Every stack must have a Superbase at its bottom. It runs the Python scripts in software blocks and is where power and the mini-USB cable used with Stackbuilder are connected. The most often used terminal is the “Stack Ready” output terminal. It is often used to “kick start” the data flow for a Stack’s Blueprint. You may also store a small amount of “Stack environment properties” in non-volatile memory in the Superbase. This might be some configuration preference information the user enters for a specific instance of a Blueprint in a specific stack. The Superbase also includes a real-time clock.
You connect your stack to your laptop for developing Blueprints via the mini USB connector on the left. DC Power (5V) is plugged into the stack using the coaxial barrel connector on the right.
Block properties and terminals
Properties
Type (uuid): Module Type
Version (int): Firmware Version
Construct_Usb (Boolean (True or False)): Construct on reset. (For developers only).
Partial (Boolean): Allow partial construction of a blueprint.
Reset_Bus (int): Hardware reset the stack if bus errors. 2 Hard reset, 1 Soft reset, 0 No reset. Default is 2.
Watchdog (Boolean): Enable hardware watchdog reset. Default is True.
Terminals
“Properties” – in (List or Property Name string): To set property. Send property name, Value. For example [’N’,’netname’]. To get property, just send property name. For example. ’N’
“PResponse” – out (List or True) : On set, responds with True when done. On get, responds with list. For example [’N’, ‘netname’].
“Request Random” – in (String): Trigger a random number 0-255 be sent out “Random Num” terminal.
“Random Num” – out (int): Sends random number 0-255 when triggered.
“Set/Get Time” – in (String): Any 1 char string triggers send time. If 6 char string, then sets. Time HHMMSS.
“Time HHMMSS” – out (String): Time HHMMSS.
“Set/Get Date” – in (String): Any 1 char string triggers send date. If 6 char string, then sets. Date MMDDYY.
“Date MMDDYY” – out (String): Date MMDDYY.
“Request Hour” – in (String): Request send of hour.
“Hour” – out (int): Outputs hour when any input string message and on change.
“Request Minute” – in (String): Request send of minute.
“Minute” – out (int): Outputs minute when any input string message and on change.
“Request Second” – in (String): Request send of second.
“Second” – out (int): Outputs second when any input string message and on change.
“Stack Ready” – out (Any): Outputs message when stack construction is completed. Used when needed, to “kick off” a Blueprint’s dataflow.
“Reset Stack” – in (String) Resets stack hardware if receives string “Reset”.
“Set Session” – in. (Dictionary) Python dictionary (attribute-value list) stored in non-volatile memory in Base.
“Set Session Status” – out (Boolean). True or False indicating success or failure for write of Session.
“Get Session” – in. (int) When sent a 1, sends Session out of Session terminal.
“Session” – out (Dictionary) Sends Python dictionary that was stored in Session or None.
Refer to documentation on many other topics at interstacks.com/knowledge-base.
Please email info@interstacks.com with any questions.