Terasic A-Cute Car User Manual
A-Cute
User Manual
1
www.terasic.com
September 12, 2016
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 About the Package ...................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Getting Help ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Chapter 2 Architecture of A-Cute ...................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Features ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Component and Layout .............................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 How to make your car work ....................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3 Hardware of A-Cute ....................................................................................................... 10
3.1 Over View ................................................................................................................................................. 10
3.2 DE0-Nano Cyclone IV FPGA Board ........................................................................................................ 11
3.3 SCD (Smart Car Daughter) Card .............................................................................................................. 13
3.3.1 Power System .................................................................................................................................... 14
3.3.2 Motor Driver ...................................................................................................................................... 15
3.3.3 ADC LTC2308 .................................................................................................................................. 17
3.3.4 User Buzzer and LED ........................................................................................................................ 19
3.3.5 IR Receiver ........................................................................................................................................ 20
3.3.6 TMD Header ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Chapter 4 Appendix ......................................................................................................................... 23
4.1 Revision History ....................................................................................................................................... 23
4.2 Copyright Statement ................................................................................................................................. 23
A-Cute
User Manual
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September 12, 2016
Chapter 1
Introduction
A-Cute Car is a high performance self-propelled robotic line tracking vehicle, and has a complete
input / output interface. It is easy to understand, simple to program, users can learn to operate it
quickly.
It uses four AA size batteries pack and runs on a stand-alone power system. The motor operates in a
voltage range between 3.6V ~ 6.8V.
A-Cute uses two gear motor to drive the wheels, and is equipped with 7 reflective sensors (as sensing
inputs), two white LED lamps for lighting, and also has a buzzer.
1.1 About the Package
The A-Cute kit comes with the following contents:
1. A-Cute car body
2. 4-pack AA size batteries
3. IR Remote control
4. USB Mini-B cable
5. 5V Power Supply
6. DC Adapter Cable
7. Quick Start Guide
Users can download A-Cute system CD from the following address http://car.terasic.com/cd/. The
system CD contains technical documents of the A-Cute kit; included with it is component datasheets,
demonstrations, a schematic, a cable and a user manual.
Figure 1-1 shows the contents of A-Cute kit.
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User Manual
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September 12, 2016
Figure 1-1 Contents of A-Cute Car Kit
1.2 Getting Help
Here is information of how to get help if you encounter any problem:
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User Manual
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September 12, 2016
Chapter 2
Architecture of A-Cute
This chapter provides information regarding features and architecture of the A-Cute.
2.1 Features
The key features of this module are listed below:
Power by DC 3.3V ~ 12V
AA x4 battery Holder
Accelerated by FPGA
Buzzer
White LED for illumination
Seven sensor array to follow the line
ADC chip to digitized the input power and line sensors
Line following
Remote Control by Bluetooth
Remote Control by IR
Expansion Headers
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User Manual
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September 12, 2016
2.2 Component and Layout
The top view of A-Cute is shown in the picture below Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 A-Cute Car Top View
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September 12, 2016
The bottom view of A-Cute is shown in Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2 A-Cute Car Bottom View
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2.3 How to make your car work
Battery Selection and Installation
A-Cute car package requires 4 AA batteries. You can choose carbon-zinc batteries, alkaline batteries
or NiMH batteries. We recommend using rechargeable NiMH batteries.
Carbon-zinc / alkaline batteries are rated voltage of 1.5V, and NiMH batteries rated voltage of 1.2V.
Because of the voltage difference of the 2 types of batteries, the operating voltages supplied to the
motor will differ; therefore, the NiMH batteries will run the motor at a slower speed than carbon-zinc
/ alkaline batteries.
Make sure to check which direction the batteries are installed. Match the positive end of the batteries
to the positive on the battery box, and the negative end of the batteries to the negative end of the
battery box.
Ready to turn on the power
When the battery is properly installed; turn on the power switch.
You will see the switch next to the two power lights, switch to the on position, the power light on the
car and the DE0-Nano will light up.
Now you can begin to enjoy the fun of A-Cute.
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