Dublin Robotics Boosters

NXT-Step Programming Workshop

Basic Programming Workshop Review

Programming can not overcome poor robot and attachment design

Think strategically with missions & attachments

Use Bluetooth KISS it! Change ONE thing at a time Document changes Leapfrog development Save, Save, Save

NXT-Step Programming Workshop: Taking your programming to the NXT Level

Adding on to the Basics: Create a script or a checklist for the competition

This checklist should be run through each time you approach the table to ensure that EVERY ITEM is in it’s place and you are ready to go

This checklist should be read by a non-robot handling student throughout the competition.

This checklist can be as simple or as complex as needed to suit your team

Things to include Check chassis Check wiring is secure NXT is “on” and set to it’s 1st program/mission Attachments are assembled and ready for use Who is the robot handler, what mission are they doing (repeat as

needed)

Default Ports

Touch Sensor Default port 1

Sound Sensor Default port 2 Light Sensor

Default port 3

Ultrasonic Sensor

Default port 4

Attachment Motor Default port A

Drive Motors Default ports B & C

Use the NXT to find accurate sensor readings “View” option Bluetooth can

send sensor readings to PC select the

sensor block readings will

appear on the far left of the configuration panel

Use that BRAIN!

Reading Sensors: Now it’s your turn…

Objective… take sensor readings using your NXT

Using your NXT and Bluetooth, we’re going to: Take rotation reading (only reads in degrees) Take light reading Calibrate NXT light readings

Select “Calibrate” program from tools menu (it will download and run automatically).

Run this program EVERY time you approach the board if you use light sensors

Multitasking!

What is multitasking? Programming your robot to accomplish multiple

tasks at the same time Why use it? SAVES TIME!! Example: Move forward and raise an attachment

Multitasking: Now it’s your turn…

Objective… Program your NXT to walk and chew gum at the same time

In NXT-G, we’re going to: Create a multiple sequence beam

Program a standard move forward block Add a 2nd sequence beam, programming the

attachment motor to raise or lower TIP: Add a move block below the 1st sequence

beam. Use “Shift” and click on the 1st sequence beam, then drag down to connect to the move block, creating a new sequence beam.

Loops: Going in Circles…

What’s a loop? Requires a task to be repeated a set number of times before

moving to the next block Repeat (or continue) a task until a specific variable is met

(using sensor input) Requires that specific conditions are met before moving on to

the next block

Loops: Now it’s your turn…

Objective… using a loop, learn to meet a specific condition before moving on to the next block

Using a loop, we’re going to: Create a task that needs to repeat a set number

of times before moving to the next block Continue a task until a specific variable is met

(using sensor input)

Breaking and Entering: using a crow bar

What’s a Crow Bar?

A temporary block used to pry open a space within a loop or a switch

Crow Bar: Now it’s your turn…

Objective… learn to manipulate blocks to pry open space for loops and switches

Using a crow bar, we’re going to: Create a 2nd sequence beam inside a loop

Hint: The same process can be applied to a Switch

Can you count to ONE?: Single Count Loops Single Count Loops:

Ensure that ALL tasks are met before leaving the loop

Why use a Single Count Loop? It’s an

insurance policy that everything is synchronized before moving on

Single Count Loops: Now it’s your turn…Objective… using a single count loop, learn to ensure

ALL tasks are completed before leaving the loop

Using a single count loop, we’re going to: Create a program that needs to meet a specific

requirement before moving to the next block Hint:

Use a crowbar to put everything in a Loop

Switches: If/Then ConditionsWhat’s a Switch? If Condition A is met, then program chooses path 1 If Condition B is met, then program chooses path 2

Example: Condition A: If the Light Sensor reads above 50, NXT says “Light”; Condition B: If the Light Sensor reads below 50, NXT says “Dark”

Switches: Now it’s your turn…

Objective… using a switch, teach your robot to make a choice between two actions

Using a switch, we’re going to: Create a program that requires a if/then

statement, dependent upon sensor input.

Data Wires: Playing Telephone with Your Programming Data Wires are:

Data wires send information from one block to one or more blocks later in a program

Three types of Data Wires: Numeric: integers (whole numbers), positive or negative Logic: one of two possible values, true or false Text: a string of letters “Hello”, “turn right”, “643cheese”

Why use them? Could send a light reading to a variable block Could send a touch sensor reading to a move block Could send text to the NXT screen letting you know

what a specific condition is (a light sensor reading) Must use a text block to convert a reading to text

Data Blocks: Information Overload Logic, Math & Compare Blocks:

Blocks in which math calculations or comparisons are performed

Range & Random Blocks: Looks for values in a given range or randomly selects

a value Variable & Constant Blocks:

Carry and hold information for later use Variable Blocks get information from other blocks Constant Blocks must have values, like numbers or a

true/false, input manually by the programmer Why use them?

So we can reference values later in a program

Data Wires and Data Blocks: Putting it all together

See the Help section for specific color coding and other helpful information about data wires

Uses math to calculate distance

Data Wires

Data Hub

Constants

My Blocks: Space Saving Miracles My Blocks are:

Customized collection of blocks condensed into a single block

Why use a My Block? Saves screen space & simplifies look of your

program Creates a “program” that can be used multiple

times within a single block or program. Hints:

If you change anything within a My Block, it changes that My Block throughout your programming.

Double click the My Block to see what’s inside it.

My Blocks: Now it’s your turn…

Objective: Learn to create a My Block

We’re going to… Create a simple program and make it into a My Block

Telling your NXT where to go… Using the information that we’ve already

learned… How can you use a loop to determine your NXT’s

location on the board? Would it be more accurate if your robot had

multiple Touch and Light Sensors? Why or why not?

Hints: If you tell your robot to “square” to a wall or a line,

is it in a more accurate position on the board than telling your robot to move X number of rotations?

How does the position of the Light/Touch Sensor on the robot affect the programming?

Telling your NXT where to go… Using the information that we’ve already

learned… How can you use a Touch Sensor with a loop to:

Find a wall How can you use a Light Sensor with a loop to:

Find a line

Telling your NXT where to go… Find a wall

Find a line

Telling your NXT where to go… Using the information that we’ve already

learned… Using 2 Touch Sensors can you modify your “Find a

Wall” program to: Square to Wall

Telling your NXT where to go… Square to wall

Telling your NXT where to go… Using the information that we’ve already

learned… Using 2 Light Sensors can you modify your “Find a

Line” program to: Square to Line

Telling your NXT where to go… Square to line

Telling your NXT where to go… Using the information that we’ve already

learned… How can you use a Light Sensor with a switch to:

Follow a line

Telling your NXT where to go… Follow a line

Master Programs: The King of the NXT-G World (insert evil laugh here)… Master Programs are:

A program that runs all the table top missions as a single mission It breaks the missions into individual sections, pausing

between each, waiting for input from the NXT brick before proceeding to the next one.

Why use a Master Program? Saves space Eliminates stressful searching for programs on

NXT brick during competition

Kudos and credit where it’s due: We couldn’t do it without you… Cindy Bryden Dan Monroe Cougar FLL Team Programming Lego Mindstorms NXT by Owen

Bishop http://

www.amazon.com/gp/product/1597492787/ref=oss_product

Created October 2010 by: Nick and Sherri Behr