<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"><html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title> About MLAB </title><meta name="keywords" content="MLAB Universal Electronic Modules and Articles Processors Electronics"><meta name="description" content="About MLAB Project"><!-- AUTOINCLUDE START "Page/Head.en.ihtml" DO NOT REMOVE --><link rel="StyleSheet" href="../Web/CSS/MLAB.css" type="text/css" title="MLAB Basic Style"><link rel="StyleSheet" href="../Web/CSS/MLAB_Print.css" type="text/css" media="print"><link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="../Web/PIC/MLAB.ico"><script type="text/javascript" src="../Web/JS/MLAB_Menu.js"></script><!-- AUTOINCLUDE END --></head><body lang="en"><!-- AUTOINCLUDE START "Page/Header.en.ihtml" DO NOT REMOVE --><!-- ============== HEADER ============== --><div class="Header"><script type="text/javascript"><!--SetRelativePath("../");DrawHeader();// --></script><noscript><p><b> JavaScript is required for including of the header </b></p></noscript></div><!-- AUTOINCLUDE END --><!-- AUTOINCLUDE START "Page/Menu.en.ihtml" DO NOT REMOVE --><!-- ============== MENU ============== --><div class="Menu"><script type="text/javascript"><!--SetRelativePath("../");DrawMenu();// --></script><noscript><p><b> JavaScript is required for including of the menu </b><p></noscript></div><!-- AUTOINCLUDE END --><!-- ============== TEXT ============== --><div class="Text"><h1> About MLAB </h1><p><a href="PIC/about_bastl.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_bastl_small.jpg"alt="Sample picture"></a></p><h2>Purpose </h2><p>Basic reason for existence of MLAB is the need for opened robust andsomehow universal kit (as a box of universal bricks) for both electronichobbyists and professionals. MLAB is focused on general electronics andmicrocontroller technology. It can be used for tuition as well.</p><h2>Features</h2><p>In opposite to another more known projects such as Arduino the MLAB is not a development platformfocused to only one architecture of microprocessors but uses many types of chips from muchmanufactures. In addition the MLAB provide much better design reliability which is achieved by usingthe base board usually made from aluminium or single sided PCB material. The board is not onlymechanical support but it is a good ground conductor as well.</p><p>The base is furnished by holes for fastening of individual MLAB modules.The holes are places on a grid every 10.16mm (0.4inch). Dimension of amodule can be any integer number of grid and screws are usually placesto all four corners.</p><p><a href="PIC/about_montage.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_montage_small.jpg"alt="Assembling of modules on the base"></a></p><p>Electrical connections are made by stranded wires with female connectorson both sides. On modules there are prepared jumper connectors in commonraster 2.54mm (that is 1/10 inch). Wires can be easily obtained from oldprinter cable. There are a lot of wires of different colors, almost free.</p><p><a href="PIC/about_wires.jpg"><img width=480 height=360 src="PIC/about_wires_small.jpg"alt="Picture of wires"></a></p><p>For power supplies it is used the same jumper connectors. Usually thisway:</p><ul><li>For +5V 3-pin jumpers are used. Both side pins are grounds and middlepin is power. This type of connector is used for stabilized +5V or forsmall voltage from batteries.</li><li>For power above +5V (typically +12V or +16V for programmer or forpower electronics it is used 4-pin jumper connectors. Both side pinsare ground and two middle pins are power. It is supposed thatexperimenter knows that he deals with “hi voltage” that can bedangerous for some devices.</li></ul><h1> About web </h1><h2> Why this web was created </h2><p>The web was created because we believe that we have something to publish.The main reason was the MLAB project. It is some sort of construction kitor electronic "lego". MLAB modules proved usable so well that we wish to shareit with the others.<p><h2> What can you find here </h2><p>Everything about MLAB (documentation, design files etc.) and a lot of otherthings. Some articles about electronics. Everything is original written by ourauthors.</p><h2> Language </h2><p>The web is primary in Czech language but some information is translatedinto English. When the text is not in English it is presented in Czech.Schematics, tables, source files and other design data are consideredto be international enough to be valuable even without translated text.</p><p>The translation may not be done well. If you can see errors let us know, please.</p><h2> Who are the authors </h2><p>Several keen electronics and hobbyists. Our hobby is our job as well.The web and MLAB project are non-commercial and they are created inauthors free time.</p><h2> Something does not work? </h2><p>Let us know and we will try to mend or improve it (if the result is worththe effort).</p><h2> How does it work inside? </h2><p>The base component is SubVersion system (source code version system, similarto CVS or SourSafe). Every piece of information is in SubVersion database andweb content is automatically generated. SubVersion is primarily intended forthe authors. Users do not need to install SubVersion client. The content of SVNis accessible via WebSVN Web interface (read only).</p><p>Web server is Apache 2 running on Linux.</p><p>Web pages are based on HTML4 and CSS2. They are not optimised forany particular browser and we hope that we avoided successfully all importantbugs of widely used browsers.</p><h1> About authors </h1><p>In the beginning of the project MLAB was developed by few <a href="../Web/AboutAuthors.en.html">authors</a>. But now MLAB is continually improved by much more wide community. Some of main contributors is listed on project wiki page.</p><h1> Copyrights </h1><h2> Extend </h2><p>The whole content of this web is copyrighted material and remains as iseven if it is stored or spread by any means (web, computer, operational memory).</p><h2> Warranties </h2><p>The authors gives the project as is without any warranty. They particularly do notguarantee the accuracy, completeness and suitability for any purpose.Thinking is required.</p><h2> What is allowed </h2><p>It is possible to use the project for non-commercial purposes and for personalstudying. Commercial organizations may use it for their own internal needsbut as a part of training of their customers or partners.</p><p>Original and derived project may be published provided that they containlink to MLAB web <a href="http://www.mlab.cz"> http://www.mlab.cz</a>and that the information about original authors is preserved.</p><h2> What is not allowed </h2><p>To use project for commercial purpose, especially for profit.It is not allowed to manufacture the MLAB devices or modules and sell themand to publish MLAB documentation by print or publish it with anothercommercial documentation.</p><p>It is not allowed to modify the project and deploy it as commercial project.</p><h2> Exceptions </h2><p>It is possible to use MLAB against the rules above with agreement of the authorsonly. If you are not sure consult with authors.</p><h1> Community communication channels </h1><h2> IRC channel </h2><p>The most fastest communication channel is IRC on our server mlab.cz #mlab</p><h2> Mailing list </h2><p>E-mail conference is powered by <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/mlab-users">google groups</a>. This is the most reliable communication method useful for general questions addressed to mlab community. This method of communication is useful especially for questions and problems who can be needed probably even other users.</p><h2> Facebook </h2><p>We have a facebook page too <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MLAB/203283666377414">Facebooku</a> it is used mainly for propagation or highlighting some of main events in development.</p><h1> Project partners </h1>The MLAB project is such widespread at now that it can not be maintained by small group of contributors. As it needs much sources to stay actual and state-of-art at today technology abilities. The whole project is supported by others groups and institutions.</div><!-- AUTOINCLUDE START "Page/Footer.en.ihtml" DO NOT REMOVE --><!-- ============== FOOTER ============== --><div class="Footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--SetRelativePath("../");DrawFooter();// --></script><noscript><p><b> JavaScript is required for including of the footer </b></p></noscript></div><!-- AUTOINCLUDE END --></body></html>