Subject:
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Converting the (MS)2 from 6 to 10 outputs... Aide?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 14 Sep 2000 05:28:15 GMT
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Viewed:
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945 times
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I've been thinking of upgrading my (MS)2 Expander from it's current 6
ports to 10 ports.
For those of you that aren't familiar with the (MS)2 Expander you can
look here:
http://www.akasa.bc.ca/tfm/lego_ms2.html
Basically the (MS)2 gives you two banks of 3 outputs.
Each bank is independent and can be used to switch outputs or inputs.
(Like switching from a Light Sensor to a Temp sensor etc.)
You can team up two (MS)2 Expanders to have two banks of Outputs and
Inputs or control a second RCX's inputs/outputs etc.
I've recently been thinking of ways to improve the number of ports
available.
I've come up with two solutions.
1. Use one of the input sensors on 'Active' & 'Passive' to toggle a
fifth Relay inside the device to switch between 4 Port Switching Relays
inside. You would then have the following Ports on each bank.
Port Input (From RCX)
Default
Forward
Backwards
Forwards & Sensor On
Backwards & Sensor On
Times that by two for the two banks and you have 10 for a cost of 1
Input and 1 Output.
This is easy enough to do but does use yet another valuable port.
2. The second way requires a small circuit to monitor The Trigger
Output's Power Level. (I require some aide from some advanced chip
guru.)
It works exactly the same as option 1. BUT instead of using a Sensor
port to trip the 5th relay it has a circuit that can detect the
'pulsing' of the output port. If I remember correctly max power on the
output port has no pulse delay. It's steady. Level MAX - 1 or MAX - 2
should give a nice steady pulse without causing the relays to 'chatter'.
(A capacitor could be used to eliminate 'chatter' if it did become a
problem. The Trigger Output would also power the unit so as not to
require batteries. This would give 2 banks of 5 each for a total of 10.
Plus if you were to use two units you could also power another 10 ports.
(Second RCX, Input ports etc.)
*Anyone wishing to lend aide in creating the circuit 'timing' portion
would be very welcome.
The only difficulty I'm having now is deciding on how this item should
be shaped. 10 + 2 Port inputs and the power from the trigger port is
going to be large. 10 Studs by 8 Studs if I stay with current design
thinking or to mount connectors on the sides or such. Any thoughts?
Dean
--
Coin-Op's For Sale!: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/tfm/coin-op.html
Dean's Lego Workshop: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/tfm/lego_wr.html
Vancouver Lego Club: http://www.akasa.bc.ca/vlc
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