SunSPOT makes an excellent application brain for TrackBot. One SPOT kit gives you a base station and two mobile SPOTs - enough for two TrackBots. Each SPOT kit includes a plastic mounting clip. The SPOT eDemo board (that's what the sensor board is called) has a set of 2x10 pads for connection to external I/O, but there is no connector or adapter installed, so you need to choose your connector option and do a bit of soldering yourself. Each SPOT kit includes a low-profile 2x10 socket for use with a male/pin type ribbon cable connector, or a pin-to-pin adapter with a standard IDC ribbon cable. We call this low-profile socket the "Sun" connector option. Or you can solder in a more rugged, taller, and lower cost 2x10 pin header on SPOT's eDemo and use a rugged and low cost IDC ribbon cable receptacle to connect between TrackBot and SPOT. We call this the "Systronix" option. The Sun connector approach allows you to still use the SPOT "Sun roof" when you aren't using the external cable, and you can poke solid breadboard wire into the socket, but the pin ribbon connector or pin-to-pin adapter are expensive and relatively fragile. The Systronix option doesn't allow you to use the Sun roof or plug in wires (you can plug on standard .025" prototyping jumpers or clip leads) but is much more rugged and less expensive. We recommend the Systronix approach for classroom use/abuse, and we use it ourselves.
To mount SPOT to TrackBot you need:
The plastic clip which lets you snap SPOT onto TrackBot - this comes with your SPOT kit.
Some mounting hardware (available from us) which must be the correct size to not interfere with SPOT or TrackBot's internal battery pack.
A SunSPOT-to-TrackBot cable which connects SPOT's serial port to TrackBot. There are multiple options for this, depending on the mating connector you use on SPOT's eDemo board.
You will need to solder a header - there are at least two options for that - into the SPOT eDemo board.
One of our chargers (or use your own 1 amp max 7.2V R/C charger with our Tamiya adapter)
A way to update TrackBot's runtime firmware such as an Atmel AVRISP2, Dragon or similar programmer. Available from Systronix, DigiKey and other vendors
(li>Optional: a short USB cable for powering and recharging SPOT from the TrackBot power system.
Please order your Sun SPOT kit direct from Sun. Educational pricing (or even free kits) may be available through Sun sales offices or online at www.sunspotworld.com.
If you already have SPOTs, you can get everything else you need in our TrackBot-SPOT Starter Kit below.
Help with Starter Kits:
If you are ordering only one TrackBot:
Order a Starter Kit #3. If you already have an AVR programmer, you can order Starter Kit #3A.
Add options such as Cliff Sensors
If you are ordering multiple TrackBots:
Order at least one Starter Kit #3. If you already have an AVR programmer, you can order Starter Kit #3A.
The remaining TrackBots can be Starter Kit #3A, or TrackBot BASIC plus the SPOT clip mounting hardware and SPOT-to-TrackBot cable.
Add options such as Cliff Sensors.
You can share a battery charger with two or three TrackBots. One AVR programmer is sufficient for any number of TrackBots.
Special combination of TrackBot Basic and everything else you need to update TrackBot firmware and use Sun SPOT as the Application Brain. If you are using SPOT with TrackBot, you should order at least one of these kits. This kit includes:
TrackBot Basic
Battery Charger (600 mA 7.2 V)
One TrackBot-to-SunSPOT ribbon cable with SPOT header (you will need to solder the header into SPOT's eDemo board).
AVRISP2 AVR Programmer for updating TrackBot firmware
SPOT clip mounting hardware
SPOT clip (shown installed in photo) comes with your SPOT kit from Sun.
Special short USB cable to power and charge SPOT from the TrackBot power system.
Quantity
1
2 - 9
10+
Price
$597.00
$587.00
$577.00
TrackBot Starter Kit #3A for Sun SPOT
Same as Starter Kit 3A, but without the AVRISP programmer. This kit includes:
TrackBot Basic
Battery Charger (600 mA 7.2 V)
One TrackBot-to-SunSPOT ribbon cable with Systronix SPOT header (you will need to solder the header into SPOT's eDemo board).
SPOT clip mounting hardware
SPOT clip (shown installed in photo) comes with your SPOT kit from Sun. You install this yourself.
Special short USB cable to power and charge SPOT from the TrackBot power system.
Quantity
1
2 - 9
10+
Price
$547.00
$537.00
$527.00
TrackBot-SPOT Cable (Systronix)
10x2 100-mil receptacle to receptacle
4-inch ribbon cable, folded per photo
10x2 100-mil header included (for SPOT);
you solder the short end into the eDemo board.
Or use the special round-pin header included in new SPOT kits. It mates nicely with this receptacle.
Use between TrackBot and SunSPOTs which have
a 10x2 header installed in the eDemo board.
Also use to connect SunSPOT eDemo to your own
external signals.
This connector option is needed to connect the SPOT eDemo board 10x2 header (included here or in new SPOT kits, soldering required) to the matching TrackBot header. Alternatively, you can use the "SUN Original TrackBot-SPOT cable" available from Systronix. Read about using SPOT as the TrackBot application brain here.
Extra 10x2 headers are available for use in 0.1-inch patterns on proto boards, etc. This enables using one cable on a number of SPOT targets.
$12.00
SpotClipMtgHdwr
Mounting hardware to attach the plastic clip (included in each SPOT development kit) to TrackBot.
Two machine screws and other hardware.
Requires careful removal of the TrackBot system board from the TrackBot chassis for installation (see these instructions). You will also need #2 and #1 Phillips screwdrivers, and a small adjustable wrench or pliers.
