Exploring BeagleBone: Tools and Techniques for Building with Embedded Linux

CHAPTER 9 Interacting with the Physical Environment

In this chapter you can learn how to build on your knowledge of GPIO and bus interfacing. In particular, you can combine hardware and software in order to provide the BBB with the ability to interact with its physical environment in the following three ways: First, by controlling actuators such as motors, the BBB can affect its environment, which is very important for applications such as robotics and home automation. Second, the BBB can gather information about its physical environment by communicating with sensors. Third, by interfacing to display modules, the BBB can present information. This chapter explains how each of these interactions can be performed. Physical interaction hardware and software provides you with the capability to build advanced projects; for example, to build a robotic platform that can sense and interact with its environment. The chapter ends by presenting a framework that enables you to remotely control the BBB using a wired serial connection or a wireless Bluetooth connection to a desktop computer or mobile device.

Equipment Required for This Chapter:

• BeagleBone Black, DMM, and oscilloscope
• DC motor and H‐bridge interface board
• Stepper motor and EasyDriver interface board
• Op‐amps (LM358, MCP6002/4), Diodes, Resistors, 5 V Relay
• Sharp infrared distance sensor
• 74HC595 serial shift registers
• Seven‐segment display modules
• LCD character display module
• ADXL335 analog three‐axis accelerometer
• Bluetooth ...