Book excerpt: In this practical reference, popular author Lewin Edwards shows how to develop robust, dependable real-time systems for robotics and other control applications, using open-source tools. It demonstrates efficient and low-cost embedded hardware and software design techniques, based on Linux as the development platform and operating system and the Atmel AVR as the primary microcontroller. The book provides comprehensive examples of sensor, actuator and control applications and circuits, along with source code for a number of projects. It walks the reader through the process of setting up the Linux-based controller, from creating a custom kernel to customizing the BIOS, to implementing graphical control interfaces. Including detailed design information on:· ESBUS PC-host interface· Host-module communications protocol· A speed-controlled DC motor with tach feedback and thermal cut-off· A stepper motor controller· A two-axis attitude sensor using a MEMS accelerometer· Infrared remote control in Linux using LIRC· Machine vision using Video4Linux - The first-ever book on using open source technology for robotics design! - Covers hot topics such as GPS navigation, 3-D sensing, and machine vision, all using a Linux platform!