Sensors Design Board

The World of Sensors (WoS) Design Board, a complete and easy-to-use development platform for Zilog’s series of Mini-Z? stamp modules, is designed to provide engineers, students and enthusiasts a simple-to-use platform for developing prototypes and projects incorporating multiple sensors.

Step 1: Sensors Design Board

The World of Sensors (WoS) Design Board, a complete and easy-to-use development platform for Zilog’s series of Mini-Z™ stamp modules, is designed to provide engineers, students and enthusiasts a simple-to-use platform for developing prototypes and projects incorporating multiple sensors.

Figure 1  Zilog’s World of Sensors Design Board

These sensors range from simple weather terminals to robotics. Engineered to capitalize on the advanced functionality of Zilog’s series of Mini-Z modules, the WoS Design Board showcases the interaction of these sensors independent of the module being used, enabling even more creative projects by just swapping out modules.

Although it is designed to wrok best with Zilog’s series of Mini-Z modules, the WoS Design Board is compatible with other vendors’ basic stamp modules. In essence, you can begin your project with what you already have and add a Mini-Z Module later when you are ready for its extra features. The WoS Design Board uses a USB-to-serial converter so that you no longer need to find a converter or a serial port.

The WoS Design Board, shown in Figure 1, is based on Zilog’s ZNEO Z16F Series MCU. It is designed to operate by either a 9 V battery or an external power supply. Figure 2 shows the Board with a battery and a Mini-Z™ Z-PAN® Module mounted onto it. Note the Reset button, which is highlighted in the figure.

Figure 2  Zilog’s World of Sensors Design Board with Module Attached

World of Sensors Features

The World of Sensors Design Board indeed includes a world of sensing technology with which you can easily experiment, including:

• Seven Different Sensors on different peripherals
  - Accelerometer
  - Ambient Light Sensor
  - Humidity
  - Microphone
  - Pressure Sensor
  - Proximity Sensor
  - Temperature Sensor
• Serial LCD display
• USB serial communications: no more serial cables required
• Operated by battery or external power
• Compatible with the Parallax Basic Stamp programming boards, the Basic Micro ATOM Pro and Zilog’s series of Mini-Z™ modules

Potential Applications

Every Mini-Z™ Module is preloaded with a boot loader and control shell. The shell application provides access to the Modules and to the Design Board that the module attaches to. The Mini-Z Library provides control of the sensors’ functionality directly through the shell.