Contents

DC motors An introduction to motors and how they work, with a special section on converting starter motors.

Speed controllers How speed control of a DC motor works, with special sections on MOSFETs and opto-isolators.

Circuits A collection of useful electronic circuits for radio control robots. These do not use microcontrollers, so are fairly easy to build for anyone with some veroboard and a soldering iron! Extensive circuit descriptions and SPICE simulations for each circuit.

Software A collection of useful software algorithms, functions, and modules for embedded system development, geared towards the robot builder who is using an embedded controller in their robot.

Embedded micros An introduction to using a microcontroller in your robot. Tips on embedded programming, multi-channel radio use, and an extensive example.

Radio & antennas Having trouble with your radio link? Hints and tips of how to install your antenna and cabling.

EMC Electro-Magnetic Compatibility. If your having noise and interference problems, read here. Includes a separate section on Battery Eliminator Cicuits

Armour materials A table of physiical and mechanical properties of a whole range of materials, with hints on machining.

Heatsinks An in-depth technical page on working out what size of heatsink you will require, and the best heatsinks to use.

Batteries What type of battery to use, how it will perform, the best way to charge it up, looking after it. All in here!

Spinning Disks Spinning disks can be very effective weapons. This chapter covers the physics of them, and explains how to design your own.

Axe Weapons Axe weapons are quite commonly used in robotic combat competitions. This page describes the physics behind them, allowing you to calculate the energy, speed, angles, and timings involved in their use, whether powered pneumatically or by an electric motor..

Solenoids How solenoids and actuators work, how to design your own, and links to manufacturers.

Test Equipment A description of all the types of test equipment that may be needed if you are building your own robot, especially if you are doing more than the bog-standard "plugging boxes together"

Worked Examples A set of worked examples in designing a robot. Many of these are based on real problems that correspondents of mine had. Mechanical, electrical, and electronic problems may all be here.

Links and Books Loads of links to other technical documents and web pages, and a list of relevant books with reviews on robotics.