This is the Revision A version of the Tether RoboBrick. The status of this project is that it has been replaced by the revision B version.

Tether Robobrick (Revision A)

Table of Contents

This document is also available as a PDF document.

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Hardware
  • 2.1 Circuit Schematic
  • 2.2 Printed Circuit Board
• 3. Issues

1. Introduction

The Tether RoboBrick is a RoboBrick that connects a master RoboBrick to a computer via a stanadard 4-wire telephone cord extension. A picture is shown below:

2. Hardware

The hardware consists of a circuit schematic and a printed circuit board.

2.1 Circuit Schematic

The schematic for the Tether RoboBrick is shown below:

The parts list kept in a separate file -- tether.ptl.

2.2 Printed Circuit Board

The printed circuit board files are listed below:

tether_back.png

The solder side layer is shown below:

tether_front.png

The component side layer is shown below:

tether_artwork.png

The optional artwork layer is shown below:

tether.gbl

The RS-274X "Gerber" back (solder side) layer.

tether.gtl

The RS-274X "Gerber" top (component side) layer.

tether.gal

The RS-274X "Gerber" artwork layer.

tether.drl

The "Excellon" NC drill file.

tether.tol

The "Excellon" NC drill rack file.

3. Issues

The revision A Tether RoboBrick has the following issues:

• The Lego peg holes did not line up properly.
• The pegs for the RJ11 sockets did not line up properly.
• Move the electrolytic capacitor to the right some so it is not so close to the RJ11 socket.
• Try not to run a trace between the pins of the 2x5 header on the solder side of the board.
• Figure out whether 1 µF or .1 µF capacitors are needed for the MAX232.
• Move the pin 1 label so that a big 2x5 header will not cover it.