Download - NXT Basics *
NXT Basics: Technic Building and NXT-G
Erin Cejka RieckerCenter for Engineering Educational OutreachTufts University
Getting to Know the NXT
Motors and Sensors
Hardware Comparison
Technic or “Studless” Building
Pieces: Studless beams Connectors Axles
Features: Symmetry Sturdy
Build a Two Motor Car
Software Options
ROBOLAB 2.9
LEGO Mindstorms for NXT(NXT-G)
Using ROBOLAB 2.9 with the NXT New sensors
Screen control
Using ROBOLAB 2.9 with the NXT
NXT control panel appears during download
NXT-G Interface
Toolbar
Workspace
Configuration Panel
Help & Navigation
ControllerPalettes
Tutorials
Web Portal
Sequence Beam
NXT-G tools
Pointer tool: move blocks, select blocks Pan tool: move within workspace Comment tool: add notes to your code
Intro to NXT-G: Palettes
Common: Complete:Custom:
Most All blocks Downloadedcommonly and createdused blocks blocks
Writing a Basic Program Drag and drop block(s) on sequence
beam
Manipulate Configuration Panel & Download
Intro to NXT-G: Controller
Download & Run Selection
Download & Run
NXT Window
Download Stop
ROBOLAB vs. NXT-G
ROBOLAB vs. NXT-G
In ROBOLAB In NXT-G
Icons or VIs Blocks
Modifiers Configuration Panel
Wiring together icons Sequence beams
Need start & stop light
Start is given, no stop needed
NXT Rotation Sensor
Built in to motors Measure degrees
or rotations Reads + and - Degrees:
accuracy +/- 1 1 rotation =
360 degrees
Viewing Sensors
Connect sensor Turn on NXT Choose “View” Select sensor type Select port
NXT Sound Sensor Sound sensor can measure in dB and dBA
dB: in detecting standard [unadjusted] decibels, all sounds are measured with equal sensitivity. Thus, these sounds may include some that are too high or too low for the human ear to hear.
dBA: in detecting adjusted decibels, the sensitivity of the sensor is adapted to the sensitivity of the human ear. In other words, these are the sounds that your ears are able to hear.
Sound Sensor readings on the NXT are displayed in percent [%]. The lower the percent the quieter the sound.
http://mindstorms.lego.com/Overview/Sound_Sensor.aspx
Challenge: Stop with sound
Program your NXT car to drive until you yell “Stop”
Example Program: Stop with Sound
NXT Ultrasonic/Distance Sensor Measures
distance/proximity
Range: 0-255 cm Precision: +/- 3cm Can report in
centimeters or inches
http://mindstorms.lego.com/Overview/Ultrasonic_Sensor.aspx
Challenge: Parking NXT
Program your NXT car to drive forward until you “find a parking spot” (hit a touch sensor)
The car should then turn into the spot, and stop when it gets close enough to wall.
Example Program: Parking NXT
A note about NXT memory Memory space is limited! To clear space, use NXT window Show and delete system files for more
space
NXT Structure: Loops
Challenge: Stay on Table
Program your NXT to stay on the table
Example Program: Stay on Table
NXT Structure: Switch
Challenge: Remote Control
Program car to drive while the touch sensor is pushed and stop while the touch sensor is released
Example Program: Remote Control
NXT Sound NXT can play sound files or notes Sounds take up more memory space
NXT Display Display images, text, or drawings Choose location on display screen 100 x 64 pixels (up to 7 lines of text) Graphics take up memory space
Challenge: Say Hello
Have the RCX say hello using sound and the display screen
Don’t forget – the program ends after the last block. You may need a wait for to see the display.
Caution: one of the options in the configuration panel is Clear – use it to clear screen. Otherwise, uncheck the box!
Example Program: Say Hello
My Blocks
Create custom blocks Saved in custom palette Download blocks from the web
Creating My Blocks
Write the code for the My Block
Creating My Blocks
Select all the blocks to be used for My Block
Creating My Blocks Choose “Create My Block” on toolbar Or, go to the Edit menu and select
“Make a new My Block”
Creating My Blocks Name My
Block
Add a description
Creating My Blocks Create a
custom icon
Creating My Blocks
My Block appears in Custom Palette
Challenge: Create My Block
Come up with a program where you might use a My Block
May use it to repeat actions or to conserve workspace
Example Program: Create My Block This program displays “If you’re happy
and you know it, press the touch sensor (and hold it)!”
If the touch sensor if pressed, it displays a happy face, otherwise it displays a sad face
A My Block is used for the text display
Example Program: Create My Block
Design Challenge: Alarm System Build an alarm system using the NXT Alarm can be triggered by any sensor
(or use more than one) Alarm should have an audio component Alarm can use display or motors as well