists of practical examples together with exercises. Examples are divided into labs by covering the most common electromechanical devices and functions. Every chapter has short theory background description and practical example which enables to run the function immediately by coping the program into the controller. Every exercise group (lab) has exercises in the end of sub-chapter together with questions. Exercises are divided for beginners and for advanced users, in a way giving the selection according to the learners skills. For better understanding the chapters are provided by the references to the theoretical section.

5. section is giving tips for doing the teamwork. The section illustrates how to present the solution developed as a teamwork and how to write the report. The topics are highlighted and commented which should be included into the team report. The example project is also introduced to give a pattern for compiling the concise report.

We hope that the book is a assistant for young and senior microcontroller and robotic enthusiast and will bring more people closer to the technology.

Snowy and cold Tallinn, January 2010

Raivo Sell