Contents

Navigating the BrainStem Resources

Welcome to the BrainStem Resources center. 

Here you will find a number of resources for the BrainStem controllers and related accessories.  The menu at the top right of this page appears on every page in this section to allow you to quickly navigate through the various resources. 

The first four topics are concerned with the hardware, firmware, and related software, and include:

• Welcome: The page you are currently on.  This page discusses the resources available to you and gives an introduction to the BrainStem technology suite (below). 
• Reference: The Reference is a complete documentation of the hardware and firmware on the BrainStem modules, as well as programming with the modules.  The full reference is available for download through the Acroname Download Center . 
• Software: An overview of the software available for the BrainStem architecture. 
• Hardware: An overview of controller hardware and interfacing with the BrainStem controllers. 

The last four topics are resources geared towards the beginning user and those looking for inspiration, and consist of examples, guides, and user-shared ideas:

• Examples: A link to the example browser, which contains over 100 interfacing and programming examples for the BrainStem and other products we offer. 
• Starting: Getting Started Guides for the BrainStem Modules, available software, and other topics.  This is the best place to start if you are new to the BrainStem. 
• Forums: A link to the Acroname forums, which has a BrainStem-specific forum. 
• In Use: The BrainStem in Use pages highlight projects from around the country using the BrainStem modules. 

BrainStem Overview

BrainStem technology integrates software and hardware to provide you with a comprehensive, user-friendly access to the physical world from software.  The BrainStem suite includes:

• Hardware modules
• Hardware accessories
• Software
• Support documentation

Acroname provides software programs, programming libraries and software interfaces for cross-platform environments to interact with the BrainStems.  Interactions with Brainstems can manifest in a number of different operational modes concurrently including:

• Slave Mode - A host computer manipulates or reads directly from BrainStem I/O.  In this mode, the BrainStem acts as a translator between the host and a number of analog, digital, I2C, and other devices. 
• TEA Mode - BrainStem modules can run several Tiny Embedded Application (TEA) programs concurrently to accomplish simple tasks.  TEA is a subset of the C programming language and is nearly syntactically identical to C. 
• Reflex Mode - One command or input triggers another command or series of commands.  Reflexes are typically used to monitor sensor input and shut motors down in dangerous situations, freeing the host machine from constantly checking all input. 

BrainStem modules can be manipulated through a Link with user interface applications such as the Acroname Console.  High level C/C++ APIs are also supported.  Additional APIs , such as Java and .NET, have been created and shared by other developers for use by the community. 

Key Features

All BrainStem modules have a common set of core features, including:

• Cross platform software C/C++ library support for Windows, MacOS X, and Linux
• Built-in command set that provides instant access to all I/O features
• Convenient power and ground connections for external devices
• A multitasking kernel that supports concurrent processes, interactive (slave) commands issued by the host platform or other modules, and configurable reflexive behaviors based on system inputs
• Heartbeat and power indicators showing system status
• Multiple modules and other devices may be networked via the IIC bus

Related Links:

Articles: BrainStem Robotic Teleoperation

Holonomic Motion Control of a PPRK using the BrainStem Controller

Acroname Inc Robotics Demo with Microsoft at ASEE

BrainStem Tutorial to Automate a Model Railroad Crossing

BrainStem GP 1.0 Module Overview