Systems Thinking with Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit

After the huge success of the two previous MOOCs from the University of Texas at Austin, Embedded Systems: Shape The World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.6.02x and Real-Time Bluetooth Networks: Shape the World — MOOC edX UTAustinX UT.RTBN.12.01x, Texas Instruments is partnering again with Dr. Jonathan Valvano for the new course Systems Thinking with Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit, or TI-RSLK for short.

This curriculum is more a MOOC for teachers than for students. It provides all the material so the teacher can customise and deliver a course on embedded systems.

The interesting part is the project isn't limited to electronics and computing, but enlarge the scope with mechanics as well. So Systems Thinking is a very appropriate title for this course.

The official poster for TI-RSLK

The Curriculum

The curriculum includes 20 + 2 modules. Modules with a * are part of the fast-track curriculum.

Getting Started
Module 1 - Running Code on the LaunchPad using CCS *
Module 2 - Voltage, Current and Power *
Module 3 - ARM Cortex M *
Module 4 - Software Design using MSP432 *
Module 5 - Battery and Voltage Regulation *
Module 6 - GPIO *
Module 7 - Finite State Machines *
Module 8 - Interfacing Input and Output *
Module 9 - SysTick Timer
Module 10 - Debugging Real-Time Systems
Module 11 - Liquid Crystal Display
Module 12 - DC Motors *
Module 13 - Timers
Module 14 - Real-Time Systems *
Module 15 - Data Acquisition Systems *
Module 16 - Tachometer *
Module 17 - Control Systems *
Module 18 - Serial Communication
Module 19 - Bluetooth Low Energy
Module 20 - Wi-Fi
Compete Challenges

Learning Modules and Curriculum Pathways, from "Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit: The Maze Edition" (SWRP242)

The fast-track curriculum

What's on a Module

Each module includes documents and videos for introduction, lectures, lab, activity and quiz.

Contrary to previous MOOCs, this one uses Code Composer Studio, the official IDE based on Eclipse.

However, the same TExaS utility used in previous MOOCs is available. It brings a logic analyser with 7 digital channels at 10 kHz sampling.

On the right, an example for module 10 with 5 documents and 3 videos.

Hands On!

A new version of the kit is available, the Robotics System Learning Kit Max (TI-RLSK-MAX), with no soldering required.

The kit comes in a big black box, with all the component to build the robot. The kit was sampled by Texas Instruments University.

There are three kits available:

The TI-RSLK Basic kit includes all the components to build the robot.
The TI-RSLK Upgrade kit provides additional components like two tachometers, IR sensors, and CC2650 and CC3100 BoosterPacks for BLE and WiFi wireless communication and operation.
The TI-RSLK Advanced kit combines the TI-RLSK Basic kit and the TI-RSLK Upgrade kit.

A massive box with a handle

Although most of the mechanic parts come from Pololu with the dedicated page TI-RSLK Parts and Accessories, the kits are distributed by Farnell - element14.

The black box contains all the components, mechanic and electronic.

A cornucopia of mechanic and electronic components

My Own Experience

I had a lot of fun building the robot. The TI-RSLK Basic Kit Construction Guide provide the building instructions: they are clear and easy to follow, with helpful pictures. Some parts require soldering (motors page 11, bump switches page 13, right) but most of the components are connected with Dupont cables.

However, the guide mentions colours which are not available for the cables, like light and medium green (page 22), light and medium blue (page 22), lime and cyan (page 25).

I strongly recommend checking all the connections twice before powering the robot.

When connecting the MSP432 LaunchPad to the PC USB plug, the +5V and ground cables from the LaunchPad to the main board should be disconnected (page 24, right).

The main board is powered by batteries and may conflict with +5 provided by the PC through USB.
Similarly, the USB from the PC can't provide enough power if the batteries are removed.

Let's hope a revision of the main board will include protection diodes to prevent any issue.

Conclusion

The Texas Instruments Robotics System Learning Kit and its curriculum are impressive. They are aimed at teachers to build their own course rather on robotics rather than at hobbyists.

The only missing element is a building manual, so teachers can easily check whether a robot is built in conformity with the project.

Pros

All-in-one kit
Extensive learning material
Great labs with tools

Cons

Windows only
Some basic protection diodes missing

Wrap-Up

Be ready to invest time and effort to make this course successful