Nv network

An Nv network is a term used in BEAM robotics referring to the small electrical Neural Networks that make up the bulk of BEAM-based robot control mechanisms.

Basic Building blocks

The most basic component included in Nv Networks is the Nv Neuron. The purpose of an Nv Neuron is simply to take an input, do something with it, and give an output. the most common action of Nv Neurons is to give a delay.

BEAM Nv Neurons

The standard for BEAM-based neurons is a capacitor that has one lead as an input, and the other going into the input line of an inverter. That inverter's output is the output of the neuron. The capacitor lead that is inputting into the inverter is pulled to ground with a resistor. The neuron functions because when an input is received (positive power on the input line), it charges the capacitor. Once the input is lost (negative power on the input line), the capacitor discharges into the inverter, causing the inverter to produce an output that is passed to the next neuron. The rate that the capacitor discharges is tied to the resistor that is pulling the input to the inverter to the negative. The larger the resistor, the longer it will take for the capacitor to fully discharge, and the longer it will take for that neuron to completely fire.