Version 8.6 of the Proteus simulation and PCB design software adds new features such as STM32F103xx microcontroller simulation and serpentine track-length matching, but without doubt the most novel new feature is the ‘Robotic Turtle Simulation’.
Targeted at the education market, simulation for two line-following and obstacle-avoidance robots – the Funduino Turtle and Pololu Zumo – has been added to the latest release of the software. Users are able to draw any maze or obstacle course and then test their programming prowess by developing software to try and navigate the robotic vehicles safely through the course.
The robots feature sensors such as infrared reflectance optics, ultrasonic distance measurement and gyroscopic and compass orientation. The sensors are interfaced to an Arduino Uno, onto which firmware developed in any compiler (for example, the native Arduino IDE) can be loaded for simulation.
Proteus Visual Designer, a drag-and-drop flowchart programming environment alternative which makes firmware development easy, also includes full support for the robots: high-level functions such as ‘turn East’ take all the complexity out of interfacing with the sensors and allow students to quickly start seeing results. As students progress, Visual Designer flowcharts can then be converted into full Arduino C/C++ sketches.
As with all Proteus simulation, the ability to pause time and single-step through code provides powerful debugging insights. Once ready to try the firmware out in the real world, Visual Designer code can be downloaded to the real robots at the click of a button.
TI releases top five power design tools Altron Arrow
Design Automation
Texas Instruments has released an online resource combining the top five power design tools available to aid in the next electronic project design.
Read more...Upgraded AI/ML SDK for PolarFire FPGAs Altron Arrow
Design Automation
Network sizes have been reduced by 50% by optimising containers for weights and the built-in bit accuracy simulator’s speed has been tripled.
Read more...Mouser’s resource pages make it easier to find what you need TRX Electronics
Design Automation
Mouser Electronics offers a wealth of customer-focused online tools to simplify and optimise the selection and purchasing process. Helping customers to easily browse, select and purchase products, the ...
Read more...NB-IoT/2G peripheral development board Dizzy Enterprises
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
MikroElektronika has launched NB IoT 4 Click, a compact add-on board for IoT applications such as smart metering, intelligent wearables, security and asset tracking, home appliances, environmental monitoring ...
Read more...Software development kit for motor control Altron Arrow
Design Automation
STMicroelectronics’ STM32 microcontrollers offer the performance of industry-standard Arm Cortex-M cores running either vector control or field-oriented control (FOC) modes, which are widely used in high-performance ...
Read more...Newest version of PCB design software released Dizzy Enterprises
Design Automation
Proteus version 8.14 has been released. This latest version of the PCB design and circuit simulation software adds dedicated support for test points, improvements to differential pair routing, resin-filled ...
Read more...Online simulator speeds thyristor, AC switch selection
Design Automation
To quickly find the thyristor or AC switch that best fits their design, engineers can use STMicroelectronics’ AC Switch Simulator online tool by simply entering the main I/O and gate parameters.
To ...
Read more...3D simulation IDE boosts factory productivity Omron Electronics
Design Automation
Omron’s updated Sysmac Studio 3D Simulation integrated development environment (IDE) integrates and verifies the movements of robots and peripheral devices.
It can digitally reproduce an entire facility ...
Read more...Features added to DesignSpark PCB Pro RS Components (SA)
Design Automation
RS Components added new features to DesignSpark PCB Pro and introduced an RS stock number to make it easier to purchase. The free-of-charge version of DesignSpark PCB, part of the award-winning RS DesignSpark ...
printer friendly version