■ HARDWARE ■ SOFTWARE ■ GADGETS ■ TOOLS
PROPELLER
CONTROL
BOARD
The Propeller
Control
Board from
Parallax is a
complete solution for controlling
robotics platforms. This is the same
control board that ships with their
QuadRover robot. The Propeller
Control Board is capable of
interfacing directly with the Parallax
GPS module, the Hitachi HM55B
compass module, and the Hitachi
H48C three-axis accelerometer. This
provides options for tracking position,
heading, and acceleration for robotic
applications.
Twelve of the Propeller I/O pins
are brought out for customer
interfacing and control applications;
eight are dedicated to servo control;
and eight are dedicated to N-Channel
MOSFET outputs, providing high-current drivers for solenoids or other
high-current devices. There is a
magento-pickup compatible
tachometer input which can be used
for measuring the RPM of gasoline
engines. The power switch allows
you to turn all power off, only the
Propeller on, or the Propeller and
servos on. There is also a reset
button for the Propeller chip. A
socketed 5 MHz crystal is included.
Price is $195.99.
For more information, contact:
Parallax, Inc.
Web: www.parallax.com
PICOSCOPE
4000 SERIES
The new oscilloscopes from Pico
Technology are available with
either two or four channels and are
suitable for general, scientific, and
field-service use. Their 12-bit
resolution (adjustable up to 16 bits
in enhanced resolution mode) and
1% accuracy make them an excellent
choice for noise, vibration and
mechanical analysis. A well-matched
combination of a 20 MHz analog
bandwidth and 80 MS/s real time
sampling rate allows them to sample
high-frequency analog and digital
waveforms. Input ranges from ± 50
mV to ±100 V full-scale ensure that
the scopes can handle small signals
from sensors, as well as higher
voltages from power supply circuits
and motor drives. Another benefit is
the 32M sample memory which
allows the scopes to capture over
400 milliseconds of data at the
maximum sampling rate. “Unlike
some scopes that slow down when
using deep memory,” explains
Managing Director Alan Tong, “the
PicoScope 4000 Series always
operates with a fast display update
rate. There is never a compromise
between memory depth and
performance.” Despite these
impressive specifications, the new
scopes are powered by nothing more
than a standard USB 2.0 port, so no
batteries, mains adapter, or interface
card are required.
The PicoScope 4000 Series
oscilloscopes include the PicoScope
6 software for Windows PCs, which
gives you the benefits of your PC’s
processing power, storage, graphics
and networking capabilities. The user
interface is easy for novices to learn,
but professional users will find many
advanced features and options
including spectrum analysis,
persistence display, automatic
measurements, advanced triggers, and
channel maths. Users can download
software updates, feature extensions,
and improvements free of charge
with no time limit. They can also
contact Pico’s technical specialists for
support by web, email, phone, or
Skype. PicoScope 6 can save
waveform data in a range of text and
binary formats including CSV, PNG,
BMP, and MATLAB, ready for export
to other applications. An API and
examples are included for LabVIEW,
C, C++, Delphi, and Visual Basic for
integration into users’ own software.
For more information, contact:
Pico Technology
Web: www.picotech.com
