Peripheral Functions
You can simply select the computer and the peripheral functions from the Configurator’s menu. RoboDesigner will do rest of the job and you will get board design as requested.
But in certain cases, when you need many functions, you may be required deeper understanding of board composition tradeoffs, to get out maximum of selected combination of computer and peripheral interfaces.
Understanding of Resources
RoboDesigner offers selection of major computer architectures, such as NXP iMX, Raspberry Pi, and Nvidia Jetson. Computers library is periodically updated with newer architectures.
Each computer has set of resources which are necessary for implementation of external connections. Example of such resources – USB, PCI Express, UART. Some of resources can be directly routed to external connector, like in case of USB. Some others are routed to additional hardware which implements a required interface. For example, PCIe is routed to hardware module implementing WiFi and Bluetooth.
Selection of computer will determine which resources are available and consequently determine which peripheral functions can be implemented.
List of resources available in selected computer is displayed in Configurator screen:
When you select peripheral function, resource which supports this function is allocated for it and deducted from resource pool. Resource required by the function is highlighted in the resources list. If function requires resource which is already fully consumed, RoboDesigner will not allow to add that function to the project.
As said above, you don’t need to understand use of resources in order to define fully functional board. RoboDesigner will do it automatically. However, better understanding may help with optimal selection of computer and optimal assignment of peripherals for it.
Peripheral Functions
Every computer requires peripheral functions in order to communicate with outside world. Example of peripheral functions are USB, Display, Audio, WiFi. Selection of required functions is done through Functions menu in Configurator:
Clicking on it opens functions list
After selection of Function, application offers shortlist of relevant options. For example, if USB function is selected, shortlist of options will offer USB2 and USB3 interfaces, with connectors types such as USB-A, USB-C.
Gray colored functions mean they are not available because required resources are not available in selected computer. Positioning of mouse pointer on grayed function will highlight which resources are missing. Clicking on grayed function will offer alternative computer to obtain required function.