Recent Sample Design Projects

Transcription

1 Recent Sample Design Projects Vending Machine Controller Our client's objective was for a reliable and budget Snack Vending controller with the ability to upgrade the software easily and collect sales data. Vending Machine Controller The design required the latest flash micro controller with communications for three different money acceptors including MDB. The control of 32 x 24v DC motors required a rugged design with full current and short circuit protection. As code space was to be at a premium the software was written in assembly language. Page 1

2 User Interface & Display The user interface, located separately, was designed to be a peripheral on the MDB Bus for vending machines. A smaller flash micro was chosen to directly multiplex the LEDs and read the keypad. Firmware Upgrade and Data Collection Unit (FISP) Although there are many AVR in circuit programmers, most of them were not designed for client upgrades. The concept for the FISP was to make it as easy as possible for the user to upgrade their software by posting them this unit. If they collect the sales data electronically from their machine the software upgrades would be carried out without user intervention. This product again uses a Flash micro with a large external flash. The software for this device is written in C and the PC application in C++ Builder. Page 2

3 Garage Door Operator We have been designing products and supporting this client since 1988 when we first developed a, now patented, system for them. Due to the number of competitors in this area, all products had to have the most features, best reliability and still be very cheap. Controllers Two controllers were required, one for AC motors and the second for DC motors. Both of these implement the patented PLL algorithm and end stop adjustment calculations. These algorithms are implemented in assembly language on Motorola HC05 processors and later ported to C for the Flash micro. Infrared Beam for Entrapment Protection Designed for entrapment protection on Garage doors, this device used a synchronised pulse system to reduce the effects of ambient light. This was implemented on a small HC05 micro to meet the UL specs. Wireless Keypad To run off a battery for at least a year this was designed around a low power HC05 micro. Multiple doors and multiple codes were required for this unit. KeyFob Transmitters Over the years many different transmitter frequencies and coding techniques have been used. The latest being a secure code hopping technique using a FM frequency designed and approved for most countries in the world. Modular Receivers Several different modular receivers had been designed for the various worldwide requirements. Now this has settled to one worldwide frequency, only one FM receiver is in production. Page 3

4 Skylight and Blind Openers Our clients supplied a specification to develop from scratch two new units with more features but still fitting in the existing enclosures. Basic Controller All electronics were designed to fit in a standard wall flush box, this unit was to be very cheap and reliable. Four current limited motor channels were required with a rain sensor for automatic closure. The design was implemented on a small HC05 micro and the software written in assembly language. Advanced controller Designed for several different motors, currents for sensitivity needed to be measured and set for each motor type. This time 4 rain sensors were required and operation depended on user settings. The unit had to be controlled from two keypads on this unit and if another unit was connected then up to two keypads from another linked unit and 8 motors. Battery operation was also required. This was implemented on an Atmel AVR micro with the software written in C. User Interface Keypad The units were designed to fit into a wall flush box and be located at some distance from the advanced controller. Also required was an infrared receiver with secure communications for intrusion protection. This was implemented on a small AVR micro in assembly language. Secure Infrared Remote Control Running on two AAA batteries this secure remote control was designed around a PIC low voltage micro. Page 4

5 CCD Camera Designed for a home security system, this device took pictures on request, sent them over the LON network where they were eventually logged and displayed on a PC. This design utilised a small CCD video camera, and a frame grabber implemented in an FPGA which grabbed frames on request, encoded them, and transmitted them over the Echelon LON network via RS485. This project was designed around a Motorola LON and FPGA and micro written in assembler. Even though this project had a small budget and only 8 weeks till production it was completed on time and on budget. Communications Interfaces This client produces many products for the telecom industry. Even though they have their own R&D division they contract our services when their resources are low. V.14 Async to Sync Converter. Designed solely around a FPGA the unit was to replace an existing product where the main IC was no longer manufactured. The unit was designed to operate up to 128Kbps. V.25S to 64Kb G703 FPGA Design. The client supplied the hardware platform and a partial schematic design. From this the FPGA was designed. Final testing was carried out by the client with complete satisfaction. Customer specific 64Kbit multiplexer FPGA Design. Again on the same client supplied hardware platform, we designed a 3 to 1 bidirectional bit orientated multiplexer with the dual Xilinx FPGAs on a very tight schedule. It was fully tested in house and testing at the clients premises on their equipment showed it to be superior in all ways to a competitors product. Multichannel True RMS AC Current meter and timer. This product was designed for testing and monitoring of a range of consumer products. The product had to fit into a very tight space and still be user friendly. The main computer board incorporated a 16bit NEC micro and an Analog Devices DSP. The micro software was written in Borland C and debugged with Paradign Remote Debugger. The DSP code was written in assembler. The fully isolated analog board incorporated a 4 channel 16bit Burr Brown Analog to Digital Converter. The Page 5

6 Keyboard which had 47 Keys and 68 LEDs used an Atmel AVR micro and the software was written in assembly language. Gaming Machine Management Unit Designed to be retrofitted to 3 rd party casino type gaming machines, this unit counted meter pulses and monitored door openings inside the machine. This unit could be fitted to any manufacturer's machine and supplied a true independent audit and management of all machines connected to the particular site. While in its first on site trial it identified the times money was going missing which led directly to a staff member who was stealing money. Management had thought they had a secure site. This design is based around a Motorola HC11 and the software is written in C. All gaming machines are connected via a proprietary RS485 data link to a supervisor station which sends all data to the Gaming Management Company. Agricultural Spraying and Mapping Computer This project was to design a rugged 486 laptop computer that could be used mainly in a plane, or tractor. After selecting already available modules eg. Ampro 486 PC104 car, LCD display, Flash Hard Disk Drive, the rest of the project was designing in the peripherals eg. Automatic contrast adjustment, LCD backlight dimming, Power supply, Keypad and network communications. Most of this was carried out using Xilinx CPLD and specific laptop ICs. Full Vibration, Environment and EMI tests were carried out on the unit in New Zealand and the US. Page 6