Electronic Components and Their Usage in robotics
Electronics is one of the fundamental part of robotics which provides robotes an ability to sense their surroundings, process information, and perform different actions. A robotic system is basically the combination of Electronics components which helps the a system to operate Autonomousely or according to the commands written humans on it in programming Language.
Here we will discuss about the Electronic components which are used in Robotics.
- Microcontroller
- Mottor Drivers
- Sensors
- Motors and Actuators
- Power supply Components
- Transistors and MOSFET’S
- Communication Modules
- Displays and Indicators
Microcontroller Boards
Microcontroller boards are electronic devices which can be able to process data and control all the peripheral devices (I/O). It works like a mini computer which has the capabality to store, Process and perform any type of task according to its manufacture. The Microcontroller boards are designed to receive signals from sensors, process the information according to programmed and control other devices such as motors, LEDs, relays, and servos. In robotics, microcontroller boards act as the main control unit that coordinates different electronic and mechanical components of a robot. Mostely we Consider the Microccontroller boards and microprocessor same but they are totally different from each other.Understand the difference between the Microcontroller and Micoprocessors.
Here are some commenly used Microcontrollers Boards
Arduino Boards
These are open-source microcontroller based electronic boards designed for controlling electronic and robotic systems. It receives input signals from sensors, process them according to program written in it and generate output signals to control components such as motors, LEDs, and servos.
Here are some Commonely used Example of using Arduino Boards in Roboticssuch as in line following robots, obstacle-avoiding robots, robotic arms, and automation projects.
Esp-32 Boards
ESP32 is a microcontroller based development board that provides processing capabilities along with built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication. It reads data from sensors, processes the information using programmed instructions, and controls connected devices while also allowing wireless communication. Usage: ESP32 is widely used in IoT robots, remotely controlled robots, smart systems, and robots requiring wireless connectivity.
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is a series of small single board computers that can run operating systems and execute software applications. It processes data from connected sensors and devices and can control hardware through its GPIO pins using programmed instructions. Raspberry Pi boards are used in robotics for computer vision, autonomous robots, sensor monitoring, robotic arms, and communication-based projects.
Jetson Nano is a small single-board computer designed for running artificial intelligence and machine-learning applications. It uses its CPU and GPU to process large amounts of data, including images and video, and can run AI models for tasks such as object detection and image recognition.In robotics, Jetson Nano is used for computer vision, autonomous navigation, object detection, and AI-based robotic systems.
Motor Drivers in Robotics
Motor drivers are used in robotics to control motors because microcontroller boards cannot usually provide enough current to operate motors directly. A motor driver acts as an interface between the microcontroller and the motor, allowing the controller to safely manage the motor’s speed, direction, and movement.
Here are some Comonely used Motor drivers.
L298N
L298N is a dual H-bridge motor driver module used to control DC motors and stepper motors. It receives control signals from a microcontroller and uses them to control the direction and speed of motors. It is commonly used in robotic cars, line-following robots, and other projects that require control of two DC motors.
L293D
L293D is a dual H-bridge motor driver IC designed to control DC motors and small stepper motors. It uses input signals from a microcontroller to control the direction and operation of connected motors. It is widely used in small robots, robotic vehicles, and basic motor-control circuits.
TB6612FNG
TB6612FNG is a compact dual motor driver used to control two DC motors or one stepper motor. It receives logic signals from a microcontroller and controls the speed and direction of the motors using its two H-bridge circuits. It is commonly used in battery-powered robots, small robotic vehicles, and projects where efficient motor control is required.
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Sensors used in Robotics
Sensors are electronic devices that detect and measure physical conditions or changes in the environment and convert them into electrical signals process. A sensor detects a specific physical quantity, such as distance, temperature, light, pressure, or motion, and sends the corresponding data to a microcontroller or computer. Sensors allow robots to interact with their surroundings and perform tasks such as obstacle detection, line following, navigation, object detection, temperature monitoring, and automatic control.
There are Several kinds of Sensors Which are widely used in Robotics and in electronics.
- Temperature Sensor :
- Voltage Sensor:
- Humidity Sensor:
- Water Level sensor:
- Ultrasonic Sensor:
- IR sensor:
Motors and Actuators
Motors and actuators are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical movement, allowing robots to perform physical actions.They produces rotational or linear motion.Motors and actuators are used in robotics for the movements of wheels, robotic arms, joints, grippers, and other mechanical parts.
Commonly used Motors are :
- DC motors
- Servo motors
- Stepper motors
Power Supply Components
Power supply components are electronic devices that provide and regulate the electrical power required by different parts of a robotic system. A battery or power source supplies electrical energy, while components such as voltage regulators, buck converters, and boost converters adjust the voltage to suitable levels for circuits and motors. They are used to provide stable and reliable power to microcontrollers, sensors, motor drivers, motors, and other electronic components of a robot.
Here are some Commenly used Voltage regulators in Robotics or Electrionic systems.
- Buck convertor
- Boost Convertor
Why the Robotes uses DC Power supply Rather Then Ac Power Supply?
The DC power is convenient for battery powered and Most of the Robotic Components operates on Dc Supply Like Sensors , Motor Drivers, Controllers etc.