Page 96 - Toucpad robotics C11

Timers: Keeping Track of Time

Description
Timers are specialised hardware components within microcontrollers and Single Board Computers that count pulses at
a fixed frequency. They are like internal stopwatches or alarm clocks for the system.

Purpose
Timers are essential for precise time-based operations and scheduling in embedded systems.

Applications in Robotics
Generating Delays: Creating accurate time delays in a program (e.g., waiting 100 milliseconds before turning on a
u
motor).
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Generation: Generating the precise pulses needed to control the speed of Direct
u
Current motors or the position of servo motors.
Event Scheduling: Triggering specific tasks at regular intervals (e.g., reading sensors every 50 milliseconds, updating
u
motor commands every 10 milliseconds).
Measuring Time: Measuring the duration of events (e.g., the time of flight for an ultrasonic sensor echo).
u
Watchdog Timers: A special type of timer that resets the microcontroller if the main program gets stuck (e.g., due to
u
a software error), ensuring the robot doesn’t freeze indefinitely.
In conclusion, programming is the intelligence that breathes life into robotic hardware. From the logical blueprints of
algorithms, visualised in flowcharts and articulated in pseudocode, to the actual code written in languages like Embedded
C, every instruction is meticulously crafted. The ability to handle immediate events through interrupts and to manage
time precisely using timers are crucial elements that ensure robots in places like Delhi can perform their tasks accurately,
efficiently, and reliably, truly integrating hardware with intelligent behaviour.

AI Learns Like the Human Brain—Sort Of
Artificial Intelligence uses something called Neural Networks, which are loosely inspired
by the human brain’s neurons. Just like our brain learns patterns—like recognizing your best
BRAINY
FACT friend’s face in a crowd—AI systems learn by processing data repeatedly until they can predict
outcomes. However, AI isn’t as flexible as our brains. A human can learn cycling and later apply
balance skills to surfing, but AI usually needs separate training for each task. Still, the
brain-inspired design makes AI one of the most powerful problem-solving tools in history.

REBOOT

Answer the following questions:

1. Why is Boolean logic considered the foundation of robotics computing?
2. Can an algorithm be written in plain English? Why or why not?
3. Why do we use pseudocode before actual programming?
4. When would you choose Arduino instead of Raspberry Pi?
5. What shape is used in flowcharts to show decision-making?

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Touchpad Robotics - XI