Intellecta Technologies Pty Ltd

for PICAXE education, Roland CAM, Techsoft CAD, Intellecta control, Atmel, Arm and Microchip education

Intellecta - connections to real world system

The Intellecta system is a combination of simple-to-use software that runs on a computer and an interface panel that connects to motors, lights, sensors and switches.

The system provides an ideal working environment for problem solving in a number of areas such as:

• developing skills in logic and electronics
• developing skills in thinking and prototyping ideas
• using the system in science investigations through self-directed activities
• using the system to explore inventions and control of mechanisms via the area of mechatronics

How does it work?

The Intellecta software uses icons that represent switches, lights, sensors, motors and counters. These icons are selected from the tool bar or the Place menu.

Icons are grouped into two classes.

The switches, lights, sensors, counters and motors are the input-output icons.

The rest of the icons supply the process functions such as timers, decisions, logic gates, amplifers and data loggers..

The final set of linked icon is called a strategy.

It is easy to show the power of the system and the ease of use by students. There is no need to expect a canned solution to a problem. Students can define their own solution and appreciate the problem solving approach.

More importantly, the innovative worksheet environment means that students learn good habits by breaking the problem down into manageable pieces.

Icon Properties

Every icon has its own special internal properties that is selected by doubling clicking on the icon.

These properties are important because the icons placed on the screen are generic. That is, the switch icon is just a representation of an element that can be off or on. However, there might be 8 switches on an interface panel and the strategy must be linked to real switches on the model.

The property also gives the user to actually name the device so it makes sense on the strategy. Otherwise there could be 8 switches on the screen with no order.

The property can set up options such as:

• The connection of the icon to the interface panel
• The sample rate of the data logger icon
• The various options for logic gates
• The actual name of the switch in relation to the model ( front switch, stop switch)

Connection to Interfaces

The interface panel serves to connect the operation of the software to actual hardware devices such as motors, switches,lights and sensors.

The interface panel also serves as a power supply for these devices and connection to the computer that runs the Intellecta software.

Note that the interface panel must be connected to the computer to run the system. The software is not downloaded to the interface panel..

The Intellecta system can control a variety of interfaces such as the Control 1, Control2, Control 3 and others.e