Open-Source Robotics and Process Control Cookbook: Designing and Building Robust, Dependable Real-time Systems (Paperback)

by Lewin Edwards Lewin Edwards is an embedded engineer with over 15 years experience designing embedded systems hardware firmware and control software. (Author) "Over the course of roughly a year, after completing my first book, I resurrected an old pet project of building an autonomous submarine (referred to..." (more)
Key Phrases: byte lds, framebuffer console, filesystem image, Analog Devices, Fedora Core, National Semiconductor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
Applies affordable and popular open-source tools to the burgeoning and exciting world of robotics for the first time ever in one book!

Product Description
In this practical reference, popular author Lewin Edwards shows how to develop robust, dependable real-time systems for robotics and other control applications, using open-source tools. It demonstrates efficient and low-cost embedded hardware and software design techniques, based on Linux as the development platform and operating system and the Atmel AVR as the primary microcontroller. The book provides comprehensive examples of sensor, actuator and control applications and circuits, along with source code for a number of projects. It walks the reader through the process of setting up the Linux-based controller, from creating a custom kernel to customizing the BIOS, to implementing graphical control interfaces.

Including detailed design information on:
· ESBUS PC-host interface
· Host-module communications protocol
· A speed-controlled DC motor with tach feedback and thermal cut-off
· A stepper motor controller
· A two-axis attitude sensor using a MEMS accelerometer
· Infrared remote control in Linux using LIRC
· Machine vision using Video4Linux

The Accompanying CD-ROM contains a wealth of design materials, including:
· Full schematics and source code for the projects described
· Ready-made disk images for the miniature Linux distribution uses as the basis for the PC-side software
· Distribution archives of source code for all GNU software used, along with application-specific patches where appropriate
· A free version of the schematic capture and PCB CAD software used
· Atmel AVR Studio

* The first-ever book on using open source technology for robotics design!

* Immensely valuable source code and design tools provided on the CD-ROM

* Covers hot topics such as GPS navigation, 3-D sensing, and machine vision, all using a Linux platform!

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Newnes (December 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750677783
• ISBN-13: 978-0750677783
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #824,773 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concepts, January 29, 2006

By	Randall P. Hootman (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Edwards does the reader a great service by going into why decisions are made. For example, Edwards leads you through the choice of which PC motherboard he was going to use for the project. His decisions and considerations were very insightful to me. Although the board(s) selected are now out of date according to the manufacturers, using his process will enable you to find motherboards to be able to handle the tasks in the book. Next, Edwards leads you through setting up Linux using BusyBox and how to divide the system up using a compact harddrive and a CompactFlash. All in all, while I consider myself an expert linux user, I found his coverage of material very interesting. Another keeper for my robotics bookshelf.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars for an experienced readership, February 28, 2005

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Edwards claims that his book is the first on using open source software to build robotic systems. The aim is to reduce the cost, as compared with using a commercial real time operating system. Hitherto, the latter has been the choice of many robotics designs.

He puts a lot of detail into the text, of how to use linux as the embedded operating system in the robot. To address the issue of whether linux is up to the demands of real time running. The ideal reader should be proficient both in linux device drivers and in constructing robots. The text is probably not ideal for someone new to either field.

To motivate the reader, Edwards provides several examples of functionalities to be built into the robots. Like being able to use GPS, which sounds quite neat.