The VEX Cortex Microcontroller coordinates the flow of all information and power on the robot. It has built in bi-directional communication for wireless driving, debugging and downloading using the state of the art VEXnet 802.11 wireless link. The Microcontroller is the brain of every VEX robot.
Features
Built-in VEXnet Technology: Wireless driving, wireless debugging, and wireless downloading
Motor Ports: (8) standard 3-wire Motor or Servo ports. (2) 2-wire Motor ports
I2C Smart Sensor Port: Will connect to multiple new smart sensors in the future
UART Fast Serial Ports: Connects to the VEX LCD Display (19,200 baud) and will have future support to 1.125 Mbaud
Digital/Analog Input Ports: (8) high-res Analog Inputs, (12) fast Digital I/Os that can all be used as interrupts
Rx1 and Rx2 Ports: Also support for two 75MHz crystal transmitters and receivers
Battery Ports: Connect 7.2V power sources, such as the Battery Holder or the VEX 7.2V Robot Battery. Also connect a 9V Backup Battery to protect against communication losses.
| Specs |
| Battery In |
Voltage |
7.2 volts nominal, 5-12V min/max |
| Type |
Six AA batteries or 7.2V Pack |
| Current |
62 mA for Controller and REceiver plus Motors, Servos, and VEXnet |
| I/O Ports |
3-wire Motor Outputs (8) |
| Usage |
For 3-wire VEX motors or servos |
| Type |
Hobby standard PWM |
| Refresh |
Every 18.5 mSec |
| 2-wire Motor Outputs |
| Usage |
For 2-wire VEX motors |
| Type |
H-Bridge |
| Refresh |
Every 1 mSec |
| I2C "Smart Sensor" Port |
| Usage |
Future I2C products |
| UART Serial Ports (2) |
| Usage |
VEX LCD Module |
| 12-bit Analog Inputs (8) |
| Analog In |
12-bit resolution. 10uSec access time. |
| Fast Digital I/O (can be used as interrupts) (12) |
| Digital In |
50 KHz input frequency |
| DAC Speaker Output |
| Usage |
Output sound, voice, music to an external speaker |
| Rx1 and Rx2 (2) |
| Usage |
Connects to (2) 75MHz receivers |
| Micro Controller |
STMicroelectronics ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Speed |
90 MIPS (million instructions per second) |
| RAM |
64KB |
| Flash |
384KB program space |
| Programming |
easyC V4 for Cortex
ROBOTC for Cortex and PIC
Note: The only version of ROBOTC for Cortex & PIC approved for use with the Cortex is 2.20.1 BETA. Using previous versions may permanently damage the Cortex Microcontroller. |
| Size |
3.9 x 4.5 x 1in. |
| Weight |
.302 lbs (137g) |
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