Monday, May 31, 2010

We're DONE!! :)

We finished up last Thurs :)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Lessons Learned

1. Debugger hates me!!! argh!!! Somehow, the debugger just doesn't like me using a struct for my code. It's been acting really weird for the past few days.
2. You can't pass an array through a function! You need a pointer!
3. SPI is so problematic. I wish we had our debugger working.

Probably got another 6am hi5!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Shape of things to come

As we just passed the first check-point, the second check-point and project preview are right around the corner. There are so many things that we still need to do. So, we meet up to list the things that we need to accomplish before then.

First Priority:
1. Xbee Transmit on DCH - Wisit
2. SPI communication between the master PIC and other PICs - Wisit and Meghan
  • Relay commands from HC to each PIC (motor, servo, ...) accordingly
  • Communicate with security controller (water-logged to DCH display) - Meghan
  • Make sure that we have enough ports to slave-select these PICs
3. Complete HC Communication State Machine - Nick

Second Priority:
1. Hardware + software of display
2. Sensors for HC
3. Circuits to be built
4. Motors + servos mounts (propulsion, display, ...)
5. Crab math on the master PIC

Notes to ourselves:
  • Test RFID reader from inside the tupperware and plexiglass

First Check Off

  • Completed first check point today.
  • Meeting later today to determine where we go from here

Monday, May 10, 2010

Boat Update


  • Checked off on the boat today.
  • It can support plenty of weight.
  • We will have to pay a little attention to weight distribution. Could try to lower the center of gravity by adding weight into the hulls.
  • Used Plexiglas as platform so we can see the crab pot as we come over it
  • Has an array of bolt holes, so the platforms can be moved backward/forward slightly.
  • Need to determine how much foams needs to come off the hulls, and then we can add the motors.
  • Picture of boat at this point is attached.

HC Radio

  • Finally got the HC radio working after two days of debugging. Turned out that I #defined the length of the message to be 0x11, when I really meant it to be simply 11. Bah!
  • Finished up a test harness for the XBee checkpoint. It sends one of two messages based on a user keyboard strike.
  • Started the electrical design/diagrams for the HC. Need to figure out of there is a library available from ED which takes care of the AD Ports for the E128. (He has one for the C32)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Nick's Work

  • Started HC Communications. Using E128 SCI
  • Need to ask some questions to clarify some things before I move on
  • Once I was too tired to code I worked on the boat
  • Finished components of structure
  • Idea worked well. Can disassemble if necessary
  • Tested boat once again out on the pond. Held ~10lbs. Stable
  • Plan on working HC communications again tomorrow