Steve part 4
3.3V Supply and mounted TinyFPGA-BX

May 2019

STEVE’s new look

orginal image
A 3.3V supply has been added to drive the TinyFPGA-BX and other 3.3V devices. Once the power supply was tuned (tiny multiturn pot) some nail polish was painted on the screw so it does not move. The 10V rail (8 AA , NiMH) has been covered with Kapton tape to avoid accidental shorts.

There is also a 5<->3.3V signal converter, so there are 8 lines that can be broken out to the other side of STEVE.

orginal image

The switch panel has been updated with better connectors and has been soldered to the middle layer. this makes it much more stable and looks significantly better.

orginal image

This photo has the top board remove showing the new battery pack, it is 8AA nickel metal hydrides connected in series , providing just under 10V and enough amps to run the motors. The H-Bridge controller had to be turned down as STEVE kept on doing wheelies on a fullpower start

orginal image
All layers taken apart. The main construction uses 3mm Caphead bolts, so an allenkey is all you need
orginal image
This is the underside of all three levels showing the signal and power distrubuition.

The next big task is to connect to BX to the Arduino and write some control systems.

Other things to do

  • mount and drive the compass
  • mount and write software for the radio module ( use the other BX for the other end )
  • investigate more sensors

Steve continues to evolve. Now there is a BX onboard FPGa development can continue.