What do you think?
Rate this book
Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level
Brand New
- GenresHow To
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 15, 2012
This is a great book with a lot of interesting ideas. Details how to build a variety of sensors including:
An ohmmeter sensor
Temperature sensor (this one is excellent - showing exactly which components can be used to replicate the RCX temperature sensor)
Light and Color sensors
Angular sensor
Joystick
Two types of (pneumatic) pressure sensors
Voltmeter sensor
Magnetism sensor (hall effect)
Current sensor
I2C capable sensors (one purely digital, one using an analog-to-digital converter)
The "magic wand" project featured on the cover uses an I2C interface and is well documented in the book.
On the output (motor) side, the authors describe using the outputs to power relays instead of motors, as well as low voltage lamps, etc. They also show how to use relays to enable a higher voltage/current circuit that is independent from the NXT power source.
All in all, it's a great book with a lot of good ideas and helpful information. My only complaint is that the book glazes over some details that would have been helpful to discuss in greater depth. In particular, things like whether the motor's H-Bridge is internal to the NXT, or if it's contained in the motor itself (after further study I found that it's internal to the NXT). Likewise, it would have been nice to see actual schematics of the stock NXT sensors, rather than just photos of their interiors.
Really, the tough thing for the authors is that there is a huge amount of material required for understanding circuit design. They can't cover it all, but it seems like a little more depth in a few places would have been helpful (at least for me).
There's an updated (second) edition, though, so perhaps that has already addressed them.
Regardless, it's worth the time to read.
An ohmmeter sensor
Temperature sensor (this one is excellent - showing exactly which components can be used to replicate the RCX temperature sensor)
Light and Color sensors
Angular sensor
Joystick
Two types of (pneumatic) pressure sensors
Voltmeter sensor
Magnetism sensor (hall effect)
Current sensor
I2C capable sensors (one purely digital, one using an analog-to-digital converter)
The "magic wand" project featured on the cover uses an I2C interface and is well documented in the book.
On the output (motor) side, the authors describe using the outputs to power relays instead of motors, as well as low voltage lamps, etc. They also show how to use relays to enable a higher voltage/current circuit that is independent from the NXT power source.
All in all, it's a great book with a lot of good ideas and helpful information. My only complaint is that the book glazes over some details that would have been helpful to discuss in greater depth. In particular, things like whether the motor's H-Bridge is internal to the NXT, or if it's contained in the motor itself (after further study I found that it's internal to the NXT). Likewise, it would have been nice to see actual schematics of the stock NXT sensors, rather than just photos of their interiors.
Really, the tough thing for the authors is that there is a huge amount of material required for understanding circuit design. They can't cover it all, but it seems like a little more depth in a few places would have been helpful (at least for me).
There's an updated (second) edition, though, so perhaps that has already addressed them.
Regardless, it's worth the time to read.
July 27, 2010
I just ordered this from amazon. it should get here any day now!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews