RF Controllers

16.632 Intro to Autonomous Machines ยท 2020

RF Controllers cover

RF controllers and sensor shields assembled for student-built robot cars.

I assembled 25 controllers for the NEET Autonomous Machines sophomore project class, 2.S007 Design and Manufacturing I (of Robotic Systems)!

The design was based on a tutorial by How to Mechatronics. Each controller has the following electronics on board: an Arduino Pro Mini, two joysticks, two SPDT toggle switches, two potentiometers, six push buttons, an MPU6050 IMU, and an NRF24L01 transmitter. They also have capacitors, jumpers, and an SMD voltage regulator.

These were all powered by two rechargeable 3.7V Li-ion batteries on the back and enclosed by two laser cut acrylic sheets.

Provided materials

The build used custom PCBs, IMUs, joysticks, capacitors, and a finished controller as a reference.

  • RF Controllers: Provided materials 1
  • RF Controllers: Provided materials 2
  • RF Controllers: Provided materials 3
  • RF Controllers: Provided materials 4

Work station at 4-409

I prepared the work station and soldered the IMUs and headers.

  • RF Controllers: Work station at 4-409 1
  • RF Controllers: Work station at 4-409 2
  • RF Controllers: Work station at 4-409 3

Soldering components

I soldered the Arduino Pro Minis and other components onto the first set of boards. A board-version mismatch required additional wiring before cleaning and testing.

  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 1
  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 2
  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 3
  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 4
  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 5
  • RF Controllers: Soldering components 6

Final assembly

I laser-cut the acrylic covers, assembled the controllers, then tested and debugged them.

  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 1
  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 2
  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 3
  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 4
  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 5
  • RF Controllers: Final assembly 6