Cytron SUMO-BIT Expansion Board without micro: bit
The Cytron SUMO:BIT is an expansion board that transforms the BBC micro: bit into the central brain of a sumo robot. It is specifically engineered to simplify the process of building and coding for sumo robot projects or competitions. By handling the complex power management and sensor interfacing, it allows users to focus on strategy and programming within the micro: bit’s accessible environment.
This board is designed as a robust intermediary platform. It accepts high-power battery input and features sockets to plug in external MD13S motor driver boards, which handle the high-current demands of the motors. This modular design allows for easy replacement of motor drivers if needed. The board integrates all necessary components, including sensor ports, status indicators, and control interfaces, onto a single PCB.
The SUMO:BIT’s primary role is to provide a complete and protected ecosystem for a micro: bit-controlled robot. It safely channels power from a battery to the motors and processors, connects a suite of sensors for opponent and edge detection, and offers user-programmable LEDs and ports for additional servos or RC equipment, creating a ready-to-use foundation for robotic combat.
Features:
- VBAT input range from 7V to 25V with reverse polarity protection.
- Vibration-proof on/off switch with a MOSFET latching circuit.
- 5x Opponent sensor input ports with internal +5V pull-ups and status LEDs.
- 2x Edge sensor input ports.
- 1x General Purpose input/output (GPIO) port (P2).
- 2x sockets for external MD13S motor driver boards.
- 2x motor current sensors (one for each channel).
- Motor Alignment Module with a potentiometer, test button, and indicator LEDs.
- USB-A port for wireless joystick dongle connection.
- 4-Ways DIP switch for mode or tactic selection.
- 2x Servo Ports that can also be used as RC receiver inputs.
- 2x user-programmable RGB LEDs (WS2812B).
- Battery voltage monitoring via an analog input.
Board Layout:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Power Switch | Slide switch with MOSFET latching circuit. Turns on/off the power to the board and motor drivers. |
| Power LED | Green LED to indicate power status. Turns on when the board is powered up. |
| micro: bit socket | Vertical micro: bit edge connector. Plug in the micro: bit here. Note: Make sure the micro: bit is inserted with the LED matrices facing upwards. |
| USB Joystick Port | USB-A Port used to plug in the Joystick Receiver. |
| Mode DIP Switch | 4-Ways DIP switch provides up to 16 configuration modes. Can be used to select different tactics/modes for competition. |
| Opponent Sensor Ports | Male headers with +5V internal pull-ups for Maker Object sensors connection (or any other digital sensors). Internally connected to the micro: bit digital pins. Equipped with voltage divider to protect the micro: bit pins. |
| Opponent Sensor Status LEDs | LEDs to indicate the status of opponent sensors. Turn on when the signal is low (active low). For MAKER-OBJECT, LEDs turn on when opponent is detected. |
| Edge Sensor Ports | Male headers for Maker Reflect connection (or any other analog sensors). Internally connected to the micro: bit digital pins. Equipped with voltage divider to adjust the output voltage. |
| P2 Port | Male header for general-purpose input/output connection. Connected to P2 pin of the micro: bit and can be used as a digital input/output or analog input. Equipped with active low status LED. Signal pin is connected to a voltage divider circuit to reduce from 5V to ~3V. |
| Motor Alignment Module | a) Potentiometer: Variable resistor used to modify the relative speed of the left and right motor. Use when motors have unbalanced speeds, causing the robot to not move in a straight line. b) Test Button: Push button to test the motor alignment modification. Press after adjusting the potentiometer; motor moves forward for 1 second to check alignment. c) Potentiometer indicator LEDs: LEDs used to indicate the current potentiometer position. |
| Firmware Update Module | USB-C Port: Use a USB-C cable to connect to a computer for uploading new firmware to the board. This port is not intended for programming. Boot Button: Button to enter bootloader mode. |
| RGB LEDs | User programmable WS2812B RGB LED. |
| Motor Status LEDs | Red LEDs to indicate which motor is running. Turn on when the motor is running. |
| MLA/MRA (Motor) | Forward motion indicator for motors. |
| MLB/MRB (Motor) | Backward motion indicator for motors. |
| Servo/RC Ports | Male headers for servos or RC receiver connection. |
| MD13S Socket | Female socket for the MD13S board connection. Note: The MD13S should be inserted from the bottom side of the PCB, NOT THE FRONT. |
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Battery Terminal | Terminal block for Battery connection. The positive terminal is connected to analog input via voltage, and the voltage can be read by the microcontroller. (+ : Positive.) (– : Negative/ground.) |
| Motor Terminals | Terminal block for Motor connection. Please refer to subtopic connection guide for further information on how to connect the motors. |
| MD13S Socket | Socket to stack/plug in the MD13S. Note: Please make sure that the MD13S is connected accordingly. Please refer to subtopic connection guide for further information. |
Specifications:
| Parameter | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Input Voltage: | 7 | 25 | V | LiPo Battery, with protection |
| Motor PWM Frequency: | – | 20 | kHz | When used with MD13S |
| Max Continuous Motor Current/Channel: | – | 13 | A | When used with MD13S |
| Peak Motor Current/Channel (<10s): | – | 30 | A | When used with MD13S |
| USB Host Output Voltage: | – | 5 | V | For joystick dongle |
| USB Host Output Current: | – | 600 | mA | |
| Servo Voltage: | – | 5 | V | |
| +5V Output Max Current (Total): | – | 600 | mA |
Dimension:
Applications:
- Sumo Robot Competitions.
- Educational Robotics Projects.
- Micro: bit-Based Robot Coding and Learning.
Package Contents:
- 1x SUMO:BIT with 2 x MD13S Motor Driver attached (micro: bit is not Included)
- 1x Small Flat Screwdriver
- 1x Phillips Screwdriver
- 1x Dean T Male Connector with 18AWG Wire, 15cm
- 1x SUMO:BIT Sticker Set (Limited to early adopters)
| Datasheet: | SUMO BIT Datasheet |
| 3D CAD: | SUMO-BIT |
| Official Reseller: | Makers Electronics |
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