Using Lego for Control

Abstract

Now that all the modules for the User Port and the Analogue Port have been introduced, they can be utilised to build examples of computer control. There are many such examples that could be built. However, just one application is described in this chapter in order to give the reader a starting point for developing his or her own ideas. This project is an integration of programming techniques, computer interfacing and model making that at first sight appears quite simple, but in practice requires thought and care if it is to work correctly. The difficulties are not those anticipated, and the project highlights the sorts of problem that are often encountered in automated systems. The project will be described in some detail in order to illustrate these difficulties and the methods used to overcome them. Some of the problems are overcome by improving the design, others by improving the software.