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Step 10Sequencer (construction & programming)
Here's the final sequencer board. To create the board, I used my homemade PCB technique, explained in detail in my instructable here.
The microcontroller is programmed via the Basic Stamp Editor using simple Basic language commands. Programming the stamp is done with a separate board with a serial port for connecting to my computer. Once the stamp is programmed, it can be removed from the programming board and inserted onto the sequencer board, ready to go.
I wrote two BS2 programs (so far) to run the sequencer. SEQ1 uses the random number generator to select from a fixed set of patterns for turning the output pins on and off. Each of the 20 patterns comprises a single byte. The leftmost six bits control six outputs (pins 2-7). The rightmost two bits define the duration of the pattern display: 00 = 5 seconds; 01 = 10 seconds; 10 = 20 seconds; 11 = 40 seconds. None of this is truly random, of course; there are only 20 patterns and they are predetermined.
SEQ2 is quite different. It first runs a series of "chase" patterns -- outputs 1-6 are turned on sequentially in one direction; then two adjacent outputs are turned on & chased, then three, etc. After all the wires are lit, the chases repeat, with descending numbers of lit wires, in the opposite direction from the ascending chases. Next, a series of steady illuminations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 adjacent strings, followed by the same in reverse order. Then the whole thing repeats in a big loop.
The two videos show the sequence running without the tube spinning.
The sequencer can of course be used for other projects besides this one.....
The microcontroller is programmed via the Basic Stamp Editor using simple Basic language commands. Programming the stamp is done with a separate board with a serial port for connecting to my computer. Once the stamp is programmed, it can be removed from the programming board and inserted onto the sequencer board, ready to go.
I wrote two BS2 programs (so far) to run the sequencer. SEQ1 uses the random number generator to select from a fixed set of patterns for turning the output pins on and off. Each of the 20 patterns comprises a single byte. The leftmost six bits control six outputs (pins 2-7). The rightmost two bits define the duration of the pattern display: 00 = 5 seconds; 01 = 10 seconds; 10 = 20 seconds; 11 = 40 seconds. None of this is truly random, of course; there are only 20 patterns and they are predetermined.
SEQ2 is quite different. It first runs a series of "chase" patterns -- outputs 1-6 are turned on sequentially in one direction; then two adjacent outputs are turned on & chased, then three, etc. After all the wires are lit, the chases repeat, with descending numbers of lit wires, in the opposite direction from the ascending chases. Next, a series of steady illuminations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 adjacent strings, followed by the same in reverse order. Then the whole thing repeats in a big loop.
The two videos show the sequence running without the tube spinning.
The sequencer can of course be used for other projects besides this one.....
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Dec 5, 2006. 6:10 PMgabi68
says:
Can you tell me more about programing your microcontroller? What kind of board do you use for programing? THX
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Dec 6, 2006. 11:35 AMguerroloco (author)
says:
For this project I used a homemade board that a friend of mine put together. You don't really need much, just an IC socket for the stamp, voltage regulator if necessary, serial connector and power supply. www.parallax.com has schematics. They also sell programming boards for $50 or more.
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