The RCX Brick

The RCX Brick is the brain behind Mindstorms and  Robolab. It is small yellow and gray box that can be programmed to contain 5 different programs. The image up top best shows what it looks like. The RCX has three inputs (one analogue, two digital) and three outputs. This means that the RCX brick can gather readings from switches (using the digital inputs), heat/light/humidity sensors (using the analogue input) and can power three motors.

The RCX is completely wireless for communication; the programs are downloaded to it using infrared. This opens the opportunity for free roaming by the RCX. Using the infrared communication two or bricks can communicate with each other, which opens up a staggering amount of ideas and uses for the RCX.

One of the more genius functions of the RCX lies in an addition file that comes with both Mindstorms and the later versions of Robolab - spirit.ocx.

Spirit.ocx allows you to programme the RCX brick through other programming languages such as Visual Basic, C++ etc. Using these programming languages it is possible to control the RCX brick in real time. For example if you press an assigned key on the keyboard the motor will turn on.