Cambridge robot evolves little robots

Cambridge robot evolutionEvolution by natural selection has been observed in robots, according to a team lead by the University of Cambridge.

In the experiment, a constructor robot assembles simple robots (called ‘locomotion agents’), test them against movement-based criteria, build another another generation based on results, then test these, and so on…

Mechanically, the constructor is an arm with six degrees of freedom (a Universal Robots UR5) equipped with a two-fingered gripper and a hot-melt glue gun.

Locomotion agents are built combinations of two parts:
‘passive elements’ which are 3cm black cubes
‘active elements’, which are 6cm blue cubes – one face of which can be rotated by an internal motor.

A genome with one to five genes controls how passive elements are glued to active elements during construction.

500 locomotion agents were built, with the later ones travelling twice as fast as the early ones.

The work is both simpler and more complex that some press reports would have you believe. The on-line PLOS One paper ‘Morphological evolution of physical robots through model-Free phenotype development‘ tells all.

In the photo, the gripper of the construction robot holds two pale blue active elements glued together. A single spare black passive element sits on the left of the table. A video camera (out of the picture) provides visual feedback.

There is also an evolution robot video.

 

steve bush

Cambridge robot evolves little robots

Cambridge robot evolutionEvolution by natural selection has been observed in robots, according to a team lead by the University of Cambridge.

In the experiment, a constructor robot assembles simple robots (called ‘locomotion agents’), test them against movement-based criteria, build another another generation based on results, then test these, and so on…

Mechanically, the constructor is an arm with six degrees of freedom (a Universal Robots UR5) equipped with a two-fingered gripper and a hot-melt glue gun.

Locomotion agents are built combinations of two parts:
‘passive elements’ which are 3cm black cubes
‘active elements’, which are 6cm blue cubes – one face of which can be rotated by an internal motor.

A genome with one to five genes controls how passive elements are glued to active elements during construction.

500 locomotion agents were built, with the later ones travelling twice as fast as the early ones.

The work is both simpler and more complex that some press reports would have you believe. The on-line PLOS One paper ‘Morphological evolution of physical robots through model-Free phenotype development‘ tells all.

In the photo, the gripper of the construction robot holds two pale blue active elements glued together. A single spare black passive element sits on the left of the table. A video camera (out of the picture) provides visual feedback.

There is also an evolution robot video.

 

steve bush

Low phase noise oscillator from Crystek

Crystek CCPD-575 - an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator

Crystek CCPD-575 – an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator

Crystek has launched the CCPD-575 – an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator providing a -162 dBc/Hz noise floor.

The chip’s phase noise is claimed to be 15 dB lower phase noise than most LVPECL oscillators on the market.

Close-in phase noise i -90 dBc/Hz for the 100 MHz variant. This overall ultra-low phase noise translates to a typical phase jitter of 85 fS RMS (12 kHz to 20 MHz).

The low phase noise performance is useful in applications such as: Digital Video, SONET/SDH/DWDM, Storage Area Networks, Broadband Access, Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.

CCPD-575
Frequency (MHz) 50.000 to 156.250
Package 5.0 x 7.5 mm SMD
Supply (VDC) 3.30
Output LVPECL
Stability ppm (°C) ±20 (-40 to 85)
P/N (dBc/Hz) -162 @ Floor
Data Sheet CCPD-575.pdf

david manners

Low phase noise oscillator from Crystek

Crystek CCPD-575 - an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator

Crystek CCPD-575 – an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator

Crystek has launched the CCPD-575 – an Ultra-Low Phase Noise LVPECL Oscillator providing a -162 dBc/Hz noise floor.

The chip’s phase noise is claimed to be 15 dB lower phase noise than most LVPECL oscillators on the market.

Close-in phase noise i -90 dBc/Hz for the 100 MHz variant. This overall ultra-low phase noise translates to a typical phase jitter of 85 fS RMS (12 kHz to 20 MHz).

The low phase noise performance is useful in applications such as: Digital Video, SONET/SDH/DWDM, Storage Area Networks, Broadband Access, Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.

CCPD-575
Frequency (MHz) 50.000 to 156.250
Package 5.0 x 7.5 mm SMD
Supply (VDC) 3.30
Output LVPECL
Stability ppm (°C) ±20 (-40 to 85)
P/N (dBc/Hz) -162 @ Floor
Data Sheet CCPD-575.pdf

david manners

IDT extends VVA frequency coverage

RF VVA - The F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity

RF VVA – The F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity

IDT has introduced two RF voltage variable attenuators (VVA) which expand its VVA frequency coverage to a range of 1 MHz to 6 GHz. Like the other members of the family, the F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity.

IDT’s VVAs deliver analogue control for applications that require precise attenuation. Both new devices come in a 3 millimeter by 3 millimeter, 16-pin TQFN package. They offer IP3 performance 1000x (30 dB) better than Gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices, and they exhibit a linear-in-dB attenuation characteristic across the voltage control range. Their low insertion loss reduces RF chain path loss, while their high linearity improves system data rates.

These newest devices match popular footprints and are suitable for base stations (2G, 3G and 4G), microwave infrastructure, public safety, portable wireless communication/data equipment, test/ATE equipment, military systems, JTRS radios, and HF, VHF and UHF radios.

By using silicon-based RF semiconductor technology, IDT’s attenuators offer an alternative to GaAs-based semiconductor technology. Silicon technology offers the advantages of improved RF performance as well as more robust electrostatic discharge (ESD) protections, better moisture sensitivity levels (MSL), improved thermal performance, lower current consumption, and the proven reliability of silicon technology.

Comparing the F2258 to its pin-compatible GaAs competitor, the device has an Input IP3 of up to 65dBm vs 35dBm, a maximum attenuation slope of 33dB/Volt vs. 53dB/Volt; minimum return loss up to 6000MHz, 12.5dB vs. 7dB; and operating maximum temperature range of 105C Vs 85C. The F2255 device supports a frequency range down to 1MHz and has a maximum attenuation slope of 33dB/Volt. Both devices have bi-directional RF ports, support a single positive supply voltage of either 3V or 5V and have an operating temperature range of -40 to 105C.

david manners

IDT extends VVA frequency coverage

RF VVA - The F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity

RF VVA – The F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity

IDT has introduced two RF voltage variable attenuators (VVA) which expand its VVA frequency coverage to a range of 1 MHz to 6 GHz. Like the other members of the family, the F2255 and F2258 devices offer industry-leading low insertion loss and high linearity.

IDT’s VVAs deliver analogue control for applications that require precise attenuation. Both new devices come in a 3 millimeter by 3 millimeter, 16-pin TQFN package. They offer IP3 performance 1000x (30 dB) better than Gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices, and they exhibit a linear-in-dB attenuation characteristic across the voltage control range. Their low insertion loss reduces RF chain path loss, while their high linearity improves system data rates.

These newest devices match popular footprints and are suitable for base stations (2G, 3G and 4G), microwave infrastructure, public safety, portable wireless communication/data equipment, test/ATE equipment, military systems, JTRS radios, and HF, VHF and UHF radios.

By using silicon-based RF semiconductor technology, IDT’s attenuators offer an alternative to GaAs-based semiconductor technology. Silicon technology offers the advantages of improved RF performance as well as more robust electrostatic discharge (ESD) protections, better moisture sensitivity levels (MSL), improved thermal performance, lower current consumption, and the proven reliability of silicon technology.

Comparing the F2258 to its pin-compatible GaAs competitor, the device has an Input IP3 of up to 65dBm vs 35dBm, a maximum attenuation slope of 33dB/Volt vs. 53dB/Volt; minimum return loss up to 6000MHz, 12.5dB vs. 7dB; and operating maximum temperature range of 105C Vs 85C. The F2255 device supports a frequency range down to 1MHz and has a maximum attenuation slope of 33dB/Volt. Both devices have bi-directional RF ports, support a single positive supply voltage of either 3V or 5V and have an operating temperature range of -40 to 105C.

david manners

ARM quad-core computer Odroid rivals Raspberry Pi

Odroid-C1

Odroid-C1

Here’s another ARM-based, Linux running computer which costs less than £36. It’s the Odroid, remember the name.

The company behind the Odroid range of Raspberry Pi look alike computers is Hardkernel of South Korea. ARM likes the look of the spec, as it has been promoting the Odroid-C1+ on Twitter.

This is not surprising as the Odroid-C1+ has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A5(ARMv7) based Amlogic processor running at 1.5GHz. For graphics there is an ARM Mali-450 MP2 GPU, which is OpenGL ES 2.0/1.1 enabled for Linux and Android.

There is 1Gbyte DDR3 SDRAM.

The Odroid-C1+ is a very capable multimedia computer which can also be used as a hardware development platform. And it costs £36.

Ubuntu, Android, Fedora, ARCHLinux, Debian, and OpenELEC operating systems all run on it.

There is also are four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port and 40-pin GPIOs and 7-pin I2S ports.

The Ordoid range of computers is available in the UK through Lilliput Direct.

OS Image files and BSP source code are available from Hardkernel.

 

 

 

 

Richard Wilson

ARM quad-core computer Odroid rivals Raspberry Pi

Odroid-C1

Odroid-C1

Here’s another ARM-based, Linux running computer which costs less than £36. It’s the Odroid, remember the name.

The company behind the Odroid range of Raspberry Pi look alike computers is Hardkernel of South Korea. ARM likes the look of the spec, as it has been promoting the Odroid-C1+ on Twitter.

This is not surprising as the Odroid-C1+ has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A5(ARMv7) based Amlogic processor running at 1.5GHz. For graphics there is an ARM Mali-450 MP2 GPU, which is OpenGL ES 2.0/1.1 enabled for Linux and Android.

There is 1Gbyte DDR3 SDRAM.

The Odroid-C1+ is a very capable multimedia computer which can also be used as a hardware development platform. And it costs £36.

Ubuntu, Android, Fedora, ARCHLinux, Debian, and OpenELEC operating systems all run on it.

There is also are four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port and 40-pin GPIOs and 7-pin I2S ports.

The Ordoid range of computers is available in the UK through Lilliput Direct.

OS Image files and BSP source code are available from Hardkernel.

 

 

 

 

Richard Wilson

Sensor for pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level in a 7.2 x 2.5 x 0.9mm envelope: one photo-diode, three green LEDs, one red LED and one infra-red LED.

Green light is best for measuring the pulse at the wrist, according to the firm, which is why there are three 530nm LEDs. Each outputs 3.4mW of green at their 20mA (Vf~3.2V) optimum operating point. This is more light than the earlier SFH 7050, which only had one green LED, for better signal quality and more stable pulse measurements.

Oxygen saturation in human blood is calculated from the different absorption rates of 660nm red and 940nm infra-red.

“The quality of the measurements depends to a large extent on the achievable signal-to-noise ratio and on the linearity of the photodetector,” said Osram. “The integrated photodiode with its active surface of 1.3 x 1.3mm meets these requirements.”

The wavelength of the red transmitter is specified with ±3nm tolerance for accurate measurements. Infrared and green LEDs is 30nm. Learning from last year’s SFH 7050: the distance between the two transmitters and the photodiode has been increased to detect reflection from deeper in the skin for a clearer signal. The in-package optical barrier that stops LED emissions reaching the photo-diode is also much improved.

Applications for SFH 7060 include wearables such as smart watches and fitness armbands.

“The market for fitness tracking with the aid of wearables is growing at a rapid pace, and some of the requirements that the components have to meet are also changing fast”, said Osram marketing manager Dr. Jörg Heerlein.

steve bush

Sensor for pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level

Osram has packaged all the optoelectronics necessary for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen level in a 7.2 x 2.5 x 0.9mm envelope: one photo-diode, three green LEDs, one red LED and one infra-red LED.

Green light is best for measuring the pulse at the wrist, according to the firm, which is why there are three 530nm LEDs. Each outputs 3.4mW of green at their 20mA (Vf~3.2V) optimum operating point. This is more light than the earlier SFH 7050, which only had one green LED, for better signal quality and more stable pulse measurements.

Oxygen saturation in human blood is calculated from the different absorption rates of 660nm red and 940nm infra-red.

“The quality of the measurements depends to a large extent on the achievable signal-to-noise ratio and on the linearity of the photodetector,” said Osram. “The integrated photodiode with its active surface of 1.3 x 1.3mm meets these requirements.”

The wavelength of the red transmitter is specified with ±3nm tolerance for accurate measurements. Infrared and green LEDs is 30nm. Learning from last year’s SFH 7050: the distance between the two transmitters and the photodiode has been increased to detect reflection from deeper in the skin for a clearer signal. The in-package optical barrier that stops LED emissions reaching the photo-diode is also much improved.

Applications for SFH 7060 include wearables such as smart watches and fitness armbands.

“The market for fitness tracking with the aid of wearables is growing at a rapid pace, and some of the requirements that the components have to meet are also changing fast”, said Osram marketing manager Dr. Jörg Heerlein.

steve bush