CHRP 2.0

CHRP 2.0 circuit photo

CHRP resources

CHRP 2.0 schematic diagram (152kB PDF).

CHRP 2.0 parts layout (172kB PDF).

PIC16F886 simplified block diagram.

CHRP 2.0 Gerber files (148kB ZIP).

CHRP 2.0 parts list (92kB XLS).

CHRP - Common Hardware Robotics Project

We call it CHRP ('chirp'). CHRP was created to help highschool students learn about electronics and computer technology in a fun, hands-on way. It's also great for introductory to advanced college and univeristy courses. The capabilities of the CHRP board are designed to grow as the students progress, providing level-appropriate challenges for each grade (10-11-12). CHRP is cost effective, since students build it in stages, adding new parts, and new capabilities, each year.

CHRP is versatile. You can use CHRP to create rolling robots, walking robots, animatronics, alarm circuits, games, sound generators, weather stations, automated houses, computer peripherals, data loggers, and much more!

CHRP 2.0 family photo

These three different variations of the CHRP board correspond to the hardware requirements and software sophistication of the programming activities below - level 1, level 2, level 3.

Build a CHRP

What you will need

A CHRP printed circuit board. You can buy one from the products page. If you need many CHRP boards, you can save money by buying directly from our pcb supplier. Or, download the CHRP Gerber files (above) and have your preferred pcb facility make them.

Parts. All of the electronic components can be ordered from Digi-Key (www.digikey.com) using the part numbers in the CHRP parts spreadsheet (above).

Tools - soldering iron, electronic solder, solder flux remover, needle-nose pliers, screwdriver, and diagonal cutters.

CHRP construction activities PDF

  1. CHRP Schematic Scavenger Hunt
  2. CHRP Activity 1 - Resistors
  3. CHRP Activity 1.1 - Series Circuits
  4. CHRP Activity 1.2 - Parallel Circuits
  5. CHRP Activity 2 - Diodes
  6. CHRP Activity 2.1 - Diode Rectifiers
  7. CHRP Activity 2.2 - LEDs
  8. CHRP Activity 3 - Capacitors
  9. CHRP Activity 3.1 - Capacitor Filtering.
  10. CHRP Activity 4 - Voltage Regulator
  11. CHRP Activity 5 - Digital Inputs

Program CHRP

What you will need

Microchip's MPLAB IDE (www.microchip.com) or another PIC assembler, and Microchip's PICkit-2 USB programmer/downloader.

A CHRP (of course!)—any of the three levels will work for the level 1 activities.

A Windows compatible PC with a free USB port.

Batteries or a power supply to power the CHRP.

Getting started

Assembly code

MPLAB tutorial

CHRP programming activities

Level 1

  1. Output program
  2. Count program
  3. Chaser program
  4. Input program
  5. Analogue input program
  6. Math program
  7. Decision program
  8. Loops program
  9. Time delay loops program
  10. Included subroutine program
  11. CHRP robot program

Advanced programs

Sound, light and communication programs

Level 2

  1. Jump table program
  2. Sound program
  3. Pulse-width-modulation (PWM) program
  4. Multi-output PWM program
  5. Servo program
  6. Data conversion program
  7. Serial transmit program
  8. Serial receive program
  9. IR receive program
  10. IR transmit program

Level 3

  1. Interrupt programming
  2. LCD display program
  3. LCD custom character program
  4. User interface programming