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NEW! Power Point and Spin files
for Workshop at the 2008
American Technical Educator's
Association (ATEA) National conference:
Getting started with the
Propeller - Graphics & Gaming principles.
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EST 342 Applications of Microcontrollers Projects The EST 342, Applications of Microcontrollers course, is using the Propeller from Parallax this semester as means to study a multi-core processor and to use its high-level graphics and abilities to display control systems and sensors. The class is using the Propeller Demo Board with Video/Keyboard/Mouse adapters. The students have done an excellent job in learning and using the abilities of this controller, and keeping the instructor on the ball keeping up too! As a text, the course is using Andre' LaMothe's excellent text, "Game Programming for the Propeller Powered Hydra", which covers the controller's hardware, high-level Spin and Assembly language programming, interfacing to video, keyboards, mice and other devices, and game programming. Midterm Projects Below are their midterm project of selecting a sensor, interfacing it to the controller, and displaying the data in an informative manner with some form of user input. |
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| Sam used a temperature sensor for monitoring. A mouse was used to adjust an alarm set point. Sam used line drawing abilities for a virtual thermometer. |
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| Matt used a 0 - 5 PSI pressure sensor for monitoring.
A mouse was used to adjust an alarm set point. He chose to use
vector graphics for a virtual meter. See a video of Matt's Project |
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| Aaron used an accelerometer/inclinometer to display the
tilt of the board, with calibration input from the mouse buttons.
He used vector sprites to rotate the horizon indicator. See a video of Aaron's Project |
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| Jim's excitement led him to do a Super Mario Brothers
spin-off. He used a 0-100lb load cell to 'pull' Mario out of the
stove pipe. He used pixel sprite graphics to achieve his display.
The mouse was used to switch the interface from lbs to ounces. See a video of Jim's Project |
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| Jeremy used a sonic distance sensor to monitor and display the distance from the board as a block moving in relation to a wall on the display. It made us want to make a Pong game out of it! |
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| Zachary's interest in music led him to make a virtual tuning wheel. The disc would change direction and speed depending on an applied frequency as compared to the desired note's frequency. Sorry Zachary, missed a good picture of you with it! |
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| Mohammed used a temperature sensor and a very interesting perspective background to display the temperature. |
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| Will's project centered around monitoring the Pressure in DawgZooka's accumulator. Vector drawing was used to display on a virtual meter and indicate when in pressure range for firing! |
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| Kyle also used a temperature sensor to display the current temperature on the monitor. Sorry, missed a picture of you with it! |
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| Regina tested an IR measuring device. It didn't seem to be too accurate though, but still a nice job with it! See a video of Regina's project. |
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| Dan used the PING ultrasonic distance sensor to measure distance to the ground in a simulation of adjusting his bike's suspension. Very good job, especially with the set point adjustments. Sorry, the video didn't come out too well. |
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| Corey used a photo-resistor to measure and display light levels.... sorry Corey, can't find the pics... | |