Preface of KitiBot-Microbit User Guide

Preface

This KitiBot Tracked/2WD robot kit uses the BBC micro:bit as the host controller, combined with several functional modules, it is easy for the kids to experience robotic tricks such as: line tracking, obstacle avoiding, ultrasonic ranging, servo operation, Bluetooth remote control, etc.

The Tracked version and the 2WD verson KitiBot use the same control board and their functions are same, the only different is their structure

units

【Micro:bit】

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer to learn programming for kids and beginners

• Nordic nRF51822
  • 16 MHz 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller
  • Bluetooth® 4.0 low energy/2.4GHz RF SoC
  • 16kB RAM
  • 256kB Flash
• Freescale KL26Z – 48 MHz ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU
• Compass – Freescale MAG3110 3-axis magnetometer, I2C interface
• Accelerometer – Freescale MMA8652 3-axis accelerometer, I2C interface
• Power connector – 3V power supply
• Reset button – reset the system
• Micro USB connector – for connecting PC, download code, serial communication, etc.
• 5x5 LED display – 5x5 LED grid
• Button A/B – programmable buttons
• I/O connection pins – 5 I/O rings and 20-pin edge connector, including SPI, UART, I2C, Analog, PWM, etc.
• Dimensions – 5cm x 4cm

【Notes】 Components of different package will be different. In this guide, we will describe all the components, and some of them may not be included in the package you buy.

The use guide, shcematic, demo code, datasheet, all the resources can be download in Wiki.

• http://www.spotpear.com/index.php/index/study/detail/id/337.html
  

【Author say】 There may be mistakes and errors in this guide due to the limit of knowledge and time. If you find any errors, please kindly contact us.

Please be careful when you use this KitiBot to avoid of destroying the KitiBot. We recommend you to read this guide and following it when you first time receive your KitiBot.

Notes

1. Please check the package when you first receive it, check if all the components of the package you bought are included. Before you use the KitiBot, you had better learn how to use the micro:bit by following the chapter 1 to chapter 3. And then assemble it to the KitiBot.
2. The control board integrates charge/boost-discharge circuit and batteries protection circuit achieves multi protection: reverse protection, over charge/discharge protection, over current protection and short circuit protection. Because of the protection circuit, if your is the first time to use the battery on KitiBot, it may cannot power on. In this case, you need to fast toggle the power switch for several times. If you find that the KitiBot cannot be power on when you change new battery, please try this way.
3. There are four indicators on driver board, they are WARRING, CHG, BOOT and PWR.
   • WARRING: This LED is warring indicator, if you opposite connecting batteries, this LED will light on, and you need to change the connecting direction of batteries
   • PWR: This is power indicator, it will light on when the KitiBot is powered on. If you find that this LED doesn't light on after you turn on power switch, you should try to fast toggle the switch for several times, or check if it is need to be charged.
   • BOOT: This is a discharge indicator. It will light on when battery discharges normally. If this LED keeps off or blinking without charging, you may need to charge the battery.
   • CHG: Indicator of charging, it will light on and the BOOT keeps off when you charge battery by connecting USB cable. CHG indicator will turn off after full charge.
4. Power USB interface is used for charging, cannot be used to download programs. If you don't use the KitiBot for long time, please turn the power switch to off from battery damage.
5. You must turn on the power switch and make sure the battery supplies power normally before you connect USB cable to micro:bit for programs downloading. You cannot power KitiBot by micro:bit, or the power LED's light is very slight and KitiBot works improperly.
6. You must turn off power before you plug/pull micro：bit to avoid of destroying micro:bit. And please keep the LED matrix side of micro:bit towards to outside.
7. All the demo codes mentioned in this guide are provided in Wiki. Demo codes are based on makecode programming environmence developed by Microsoft. The makecode tool supports Graphic programming and Javasript. The demo codes are all hex files, can be copied to micro:bit directly and run. (The micro:bit is recognized as a U drive when connected to PC. Flashing demo code to micro:bit done by copied hex file to the U drive). You can also import demo code to makcode website for modifying and flashing. Demo codes may be updated on Wiki and be different with this guide.

Related Pages

• Preface
• Chapter 1 of KitiBot-Microbit: LED Matrix
• Chapter 2 of KitiBot-Microbit: Keys
• Chapter 3 of KitiBot-Microbit: Sensors
• Chapter 4 of KitiBot-Microbit: Music
• Chapter 5 of KitiBot-Microbit: RGB LED
• Chapter 6 of KitiBot-Microbit: Running, KitiBot
• Chapter 7 of KitiBot-Microbit: Shaking, KitiBot
• Chapter 8 of KitiBot-Microbit: Bluetooth Control
• Chapter 9 of KitiBot-Microbit: 2.4G Communication
• Chapter 10 of KitiBot-Microbit: Ultrasonic Obstacle
• Chapter 11 of KitiBot-Microbit