POLY BLOCK OVERVIEW

Introduction

The Poly Block was designed to provide a simple way to achieve a number of simple functions without requiring a computer or any programming skills.

Functions

The functions it provides range from simple functions that manipulate logic values (e.g. Combine) to complex time bound functions (e.g. Follower).

The functions available on the Poly Block are as follows:

Oscillator - switches it's outputs on and off at a specified rate
Sequencer - when triggered, activates each of its outputs in turn
Combine - performs logical AND, OR, XOR and Invert operations on its inputs.
Switch - has outputs which can be turned on and off in a variety of ways
Timer - creates time intervals
Counter - counts events - both up and down
Compare - compares two values and reports greater-than, less-than, equal and not equal conditions
Follower - output tracks the input at a specifiably slow rate
Adder - adds two incoming signed inputs
Multiplier - multiplies to incoming signed inputs
Multiplexor - permits one of four outputs to be selected

Consult the Poly Block Reference for a detailed description of each function.

The functions the Poly Block offers are selectable by the Function Switch. The Function Switch has four tiny switches each of which can be in one of two positions: on or off. Each of the functions has a unique pattern of switch settings. Choose the function you'd like to use by putting the switches in the appropriate setting. When you'd like to use a different function, simply choose another setting and adjust the switches accordingly.
For example, the Oscillator function's switch settings are 0 0 0 0.

As another example, the Counter function is selected by selecting the correct switches for that function: 0 1 0 1.

The correct switch settings are given for each function. The only tricky part is remembering to enter them the correct way round: last digit on the top.

Power

Power can be applied to the Poly Block from any of the three Power Connectors. Either supply 7V to 24V to the +V input, and the Poly Block will create the 5V it needs, or supply regulated 5V to the 5V connectors. But not both. The Poly Block can supply only a small amount of power to external devices, so be mindful of their requirements.

Orientation

Like other blocks, it has inputs on the left hand side, outputs on the right. This means that in general you will be able to understand what a group of blocks is doing by "reading" them from left to right.

Trimpot and Trimpot Jumper

Where there is a need to set a scale or value for the function to work, it may be conveniently done with the trimpot. The trimpot permits voltages between 0V and 5V to be applied to one of the Poly Block inputs (I4). Several of the functions on the Poly Block have been implemented to read key values from the I4 input, making them controllable from the trimpot. The value it supplies increases as it is turned clockwise. In addition, this voltage is presented on the Tr connector, where it can be measured, connected to other devices or connected to other inputs on the Poly Block.

The trimpot isn't always the best thing to have connected to the I4 input. A jumper is used to determine whether the trimpot is actually connected to the I4 input or not. This makes it possible to either use the trimpot to supply voltages or bypass it and supply the voltages externally from another source. When the jumper is on, the voltage created by the trimpot is passed to the Tr connector and also to both the I4 connector and to the chip. Without the jumper on, the Tr connection still carries the trimpot voltage, but the I4 Input is independent and will not be influenced by the trimpot.

Analog Output

The O0 output can function in some cases as a PWM output. This means that it will convey not just an on or an off value, but by combining being on and off in different proportions it will convey some average between on and off. In our 5V system, this means some value between 0V and 5V.

When this kind of output is used to illuminate an LED for example, the LED appears to glow brighter and darker even though all that's happening is that the output is being switched on and off very quickly.

If you were to connect this output to anything that expects an analog input, it would not read well - it would read either 0V or 5V depending on where in the cycle the value is sampled. Fortunately, the circuit for converting the on-off pulses of a PWM output to a more smooth analog output is very simple. This is the purpose of the A0 output on the PolyBlock. It is the identical signal to the O0, with the exception that it has been averaged out.

This value is now suitable for reading by another electronic device.

Switch Outputs

The O0 and O1 outputs are both conventional digital outputs. This means that you can connect them to other electronics devices to control them digitally. But the capacity for these outputs to actually do useful work is somewhat limited - to about 25mA. In order to permit the handling of larger loads, the O0 and O1 outputs are also connected to fairly robust electronic switches which can switch surprisingly large loads on and off. These switches are the outputs marked S0 and S1. Whatever it is that you are going to connect must be connected to the +V or some other power line on one side and one of the S0 or S1 terminals on the other.

Internally, the O0 and O1 outputs are sent to the switch circuitry as well as to the O0 and O1 connectors. One side of the switches is connected to 0V (ground). The switch outputs therefore are low-side switches, meaning that they make a connection to the 0V section of the circuit for you. It is assumed that the rest of the circuit, including the thing you want to control, connects ultimately to +V, or some other power source..

	Poly Block


	Introduction The Poly Block was designed to provide a simple way to achieve a number of simple functions without requiring a computer or any programming skills. Functions The functions it provides range from simple functions that manipulate logic values (e.g. Combine) to complex time bound functions (e.g. Follower). The functions available on the Poly Block are as follows: Oscillator - switches it's outputs on and off at a specified rate Sequencer - when triggered, activates each of its outputs in turn Combine - performs logical AND, OR, XOR and Invert operations on its inputs. Switch - has outputs which can be turned on and off in a variety of ways Timer - creates time intervals Counter - counts events - both up and down Compare - compares two values and reports greater-than, less-than, equal and not equal conditions Follower - output tracks the input at a specifiably slow rate Adder - adds two incoming signed inputs Multiplier - multiplies to incoming signed inputs Multiplexor - permits one of four outputs to be selected Consult the Poly Block Reference for a detailed description of each function. The functions the Poly Block offers are selectable by the Function Switch. The Function Switch has four tiny switches each of which can be in one of two positions: on or off. Each of the functions has a unique pattern of switch settings. Choose the function you'd like to use by putting the switches in the appropriate setting. When you'd like to use a different function, simply choose another setting and adjust the switches accordingly. For example, the Oscillator function's switch settings are 0 0 0 0. As another example, the Counter function is selected by selecting the correct switches for that function: 0 1 0 1. The correct switch settings are given for each function. The only tricky part is remembering to enter them the correct way round: last digit on the top. Power Power can be applied to the Poly Block from any of the three Power Connectors. Either supply 7V to 24V to the +V input, and the Poly Block will create the 5V it needs, or supply regulated 5V to the 5V connectors. But not both. The Poly Block can supply only a small amount of power to external devices, so be mindful of their requirements. Orientation Like other blocks, it has inputs on the left hand side, outputs on the right. This means that in general you will be able to understand what a group of blocks is doing by "reading" them from left to right. Trimpot and Trimpot Jumper Where there is a need to set a scale or value for the function to work, it may be conveniently done with the trimpot. The trimpot permits voltages between 0V and 5V to be applied to one of the Poly Block inputs (I4). Several of the functions on the Poly Block have been implemented to read key values from the I4 input, making them controllable from the trimpot. The value it supplies increases as it is turned clockwise. In addition, this voltage is presented on the Tr connector, where it can be measured, connected to other devices or connected to other inputs on the Poly Block. The trimpot isn't always the best thing to have connected to the I4 input. A jumper is used to determine whether the trimpot is actually connected to the I4 input or not. This makes it possible to either use the trimpot to supply voltages or bypass it and supply the voltages externally from another source. When the jumper is on, the voltage created by the trimpot is passed to the Tr connector and also to both the I4 connector and to the chip. Without the jumper on, the Tr connection still carries the trimpot voltage, but the I4 Input is independent and will not be influenced by the trimpot. Analog Output The O0 output can function in some cases as a PWM output. This means that it will convey not just an on or an off value, but by combining being on and off in different proportions it will convey some average between on and off. In our 5V system, this means some value between 0V and 5V. When this kind of output is used to illuminate an LED for example, the LED appears to glow brighter and darker even though all that's happening is that the output is being switched on and off very quickly. If you were to connect this output to anything that expects an analog input, it would not read well - it would read either 0V or 5V depending on where in the cycle the value is sampled. Fortunately, the circuit for converting the on-off pulses of a PWM output to a more smooth analog output is very simple. This is the purpose of the A0 output on the PolyBlock. It is the identical signal to the O0, with the exception that it has been averaged out. This value is now suitable for reading by another electronic device. Switch Outputs The O0 and O1 outputs are both conventional digital outputs. This means that you can connect them to other electronics devices to control them digitally. But the capacity for these outputs to actually do useful work is somewhat limited - to about 25mA. In order to permit the handling of larger loads, the O0 and O1 outputs are also connected to fairly robust electronic switches which can switch surprisingly large loads on and off. These switches are the outputs marked S0 and S1. Whatever it is that you are going to connect must be connected to the +V or some other power line on one side and one of the S0 or S1 terminals on the other. Internally, the O0 and O1 outputs are sent to the switch circuitry as well as to the O0 and O1 connectors. One side of the switches is connected to 0V (ground). The switch outputs therefore are low-side switches, meaning that they make a connection to the 0V section of the circuit for you. It is assumed that the rest of the circuit, including the thing you want to control, connects ultimately to +V, or some other power source..