How Can an Aerospace Engineer Start Learning Hardware Programming for Robotics?

[GreenLRan]

I know several languages (C++, Python, FORTRAN, etc..), but most of the programming I have done never has had any real/physical interaction with hardware.

I've never used micro-controllers, and would like to start tinkering around in the robotics field.

Can anyone suggest any good books to get me up and running? I have an Aerospace Engineering and Physics background.

Thanks

 

[zhermes]

I'm not sure about books, but what worked well for me was getting a simple FPGA board to play around with (Xilinx has some great stuff, e.g. the "spartan 3" board). Any books on 'verilog' would be helpful as well. I'm not sure why, but I found hardware languages to be much easier to learn by experimentation (as apposed to just reading a book), than software languages like C, etc.

 

[physiker_192]

I would advise against starting with FPGAs, since as a beginner the only thing you can probably do is run the demos. Also there aren't many cheap FPGAs, the cheapest I know of is the Altera Bemicro (also, they are not so easy to interface with arbitrary real hardware unlike microcontrollers) :
http://www.altera.com/b/nios-bemicro-evaluation-kit.html

FPGAs are more flexible but they require a knowledge of an HDL language (VHDL or Verilog) and a good understanding of the hardware and the evaluation board.

Microcontrollers are much simpler, of the books that I used, I found this one to be good (based on Assembly, not C/C++):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/013119402X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

So if you have a simple and cheap 8051 based microcontroller, you can start with that book (or any other book) and look for recipes online to do some projects later.

This is my view, other folks may have different opinions.

note: by a good book, I mean that it sufficed for the course/lecture I was having.

 

[story645]

FPGAs are all wrong for intro robots stuff, as they teach you to describe the hardware, not talk to it.

For intro robotics, I really can't rec the various Arduino boards enough. Simple C like syntax that gets you talking to a board fast, thinking about port i/o, and doing all sorts of shiny things. Plus there's a great community for it.

 

[rezeew]

As a fellow scientist, I can understand your interest in learning to program hardware. It is a valuable skill to have in the field of robotics, where physical interaction with hardware is essential. I would recommend starting with a basic understanding of micro-controllers and their functions. There are many resources available online, such as tutorials and forums, that can help you get started.

In terms of books, I would recommend "Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches" by Simon Monk. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to programming micro-controllers using the popular Arduino platform. It covers topics such as basic electronics, programming concepts, and interfacing with sensors and actuators.

Another helpful book is "Robot Builder's Bonanza" by Gordon McComb. This book covers everything from basic electronics to advanced robotics concepts, making it a great resource for beginners and experienced programmers alike.

I also suggest exploring online communities and forums dedicated to robotics and micro-controller programming. These can be great places to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from others' experiences.

Overall, the key to learning to program hardware is to start with the basics and practice regularly. With your background in Aerospace Engineering and Physics, I have no doubt you will quickly pick up the necessary skills and excel in the field of robotics programming. Good luck on your learning journey!