Roboat

This project aims at testing the feasibility of driving an object using a GPS and a digital compass. In this case, the object is a model boat that can sail autonomously along a course planned in advance. The HC908GP20 stores the coordinates of the waypoints to follow and, according to the data received from the GPS and from the digital compass, controls the electric motor for the propeller and the proportional servo for the rudder.

A MON08 interface allows the connection with the ICS08GP20 board, in order to control Roboat directly from a PC for testing purpose and when new waypoints coordinates need to be stored.

The software is written in assembler for the HC908GP20 and controls all the functions of Roboat. The main actions range from starting the propeller and powering up GPS to acquiring data from the digital compass to computing the course correction in order to head towards the next waypoint.

Because of all the computations with coordinates, plenty of effort was put into developing routines in assembler to deal with simplified mathematics, in order to handle arithmetic operation with four-byte numbers, azimuth angles, and the trigonometric function ArcTangent.

Riccardo Rocca
Piacenza, Italy
riccardo.rocca@iol.it
For more information see http://users.iol.it/riccardo.rocca

sCo*Pilot

The unprecedented functionality of modern digital oscilloscopes (as well as other test equipment) is unquestionable. Many modern digital scopes are eclipsing their analog counterparts in applications ranging from digital systems debug to RF design.

However, the advantages of many of these advanced capabilities can be somewhat negated by cumbersome user interfaces. Sometimes there are not enough buttons (function keys) on the scope, or quantities intuitively associated with knobs require multiple keystrokes to adjust.

As the name implies, the sCo-Pilot is a device intended to function as a "copilot" for operating an oscilloscope. Targeted at the Tektronix THS series of handheld digital oscilloscopes, the sCo-Pilot functions as a "copilot" between the user and the scope by providing human interface enhancement to the THS scope. The sCo-Pilot eliminates the frustration and confusion of using the scope’s native "soft keys" to cycle through hierarchical menus. The single button access to commonly used features, knobs (with acceleration) for adjusting analog quantities, and LED status indication have dramatically increased user efficiency and usability of the THS scopes (or other digitally controlled instruments).

Considered a research topic for years, neural networks is now a mature technology with proven performances, in particular for pattern recognition and process control. However, the use of neural networks techniques in embedded systems is still limited, mainly due to the poor offering of ready-made low cost hardware platforms and dedicated development tools. To improve this situation, Robert designed a low-cost canned neural network implementation he calls the Neural’Stamp.

Thanks to the NS’Drive, Neural’Stamp can be a quick and cost-effective solution for medium complexity embedded control applications. The speed of the HC908GP20 gives the Neural’Stamp a response time of 50 ms, which is adequate for the majority of process control applications.

And if one Neural’Stamp isn’t enough for a given application, several Neural’Stamp macro-chips can be easily chained to build more complex networks.

Because the microcontroller still has a lot of free RAM and flash memory, there’s room for improvements such as including learning algorithms directly on the target processor, which could open the door to adaptive in-field training.

Similar to the "black box" on airplanes, The Witness keeps track of valuable information that can be used as evidence or accident reconstruction. The Witness stores the information as time-coded packets of data into a battery-backed-up SRAM. Each packet has a CRC for error checking. If the unfortunate happens and an accident occurs, the device would be retrieved and the data would be transferred to a PC software package. Using the information from the device, a computer-generated simulation of the accident can be created. Insurance companies, police departments, lawyers, accident victims, and so on, could use the simulation as evidence to determine the cause of the accident.

When the car is turned on, the device begins checking the sensors every 100 ms. If the sensor data changes, a time-stamped packet is stored into SRAM. Sensor data would include accelerometers, headlights or blinkers, brakes, as well as side or bumper impact switches.

Nobody likes to think about getting in an accident, but if you do you’ll be glad that you had The Witness with you (unless, of course, you’re guilty!).

William M. Beals
wmbeals@compuserve.com
APRS Weather Station: This project gathers raw data from a Dallas Semiconductor 1-wire sensor unit. Current and averaged data for wind speed, direction, and temperature are displayed on an LCD and also formatted for transmission over the amateur radio APRS (Amateur Packet Reporting System) network.

Mike Timmons
mike_timmons@trimble.com
Lightstripe Sensor: 6HC908GP20 clocks and samples pixels in array of Texas Instruments TSL218 pixel linear arrays. A numerical integration scheme permits detection of incident light stripe. Intended for use an non-contact, linear position sensor

Lane Miller
jmiller@acc.mcneese.edu
Remote humidity sensor and controller: The device uses the GP20 to sense ambient and internal humidity and temperature in pianos. It is designed for locations with multiple pianos. It allows radio communication with a central computer which may be remotely controlled by telephone by another computer

Mark Alan Patterson
docpat@juno.com
Automatic DSS Dish Controller: This project has the operator enter in their lat/long and the controller automatically positions the dish to point directly at the satellite. This is used primarily in the RV market and mounted on the roofs of RVs with the controller internal to the RV

Dan Lefrancois & Chris Mott
lefranco@interchange.ubc.ca
Environment Analyzer: Hand-held data-acquisition device, used to measure light, temperature, sound, pressure, humidity, acceleration, and magnetism. Includes a real-time clock and LCD.

Stephen Forrest
sforrest@xtra.co.nz
BY1500 Gate Controls: Controller for sliding gate operator.

Jed Margolin
jmargolin@aol.com
Stand-alone controller for an IDE CD-ROM drive: A stand-alone controller for an IDE CD-ROM drive permits the playing of audio CDs recorded on CD-RW discs. The stand-alone controller also permits reading the CD-ROM drive’s characteristics without having to install the drive in a computer