CloudACM – Page 89 – Autonomous Computational Machines

Cord Cutters Part 2 – Breaking the bonds of the power conglomerate

February 3, 2014 Patrick Gilfeather

It turns out there are 2 module boards that connect to the device. The first is the USB module that we currently use. The second is a Serial module that uses RS323 to communicate. Both of these modules connect to the device through a 9 pin connector. However, neither of these modules had any published information specific to board layout, schematics, or even theory of operation. I was able to source a RS323 / TTL converter and a bluetooth module. …

Cord Cutters Part 1 – Breaking the bonds of the power conglomerate

January 31, 2014 Patrick Gilfeather

It’s been my hope for quite sometime that my studies would eventually be tasked to solve a real world problem. My current day to day work has little to do with electrical engineering or micro control applications. We simply operate like most of the general population and purchase, instead of develop. Recently we had deployed a device that interfaces using a USB cable. That device is in a rather harsh environment and care has to be taken to prevent damage….

Radio Frequency Links – Seemless connection options

January 30, 2014 Patrick Gilfeather

Another requirement for this quarter was to explore the different connection options available. I did a browse of the offerings from the folks at Sparkfun and found quite of few. There were some really inexpensive RF modules that look promising. RF Link Transmitter – 434MHz RF Link Receiver – 4800bps (434MHz) There were a bunch of other options and of course bluetooth modules. The basic RF link looked like I could use if for both analog and digital signals. Some…