O.R.E. - Our Control Boards

Our Controller Boards

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the original IgORE | IgORE2 | MiniORE | Micro-ORE | Datasheets

The original IgORE

So, what is an IgORE?

First, IgORE doesn't actually stand for anything, other than the ORE part anyways.

IgORE was the small square controller board found on the mini-sumo's. It was a project put forward in the fall of 2002 that brought out a whack of new people that participated in a build. It was a lot of fun to build, and is quite powerful.

The board was designed to have the maximum amount of expandibility and use, based around a MicroChip PIC processor. It was originally meant to be for SUMO's but could legitimately be the brains for any other 'bot.

Besides the hardware, a number of people built software libraries in 'C' specifically for the board. (although it can likely be used on any 18F452 based board), and it got a lot of new people started.

(Click on a picture for a larger version)

Files

Libraries- (Dec 8th, 2002)
Example code - (Dec 8th, 2002)
Setting up the IgORE compiler environment (Microsoft Word)
Schematic (Eagle) (PDF)
Layout (Eagle)
Board Description (PDF)
Header Description (PDF)
Parts list (PDF)
Assembly guide (PDF)

The IgORE2 board

This is a revised edition of our original IgORE board, with a smaller foot print for the microcontroller, while utilizing the I2C bus for peripheral chips. This board will still fit inside the mini-sumo size constraints, but has plenty of power for larger robot platforms.

Files

PCB & schematic(eagle)
Igore2Lib(zip)

The Igore2 code is the same as the Igore1 code but with the timing values changed for 40Mhz operation and some code added for the I2C expansion IC.

The MiniORE board

The MiniORE is a 2 layer design, with chips mounted both on top and bottom of the board. It is based around the Microchip PIC18F2620 controller. The board is very full featured:

64k of program memory
4k of internal ram
1k of internal eeprom
Up to 128k of external eeprom on-board
2 full h-bridges for driving two motors
RS232 level translator for serial communications with PC
dual on-board regulators to separate logic and peripherals
2 i2c connectors
2 servo connectors
2 bumper I/O (digital)
3 ground IR connectors (analog)
2 sharp IR distance sensors inputs (analog)
in-circuit debugging header
an addition 7 general I/Os (mix of analog and digital) for general use
On-board push-button switch (for reset or general use)
status led (for general use)

All in a 2 inch by 2 inch board.

Chips to get:

The 18F2620 chips can be sampled for free from Microchip. You want the PIC18F2620-I/SO device
The 24LC512-I/SM memory chip
L293D hbridge samples (PDIP package)
MAX3232CPWR (actually any MAX3232 as long as it is TSSOP package) or you can sample the MAX3232 from www.maxim-ic.com