Texas Instruments TI-Innovator Hub User manual

TI-Innovator™ Hub with
TI LaunchPad™ Board
Setup Guide
Learn more about TI Technology through the online help at education.ti.com/eguide.

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Learning More with the TI-Innovator™ Technology eGuide
Parts of this document refer you to the TI-Innovator™ Technology eGuide for more
details. The eGuide is a Web-based source of TI-Innovator™ information, including:
• Programming with the TI CE Family of Graphing Calculators and
TI-Nspire™Technology, including sample programs.
• Available I/O Modules and their commands.
• Available breadboard components and their commands.
• Available TI-RGB Array and its commands.
• Available TI-RGB Array and its commands.
• Available TI-Innovator™ Rover and its commands.
• Link to update the TI-Innovator™ Sketch software.
• Free classroom activities for TI-Innovator™Hub.
To access the eGuide, visit the Web address shown below, or use your mobile device to
scan the corresponding QR Code®.
https://education.ti.com/go/eguide/hub/EN
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Contents
TI-Innovator™ Hub Overview 1
Learn More 1
What's in the Box 2
TI-Innovator™Hub with On-Board Components 2
Built-in Ports 2
USB Cables 3
Auxiliary Power 3
Connecting TI-Innovator™Hub 3
Connecting to a Graphing Calculator 4
Connecting to a Computer Running TI-Nspire™CX Software 5
Using an Auxiliary Power Source 5
Connecting the Power Source 6
General Precautions for the TI-Innovator™ Hub 7
TI-Innovator™Hub 7
Breadboard Connector on the Hub 7
General Information 8
Online Help 8
Contact TI Support 8
Service and Warranty 8
FCC Statement 8
Canada Declaration 8
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TI-Innovator™ Hub Overview
The TI-Innovator™Hub lets you use your compatible TI graphing calculator or
TI-Nspire™CX computer software to control components, read sensors, and create
powerful learning experiences.
• You communicate with the Hub through TI Basic programming commands.
• Hosts that are compatible with TI-Innovator™Hub include:
- TI CE Family of Graphing Calculators (TI-83 Premium CE, TI-84 Plus CE, and
TI-84 Plus CE-T) with operating system version 5.3 or later installed. You also
need to install or update the Hub App, which contains the Hub menu.
- TI Nspire™ CX or TI Nspire™ CX CAS handheld with operating system version 4.5
or later installed
- TI Nspire™ computer software version 4.5 or later
•TI-Innovator™Hub. Communicates with the host, the Hub on-board components,
and connected external components. It also distributes power to external
components.
•TI-Innovator™ Components. These components, sold separately, include sensors,
motors, and LEDs that connect to the Hub through its I/O ports and breadboard
connector.
Learn More
For a list of precautions to take while using the Hub and its components, refer to
General Precautions (page 7).
To find information on accessories, external modules, and breadboard components,
visit education.ti.com/go/innovator.

What's in the Box
TI-Innovator™Hub with On-Board
Components
ÀA Light Brightness Sensor at the bottom
of the Hub can be read as
"BRIGHTNESS" in Hub command strings.
ÁRed LED is addressable as "LIGHT" in
Hub command strings.
ÂSpeaker (at back of Hub, not shown) is
addressable as "SOUND" in Hub
command strings.
ÃRed-Green-Blue LED is addressable as
"COLOR" in Hub command strings.
Also visible on the face of the Hub are:
AGreen auxiliary power LED
BGreen power LED,
CRed error LED.
Built-in Ports
Left side-Three ports for collecting data or status
from input modules:
•IN1 and IN2 provide 3.3V power.
•IN3 provides 5V power.
Right side-Three ports for controlling output
modules:
•OUT1 and OUT2 provide 3.3V power.
•OUT3 provides 5V power.
Bottom-Light Brightness Sensor (described earlier)
and two ports:
•I2Cport connects to peripherals that use the I2C
communication protocol.
•DATAMini-B port, used with the appropriate
cable, connects to a compatible graphing
calculator or computer for data and power.
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Top-Two connectors:
• USB-Micro connector (PWR) for auxiliary power
required by some components. Also used for
updating the Hub internal software.
• Breadboard Connector with 20 labeled pins for
communication with connected components. A
breadboard and jumper cables are included with
the TI-Innovator™ Breadboard Pack, sold
separately.
USB Cables
ÀUSB Unit-to-Unit (Mini-A to Mini-B)-Connects the Hub to a TI CE Graphing
Calculator or a TI-Nspire™CX Handheld.
ÁUSB Standard A to Mini-B-Connects the Hub to a computer running
TI-Nspire™CXSoftware.
ÂUSB Standard A to Micro-Connects the PWR port of the Hub to a TI approved
power source required by some peripherals.
Auxiliary Power
TIWallCharger - Supplies power through the
TI-Innovator™Hub for components, such as motors,
that require additional power.
The optional External Battery Pack can also provide
auxiliary power.
Note: An auxiliary power LED on the Hub indicates
when the Hub is receiving auxiliary power.
Connecting TI-Innovator™Hub
The TI-Innovator™Hub connects by a USB cable to a graphing calculator or computer.
The connection lets the Hub receive power and exchange data with the host.

Note: Some peripherals, such as motors, may require auxiliary power. For more
information, see Using an Auxiliary Power Source (page 5).
Connecting to a Graphing Calculator
1. Identify the "B" connector on the USB Unit-to-Unit (Mini-A
to Mini-B) cable. Each end of this cable is embossed with
a letter.
2. Insert the "B" connector into the DATA port at the bottom
of the TI-Innovator™Hub.
3. Insert the free end of the cable (the "A" connector) into the USB port on the
calculator.
Hub connected to
TI CE Graphing Calculator
Hub connected to
TI-Nspire™CX Handheld
4. Turn on the calculator if it is not already on.
The power LED on the Hub glows green to show that it is receiving power.
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Connecting to a Computer Running TI-Nspire™CX Software
1. Identify the "B" connector on
the USB Standard A to Mini-B
cable for Windows®/Mac®.
Each end of this cable is
embossed with a letter.
2. Insert the "B" connector into
the DATA port at the bottom
of the TI-Innovator™Hub.
3. Insert the free end of the
cable (the "A" connector) into
a USB port on the computer.
The power LED on the Hub
glows green to show that it is
receiving power.
Using an Auxiliary Power Source
Normally, the TI-Innovator™Hub and its connected components draw power from the
host calculator or computer, through the DATA connector. Certain components, such as
the optional Servo Motor, require more power than a calculator can provide reliably.
The PWR connector on the Hub lets you connect an auxiliary power source. You can use
the TIWallCharger or the External Battery Pack.
TIWallCharger (included with the Hub)
• Plugs into a wall outlet.
• Does not use batteries.
External Battery Pack(sold separately)
• Rechargeable.
• Has On/Off button with a row of LEDs that momentarily
indicate the battery charge when you turn the battery
on.
• Turns itself off after being disconnected from the Hub
for about 3 minutes.

Note:To recharge the External Battery Pack, disconnect it
from the Hub and then connect it to the TIWallCharger
using the USB Standard A to Micro cable. Do not use the
External Battery Pack as an auxiliary power source while it
is being charged.
Connecting the Power Source
1. Identify the Micro connector on the USB
Standard A to Micro auxiliary power cable.
2. Insert the Micro connector into the PWR
connector at the top of the Hub.
3. Insert the free end of the cable (the "A" connector) into the USB port on the power
source.
4. Turn on the power source:
- If using the TIWallCharger, plug it into a wall socket.
- If using the External Battery Pack, press the power button.
An auxiliary power LED on the Hub glows to show that the Hub is receiving auxiliary
power.
5. Connect the TI-Innovator™Hub to the host calculator, using the USB Standard A to
Mini-B cable.
6. Connect the I/O Module or breadboard component to the Hub.
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General Precautions for the TI-Innovator™ Hub
TI-Innovator™Hub
• Do not expose the Hub to temperatures above 140˚F (60˚C).
• Do not disassemble or mistreat the Hub.
• Do not chain together multiple Hubs through the I/O ports or the Breadboard
Connector.
• Use only the USB cables provided with the Hub.
• Use only the TI provided power supplies:
- TIWallCharger included with the TI-Innovator™Hub
- Optional External Battery Pack
- 4AA battery holder included in the TI-Innovator™ Breadboard Pack
• Ensure that the components receiving power from the Hub do not exceed the Hub's
1-amp power limit.
• Avoid using the Hub to control AC electricity.
Breadboard Connector on the Hub
• Do not insert the leads of LEDs and other components directly into the Hub’s
Breadboard Connector. Assemble the components on the breadboard and use the
provided jumper cables to connect the breadboard to the Hub.
• Do not connect the 5V receptacle pin on the Hub's Breadboard Connector to any of
the other pins, especially the ground pins. Doing so could damage the Hub.
• Connecting the top row of receptacle pins (BB1-10) to the bottom row (grounding
and power pins) is not recommended.
• No pin on the Hub's Breadboard Connector can sink or source greater than 4 mA.
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