Flexibility through modularity

The TP 1515/1516 equipment sets offer an affordable introduction to microcontroller systems and programming. They are ideal for learning about electronic systems, digital electronics, and for rapid prototyping.

The modular nature of the sets makes them highly flexible. Each set consists of a mounting panel, with a choice of microcontroller board technology – PIC or Arduino – and a standard expansion board. Optional expansion boards allow the creation of a wide variety of electronic systems.

The sets can be used by students in educational environments, up to engineers in the industrial world. The technology is real, up-to-date, and provides a great base for training the next generation of engineers and technicians.

Fully functional circuit boards

• Microcontroller boards contain the microcontroller or microprocessor that drives the entire system. They allow the host processor to be connected to multiple expansion boards via the microcontroller / microprocessor I/O pins. They allow re-programming of the host processor, as well as providing debugging options.

• Expansion boards contain either a modularized specific feature to connect to the host processor, or a collection of features. They feature an Auto ID device allowing the complete system to be analyzed for potential issues and to aid in pre-configuring the software for the upstream firmware.

All boards are provided with a complete datasheet, including circuit diagrams.

Rugged design for education

The boards fit together in a flat 2D layout manner allowing the entire system to be easily seen and understood.

The sets have been designed to be electrically and mechanically rugged to withstand the pressures of the lab: expansion board interfaces include damage protection resistors and cannot be damaged by programming errors. Plastic covers protect panel-based boards and prevent chips from being removed.

Courseware is provided with the equipment sets; further support is available through online forums.

Non-programmer friendly

The equipment sets are supported by Flowcode – a graphical, advanced integrated development environment (IDE) for electronic and electromechanical system development. Flowcode allows students to design, simulate, and test a wide variety of microcontroller-based systems with ease.

A 2D and 3D graphical development interface allows students to construct a complete electronic system on-screen, develop a program based on standard flowcharts, simulate the system and then produce hex code for programming a range of devices.

In-circuit-test and -debug

Ghost is a technology embedded in the microcontroller boards. When combined with Flowcode, it is a revolutionary way of debugging electronic systems and saves huge amounts of development time.

Ghost technology provides a real-time log of the status of all the pins on the microcontroller whilst a Flowcode program is running on the device. Ghost data can be viewed on the Flowcode Oscilloscope at the same time as the flow chart simulation. This is called “In-Circuit-Test”. Students can run, pause, and step through the program and view Ghost data at the same time as well as other variables, registers and memory locations. This is called “In-Circuit-Debug”.

Flexible expansion

A wide selection of optional expansion boards is available, allowing coverage of specific topics to perfectly match training needs: input / output boards, wired / wireless boards, motors / actuators boards, sensor boards, prototype boards, and graphical displays.

Disciplines covered include computer science, electrical / electronic / mechanical engineering, mechatronics, design technology, and robotics.

Boards can be snapped together using the rugged Har-flex® connectors to form a wide variety of systems for teaching or learning and for the rapid prototyping of complex electronic systems.

Students develop, simulate, test, and debug a microcontroller program to control embedded systems or mechatronics applications. The optional MecLab Interface connects TP 1515 to any MecLab Station.

Introduce electronics students to the Internet of Things!

The Internet of Things, a network in which smart devices connect, communicate, and exchange data, is a key concept underlying the Industry 4.0. Several boards tackle communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

The package includes:

• 1x Arduino shield board

• 1x Combo board

• 1x Mounting panel

• 1x Power supply cable

• 1x USB cable

• 1x Storage tray

Workbook

Introduction to microcontroller programming

This 50-hour course teaches the basics of developing projects based on microcontrollers using Flowcode software.

The aim of this course is to introduce the concepts of developing electronic systems using microcontrollers. Students learn what a microcontroller is, how to construct circuits and systems based on microcontrollers, and how to program microcontrollers.

The course is suitable for BTEC National in Engineering unit 6, Microcontroller systems for engineers.

Table of contents:

• Introduction

• Intro to microcontrollers

• Using E-blocks

• Flowcode – first program

• Flowcode – examples

• Programming exercises

• Arduino adjustments