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SpinneretWifi, what should it have onboard? — Parallax Forums

SpinneretWifi, what should it have onboard?

tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
edited 2013-05-02 18:32 in Accessories
As I could see that most of the time you will rotate or open/close something,
I based the PCB on that a servo will be attached 75% of time.

What I got so far:
Micro-usb for power (maybe a lifepo4 charging IC) and also probably a ftdi IC
1 port that connects to a 4 channel 12bit ADC
1 port as the original Spinnerete.
2 servo headers.
1 port for a dual h-bridge (1 amp)

What I will leave out:
RTC, instead use a web timeserver.
MicroSD, instead use the cloud.

Assembled pcb should be ready in 4-6 weeks ($49) and after
100 units have been sold/reserved it will be completely open source.

Comments

  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-01-01 12:06
    I think you should have an sd card to store webpage files.

    What are using for the WiFi module?
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-03 09:07
    Still no plans for a SD card slot but instead
    I will add a 4Mbit (512kb) SPI flash as that will only add 35cents to the cost.

    The wifi module (I leave unamend) uses SPI and will only take up 6 Prop pins,
    it has internal TCP stack so Prop does not have to deal with that headache.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-01-03 10:34
    Tony,

    This looks very interesting! Well done!

    How many I/O pins are there available? Granted, some are brought out to the servos and some to the h-bridge.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-03 12:47
    Pins used:
    Wifi... 6
    A/D + FlashMem + external SPI (shared)... 6
    Dual H-bridge (for a stepper, 2 motors or 4 relays)... 5
    Servos... 2
    I2c... 2
    uart... 2
    button & led( shared) 1
    Total reserved... 24
    So I will bring out 8 more, maybe to a small prototype area.
    Comp Video or VGA?? (probably not)
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-01-03 12:50
    I'd vote prototype. You can always prototype to video or VGA but it's hard to go the other way. I'd also see this remote to the user, sensing and operating things.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-01-03 12:53
    Tony- what's the purpose of the pcb cutout? Is it made to fit into an enclosure with battery?
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-03 13:31
    No, it's so you can share mounting screws with servo for a cleaner installation.
    Servo1.gif
    740 x 320 - 27K
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-11 00:26
    Made some progress.
    Uses 6mhz crystal and ftdi uart
    What left to do is add the A/D IC and dual h-bridge IC (though it start getting crowded)

    Proto area have P16-P23 brought out.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-01-11 01:20
    Looking good!!
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-14 00:05
    It is all done.
    Only thing I want to double check is if I share the optional Vin (5-12v) with the USB power rail safetly.

    Headers are lined up on the same x-axis incase you want to make a shield.
    spinneretwifi.jpg
    1024 x 635 - 92K
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-21 20:27
    Final !
    If you compare the pcb to the newly added DC power jack (3A rated), it's pretty small.

    Also added 1.5A current limit switch for the USB port, (connect it to Vin by software)

    I can not think of anything else to add, so I will order a few PCB now.
    WiFi_final.jpg
    851 x 849 - 177K
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2013-01-21 21:27
    I would add some silkscreen labels for the pins, but other than that it looks good.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-01-21 21:48
    I may remove FTDI chip in later reversion as Uart over TCP is pretty simple to archive.

    And instead it uses a dual boot system.
    One with my original firmware (write protected) where you press the switch 3 times to connect to SSID through a beacon another device is sending.
    And then it lets you reprogram the second eeprom (or maybe the SPI flash) with your software over wifi.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,241
    edited 2013-01-22 09:35
    I've been wanting wifi for the spinneret ... I'm exited about your efforts!

    My solution was to use Netgear's Universal WiFi adapter:

    33-122-373-TS?$S300W$


    It works great but not as neat as "all on one board" solution.

    Paul
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2013-05-02 12:50
    I just use a $20.00 mini repeater. Works good but I would love one of these.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2013-05-02 18:32
    I have made 6 pcb add-on board for the QuickStart and 6 generic add-on board that uses this cc3000 wifi module.
    I will try to get some boards made this weekend and put them up for sale.
    Basic software routines I have gotten to work, but the lack of official documentation makes it harder.
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