Open-Source Robotics And Process Control Cookbook : Designing And Building Robust Dependable Real-Time Systems

In this practical reference, popular author Lewin Edwards shows how to develop robust, dependable real-time systems for robotics and other control applications, using open-source tools. It demonstrates efficient and low-cost embedded hardware and software design techniques, based on Linux as the development platform and operating system and the Atmel AVR as the primary microcontroller. The book provides comprehensive examples of sensor, actuator and control applications and circuits, along with source code for a number of projects. It walks the reader through the process of setting up the Linux-based controller, from creating a custom kernel to customizing the BIOS, to implementing graphical control interfaces.

Including detailed design information on:
· ESBUS PC-host interface
· Host-module communications protocol
· A speed-controlled DC motor with tach feedback and thermal cut-off
· A stepper motor controller
· A two-axis attitude sensor using a MEMS accelerometer
· Infrared remote control in Linux using LIRC
· Machine vision using Video4Linux

The Accompanying CD-ROM contains a wealth of design materials, including:
· Full schematics and source code for the projects described
· Ready-made disk images for the miniature Linux distribution uses as the basis for the PC-side software
· Distribution archives of source code for all GNU software used, along with application-specific patches where appropriate
· A free version of the schematic capture and PCB CAD software used
· Atmel AVR Studio

* The first-ever book on using open source technology for robotics design!

* Immensely valuable source code and design tools provided on the CD-ROM

* Covers hot topics such as GPS navigation, 3-D sensing, and machine vision, all using a Linux platform!

With recent powerful developments in processor and sensor technology, robotics and the closely related field of process control systems are experiencing rapid growth and attracting many new hardware and software engineers. There is particular interest in using open source tools for these applications, with many companies, universities and laboratories desiring to build sophisticated systems without having to purchase an expensive real-time operating system (RTOS). Practical, authoritative information on this subject is scattered and difficult to find. In this comprehensive guide, experienced embedded engineer and author Lewin Edwards demonstrates efficient and low-cost open source design techniques, covering end-to-end robotic/process control systems using Linux as the development platform (and also as the embedded operating system), with extensive information on free compilers and other tools. Specifically the book targets development of real-time physical system controls using Atmel AVR microcontrollers communicating with Linux-based PCs for overmonitoring. It also covers open-source tools for other controllers, including MSP430, PIC and 8051. Code examples are given to provide concrete illustrations of tasks described in the text. The accompanying CD-ROM contains all the code used in the design examples as well as useful open-source tools for robotics and process control system design.

The book includes:

* schematics, PCB layouts and firmware source code for various sensors and servo/stepper/propulsion motor controllers, with theory of operation text.
* discussion of navigation mathematics (GPS) and example code and circuits.
* discussion of 3D attitude sensing using MEMS accelerometers.
* techniques for designing reliable systems, including watchdogs, avoidance of race conditions, and identifying when it's time to offload functionality onto slave processors
* documented sourcecode (with theory-of-operation) for sample overmonitoring applications, both for testing the sensor/controller modules and for complete process monitoring. (To take a trivial example, documenting how to build a system that monitors four thermal sensors with onscreen thermometers, logs the temperature over time, and
emails a supervisor's pager if any of the temperatures go out of range.)
* a brief introduction to machine vision, including simple ways to capture images,
differentiating the image for edge detection, and simple shape recognition.

*The first-ever book on using open source technology for robotics design!

*Immensely valuable source code and design tools provided on the CD-ROM

*Covers hot topics such as GPS navigation, 3-D sensing, and machine vision, all using a Linux platform!