| Summary: | This thesis shows how to replace a microcontroller unit (MCU) on a six legged robot,involving adapting hardware and developing software. The robot is based on themechanics from Lynxmotion’s Phoenix Hexapod Robot, which is a mechanical vehiclewith 6 legs and 18 servos. The robot is controlled by two controller boards, whichwith available software can run pre-made movement sequences or be controlled by aPlaystation2 hand controller. One of the controller boards needs to be replaced byanother more powerful MCU from another manufacturer. The new MCU comesfrom Avnet-Memec, which is a major semiconductor components distributor. Theywant to use the Hexapod Robot as a platform for demonstrating the capabilities ofthe franchises on their line card to attract potential customer's interest andawareness. The original Basic Atom Pro 28 MCU needs for that purpose to bereplaced with hardware from an Avnet-Memec franchise. Avnet-Memec has decidedto use the circuit board MBS270 from Mobisense Systems based on theARM-processor Marvel PXA270 running Embedded Linux operating system. Theproject was successful and resulted in a Phoenix Hexapod Robot with a new morepowerful and versatile MCU from an Avnet-Memec franchise. The robot can runpre-made movement sequences as with the old MCU, but now with a much morepowerful processor with support for features like wifi, video acquisition and muchmore. The robot was shown by Avnet-Memec at the Scandinavian Electronics Eventfair 2010 in Älvsjö, Stockholm, Sweden, and was appreciated among visitors and otherexhibitors.
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