Nervous Networks

From BEAM Robotics Wiki

BEAM Nervous Networks are sometimes called the "brain" of BEAM robots. In actuallity, they perform functions more like those of the peripheral nervous system.

A Nervous Network can be as simple as a stand alone Central Pattern Generator, or it can be receive and respond to sensory input. In either case, it is generally used to control the motor functions, and therefore the behaviour of BEAM robots.

Pulses traveling though the network are influenced by the sensory data and generate signals that are sent to the actuators (generally small motors), resulting in feedback (e.g changes in the sensory input caused by the work the actuators have performed).

Nervous Networks can be represented in the form of Biomorphic Maps and are realized by implementating the concepts (represented by the maps) in the form of BEAM circuits. These can then be combined with simple mechanical assemblies to create BEAM robots.

The most common network configuration is the core or loop, but a networkcan also be, or include, chains and branches as well.

Details about Nervous Networks are described in these articles:

• 555 Cores
• BEAM neurons
• BiCores (suspended, isolated, Schmitt)
• Bicores
• Biomorphic Maps
• Coupled Bicores, first experiments
• Feedback
• Hypersaturation, wavefront processors
• Linked BiCores; How Does The Slave Cycle?
• Manfred Schaffran's 555 Core
• Microcore
• N/2 Neuron
• Nu Comparator
• Nu Neurons
• NuStepper
• Nv Networks
• Nv neurons and Nv nets
• PNCFree Microcore
• PWMcore
• Parallel Linked Neurons
• Photo-Bicore
• Processes and Transitions
• Pulse Width Keyed Selector
• Pulse Width Responsive Neuron
• QCORE
• Quadcore
• Rigter Oscillator
• SHOK THEORY
• Servocore
• Slave BiCore Operation
• Suspended Bicore, By Wouter Brok
• The "belt and suspenders" BiCore Circuits
• Tricore
• UServo
• UServoCore
• Wilf Rigter's Nu Cores
• Wilf Rigter's Servocore
• Wilf's axon-hillock and axon delay circuits