My Recent PDB Project

robot mogul

My recent PDB has had alot of questions attached, like "Is a 112 x 16 Serial Graphic VFD Display compatible with the PDB?" and more in my forum post Parallax Professional Developement Board on the forums, and they have all been answered, so I was ready to go. So I am making a schematic for a home control panel, but I am waiting for responses from my group, to get me the schematics so I can transfer them to PCB's and prefferably auto route them. It has been a dream of mine ever since I first heard about the PDB. Can anybody help me (please pitch schematics from DipTrace).

This is its main purpose:
To install with all electrical appliances in home to completely automate the selected place with a PDB and Basic Stamp 2.

Main Components:
Optical system
Seven Segment Display
Crystal (pattern 2SMX)
Voltage Sensitive Resistor
BS2
Ping Ultrasonic Sensors (4)

Optional:
Feel free to add any of your ideas to the schematic

Budget:
$400-$900

Granz

RM,

Looks like an interesting project. Any advances yet?

Two suggestions for you to consider:

1) I just bought several X-10 modules (lamp and appliance, but there are *BUNCHES* of additional modules available) for around $5 each from e-Bay. I also got a PSC04 interface so that my Prop can send X-10 signals. These are pretty simple to install and can do lots of different functions. All the signals run over the power lines and the modules either plug into a wall outlet, or can actually replace the in-wall outlet or light switch. This makes the job of turning devices on and off a lot easier than running extra wires and using relays. You can even get modules to open and close your drapes. The PSC04 that I purchased is only for transmitting X-10 codes, if you want to receive signals from the power line, get the PSC05, that has receive capability in addition to the send.

2) The Propeller has a lot more capability than the BS-II. You may want to consider getting the PPDB (http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/515/Default.aspx) rather than your BS-II PDB. You could also get a simpler Prop board (look into the Propeller Proto Board I][url]http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/509/Default.aspx[/url][/I, Nick's Gadget Gangster Propeller Platform (http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/711/Default.aspx) or the QuickStart I][url]http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/748/Default.aspx[/url][/I). While the BS-II can speak to the X-10 modules and turn devices on and off (X-10 commands are built-in to the BS-II BASIC), the Propeller has a lot more room for programs and can handle much more in the way of controlling devices and working with schedules and so forth. The Propeller does not have X-10 commands built in to it's native language, but there is a program (object) that sends commands to X-10 modules in the Object Exchange (http://obex.parallax.com/objects/461/). That object is for the PSC05, but since it only handles sending of codes, it will work on the PSC04 as well, so you could purchase either of those modules.

Good luck with your project, and keep us up-to-date on what you are doing. Some of us are interested (that's why I got my X-10 modules to begin with )