Sysblocks Getting Started Guide

Introduction to Sysblocks

Sysblocks and Flowcode 10 provide a new way of teaching about signal processing for Music technology, DSP, Communications and Software Defined Radio.

Hardware:

The opportunity of developing a product like Sysblocks is facilitated by the advent of advent of low cost high speed, high power microcontrollers - in this case a 32bit PICmicro microcontroller.

The Sysblock hardware topology is very simple: Input buffer …..A/D….processor...D/A….output amplifer.

Sysblocks boards also include two E-blocks II boards so that students can use a wide variety of expansion boards from Matrix, Grove, Mikroelektronika and others.

Software:

Flowcode 10 software is a graphical programming solution for microcontrollers and PCs. Flowcode allows those with limited programming experience to develop complex electronic systems using graphical and conventional C code programming.

Curriculum: There are three separate curricula for Sysblocks and Flowcode 10:

• Music with microcontrollers
• Systems, signals, DSP, and FFT
• Communications and Software Defined Radio

The following information will explain to you how Sysblocks and Flowcode 10 can be used to provide fantastic learning opportunities in electronics.

Hardware: PCB overview

1. Fast 32 bit PIC processor                                    16. Input switch SW2 

2. PIC18F24K50 control processor that handles                   17. E-blocks II expansion port A  
   the USB communications, 32 bit PIC programming,                    
   LCD display, encoders and input switches                     18. E-blocks II expansion port B 

3. SMA connector  Input IN0                                     19. USB socket / power in 

4. AC / DC coupling switch SW4                                  20. 2.1mm power jack, 5 - 12V 

5. SMA connector  Input IN1                                     21. Screw terminal power connector (input or output)

6. AC / DC coupling switch SW3                                  22. 2 x banks of 8 user programmable  LEDs - for VU meters 

7. SMA connector Output OUT0                                    23. Grove sensor expansion socket 

8. SMA connector  Output OUT1 

9. 3.5mm jack stereo line in 

10. 3.5mm jack stereo line out 

11. 4 line monochrome LCD display 

12. Rotary encoder input ENC0 

13. Rotary encoder input ENC1 

14. Input switch SW0 

15. Input switch SW1