Makeblock MNE1A User Manual

@Makeblock

Technical support: [email protected]
Address: 4th Floor, Building C3, Nanshan iPark, No.1001 Xueyuan Avenue,
Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

www.makeblock.com

D1.1.2_KD010045000

neuron explorer kit

User Manual

Foreword

Thank you for purchasing Makeblock Neuron.

This manual mainly includes the detailed descriptions for each

block of the Neuron and the various combinations of blocks. We also

provide a quick start guide in our product package. Before you read

this manual, we recommend that you get to know how to play with the

Neuron by referring to the quick start guide.

For more examples and documents, please visit the website:

http://www.makeblock.com/steam-kits/neuron/

Energy & Communication Blocks

The energy & communication blocks can provide power for other blocks.

The communication blocks provide a variety of approaches to wireless communication,

which allows the wireless communication between blocks and mobile / tablet / computer, as well as wireless

communication among dierent block combinations.

Power Button

Micro USB Connector

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Battery Indicator

Block battery level display.

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Smart Power

Supply power to other blocks. The built-in Bluetooth block allows
you to connect the blocks to your phone or tablet and to program
the blocks.

Power Status Indicator

How does it work?

A. Supply power to other blocks.

Press the power button to power it on so that it can provide power to other blocks. To
turn it o, long press the power button for about 3 seconds until all lights are o.

If the smart power is turned on but is not connected to other blocks, it will be
automatically o aer 16 seconds. Double press the power button to cancel or

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restart the function.
Aer the smart power block is turned on, the initialization will take about
1 second and the power status indicator will keep solid green during the
initialization process.

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B. Connect Neuron to a mobile phone or tablet via Bluetooth and uses the Neuron app or
Swi Playgrounds to program the blocks.

The power status indicator will turn green when the Bluetooth connection is completed.

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C. Connect blocks to computer via a USB cable and use mBlock 5 to program the blocks.

The power status indicator will turn green when the connection is completed.

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01

Charge the smart power block

We recommend you to charge your smart power block when the last indicator is blinking.

Charge it via the power adapter(not included)

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Tips: Please charge the block every three months when you set it aside.

Specifications

Battery Capacity

Output Voltage

Input Voltage

Bluetooth transmission distance

Frequency Band

950mAh

DC 5V

DC 5V

Within 10 meters

2402 ~ 2480MHz

Input Current

Operating Temperature

Storage Temperature

Bluetooth Specification

Output Power Class

OR

Charge it via computer

1A

＜

0°C ~ 45°C

-10°C ~ 55°C

BT 4.0

≤ 4dBm

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Input Blocks

The input blocks receive information from the environment, such as sound, light, image or motion,

and the information is then converted into electrical signals. The signals will be transmitted to the output blocks

and instruct output blocks whether to responde or how to perform.

Input blocks are widely applied in daily life, like the light switch and the volume knob.

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Knob

Have a try!

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The knob is an input block which is used to adjust values. When you connect the knob to output
blocks, you can adjust the output eects by turning the knob. It's just like you adjust the volume by
turning the knob on the speaker in daily life.

Turn the knob clockwise.

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The buzzer will make
dierent sounds.

Press the power button

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Light Sensor

Have a try!

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The light sensor can detect the intensity of light in the surrounding environment. The stronger
the intensity of light received by the block, the stronger the output signal will be. In everyday life,
the brightness of mobile phone screen will automatically change in response to the ambient light
condition, which is credited to the light sensor.

Cover the light sensor with your hand.

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You will notice that the LED panel
becomes dark.

Press the power button

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Ranging Sensor

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Ranging sensor can be used to measure distance between the block and the obstacle.
Measurement range: 2cm ~ 200cm.

Science Tips Have a try!

How does the ranging sensor measure distance?

The ranging sensor includes an IR
transmitter and an IR receiver.

The IR transmitter emits infrared light
which will be reflected when it hit an
obstacle. Aer the reflected infrared light
is received by the IR receiver, the distance
between the obstacle and the block can
be calculated by the time lag between
transmission and reception.

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IR receiver

IR transmitter

IR receiver

IR transmitter

Place your hand over the ranging sensor and gradually
move your hand away from the sensor.

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Press the power button

More lights will turn red on the
LED panel.

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Have a try!

Temperature Sensor

Plug the temperature probe into the slot. The temperature sensor can detect temperatures ranging

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from -55°C to 125°C.
Accuracy: ±0.5°C ( -10°C ~ 85°C)

The probe cable of the temperature sensor may be damaged if temperature exceeds 100°C. Please use it carefully
to avoid damaging the device.

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Press the power button

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Temp

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LED

Place the temperature sensor probe in

The RGB lights on the LED strip
will light up one by one.

hot water.

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Funny Touch

funny touch

How does it work?

Plug the Funny Switch into the slot 1
plug the GND wire into the slot 2.

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Funny Touch

Funny

By connecting the Funny Touch to conductive objects (such as bananas, water) to turn the object into
a touch switch. Check the conduction status between the Funny Switch and the GND wire to achive
simple and fun eects.

，

Connect blocks and touch the metal part of Funny
Switch with one hand and the metal part of the
GND wire clip with another hand. Look, the blocks
chain starts to work now!

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Funny Touch

Funny

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Use a Funny Switch to clip on a conductive object,
such as a banana. Touch the banana with one
hand and the metal part of the GND wire clip with
another hand. See what will happen!

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Funny Touch

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Funny

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08

Colors of the
Funny Switches

Musical
alphabet

Sol-fa
syllables

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Funny Touch

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Funny

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Aer the Funny Touch is connected to the buzzer, you can touch
Funny Switches of dierent colors or touch several Funny Switches at
the same time. Listen, the buzzer is making dierent sounds!

Blue

Yellow

Red

Green

Red, Green

Yellow, Green

Yellow, Red, Green

Yellow, Red

Blue, Red, Green

Blue, Yellow, Red, Green

Blue, Green

Blue, Yellow, Green

Blue, Yellow, Red

Blue, Red

Blue, Yellow

C4

D4

E4

F4

G4

A4

B4

C5

D5

E5

E3

F3

G3

A3

B3

Do

Re

Mi

Fa

Sol

La

Ti

Do+

Re+

Mi+

Mi-

Fa-

Sol-

La-

Ti-

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Output Blocks

The output block receives the signal from the input block and gives corresponding responses,

such as making sounds and rotating the motor. In our everyday life, output blocks can be seen everywhere,

like neon lights, alarms and so on.

LED Strip Driver + LED Strip

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LED

LED

Insert the LED strip into the LED strip driver slot. The LED strip contains 15 RGB lights. With the

将灯带插到灯带驱动插槽。灯带包含15个

Neuron app or mBlock 5, you can program the RGB lights to change their colors.

程对模块编程可以改变

RGB

灯的颜色,发现更多乐趣。

RGB

灯。通过神经元

app

或慧编

Science Tips

Why do the RGB lights have so many colors?

The RGB is an addictive color model in which red, green and blue lights
add together to reproduce nearly 16.78 million colors.

Green

Red

Blue

Have a try!

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Press the power button

Turn the knob.

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See what will happen!

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LED

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Have a try!

LED Panel

The LED panel contains 64 RGB lights. With the Neuron app or Swi Playgrounds, you can program
the RGB lights to change their colors.

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Press the power button

Funny Touch

Funny

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Observe how the color changes on the LED panel.
Touch Funny Switches of dierent colors to create
dierent colors of yours!

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Try touching Funny Switch of dierent colors or try
touching multiple Funny Switches at the same time.

Buzzer

Have a try!

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The buzzer will make a sound when it receives an on signal. Programming the buzzer with the Neuron
app or Swi Playgrounds can get dierent sound eects.

The sound of the buzzer changes.

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Cover the light sensor
with your hands.

Press the power button

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Dual DC Motor Driver

Dual DC Motor Driver

The DC (Direct Current) motor driver can drive two DC motors simultaneously.

river

otor D

C M

D

The DC (Direct Current) motor driver can drive two DC motors simultaneously.

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Output sha

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DC Motor

Plug the motor into the dual DC motor driver’s slot. The DC motor includes an output sha. When
the motor driver receives an on signal, the output sha starts to rotate. The motor is compatible
with LEGO parts.

Motor Specifications

Rated Speed

Rated Current

Stall Torque

Stall Current

Gear Ration

12000±10% RPM

≤85 mA

≥ 28 gf.cm

≤0.88 A

1:48

Have a try!

Turn the knob.

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Press the power button

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DC Motor Driver

Motor

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Observe how the motor rotation
frequency changes.

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How does it work?

Building instructions

Dismantling instructions

Motor connector

Used to fix the motor and paper cra.

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Magnet Wire

Provide more flexible ways to connect blocks.

USB Cable

Used for power supply and data transmission.

Project Materials Package

We provide a wide range of building materials and electronic blocks. You can build your own
projects like Piano and LED Sword. To get access to building guides, please sign in for the Neuron
app or Swi Playgrounds.

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Why does the program stop running aer
exiting the Makeblock Neuron app?

Why does the Funny Touch block fail to
work properly?

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The smart power block can not store programs, so it
needs the app to run the program online.

It might be caused by the following reasons:
The power supply is unstable. Please use a high quality
power adapter or a high quality portable power.

Mistakenly plug the Funny Switch to slot 2 and the GND
wire to slot 1, please replug them to the correct slots.

What should I do if the blocks give no
response?

It might be caused by the following reasons:
When not using the Neuron app or mBlock 5, the input
block is not connected to the le of the ouput block.

The Neuron firmware upgrade process is interrupted
(due to poor connection). Please try to upgrade
firmware again.

The silicone case of the block was installed improperly,
which may cause poor contact. Please make sure the
silicone case is put in the correct place.

To check more FAQs, please visit: http://www.makeblock.com/cn/steam-kits/neuron

Why is the battery life getting poorer?

The smart power block uses a lithium-ion battery,
multiple charges and discharges may decrease the

battery life gradually.

FCC STATEMENT:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

RF warning statement:

The device has been evaluated to meet general RF exposure requirement. The device can be used in portable exposure condition without restriction.

IC STATEMENT:

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

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Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux

conditions suivantes :

(1) l'appareil nedoit pas produire de brouillage, et

(2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le

fonctionnement.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Declaration of conformity Hereby, Makeblock Co., Ltd., declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant

provisions of Directive RED 2014/53/EU and the RoHS directive 2011/65/EU

Caution:

Recommended for children of ages 6+.
Not suitable for children under ages 3.
Children need to be accompanied by adults when using the product.
To avoid the product damage, please don't disassemble, repair or modify this product yourself.

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Age

6+

WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD

- Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Children to use only under adult's supervision.

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