Greetings All! I'm a final year EE engineering student working with microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application through the internet. While i have some know how of the software required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and multitasking. Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of electrical hardware i can handle. Thanks in Advance, Devyn
Embedded Internet
Started by ●February 19, 2004
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
"Devyn" <devyntt@yahoo.com> skrev i meddelandet news:e2769bfd.0402182239.90eaa71@posting.google.com...> Greetings All! > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > through the internet. While i have some know how of the software > required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My > profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and > multitasking. > > Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a > serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of > electrical hardware i can handle. >Maybe connect to a cellular phone using a serial (not USB) datacable. The controller is sending Modem style AT commands to the phone and get replies. Have been working on this during the last week, and can now control the LEDs on my AVR STK500 development board from the accessory menus on my T68 Google for "t68_at_commands_dg_ver1_external.pdf" (for this you need the Sony-Ericsson T68 mobile phone but you may be able to find other combination phone/AT command manual) The controller typically have to handle a few interrupt routines. Serial port TX & RX System clock tick Maybe a few keys that initiate transfer. I have worked on several applications that handle this communication and the simpler ones may not need multitasking, but the more complex ones use multitasking. Since it is just for fun, why not have each task handle the status of a key and then let each task communicate with the common AT task which serializes commands to the phone. A good end application is to send an SMS (Short Message Service) to another phone and the contents of the SMS is depending on what key you are pressing. -- Best Regards, Ulf Samuelsson ulf@a-t-m-e-l.com This is a personal view which may or may not be share by my Employer Atmel Nordic AB> Thanks in Advance, > Devyn
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 22:39:06 -0800, Devyn wrote:> Greetings All! > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > through the internet. While i have some know how of the software > required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My > profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and > multitasking. > > Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a > serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of > electrical hardware i can handle. > > Thanks in Advance, > DevynHow about a home environmental control system? This is a project in progress, the top table of links aren't fleshed out yet but the bottom group do work on the embedded 8051. http://www.amresearch.com:2005 and http://www.amresearch.com:2005/test.html Other Embedded Ethernet projects might be: - Security System - Landscape Controller - Solar water heater - Off-line refrigeration for environmental control - Home defense system - Entertainment system And a _lot_ more. I don't see the utility in putting a refrigerator online but someone has already done that but when targeted applications can be put online for cheap your imagination is the limit. -- Regards, Albert ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AM Research, Inc. The Embedded Systems Experts http://www.amresearch.com 916.780.7623 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
"Ulf Samuelsson" <ulf@atmel.nospam.com> wrote in message news:Ed_Yb.804$EV2.3752@amstwist00...> > > "Devyn" <devyntt@yahoo.com> skrev i meddelandet > news:e2769bfd.0402182239.90eaa71@posting.google.com... > > Greetings All! > > > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > > through the internet. While i have some know how of the software > > required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My > > profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and > > multitasking. > > > > Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a > > serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of > > electrical hardware i can handle. > > > > Maybe connect to a cellular phone using a serial (not USB) datacable. > The controller is sending Modem style AT commands to the phone and get > replies. > Have been working on this during the last week, and can now control > the LEDs on my AVR STK500 development board from the > accessory menus on my T68 > > Google for "t68_at_commands_dg_ver1_external.pdf" > (for this you need the Sony-Ericsson T68 mobile phone but you may be able to > find other > combination phone/AT command manual) > > The controller typically have to handle a few interrupt routines. > Serial port TX & RX > System clock tick > Maybe a few keys that initiate transfer. > > I have worked on several applications that handle this communication and the > simpler > ones may not need multitasking, but the more complex ones use multitasking. > > Since it is just for fun, why not have each task handle the status of a key > and then let each task communicate with the common AT task which > serializes commands to the phone. > > A good end application is to send an SMS (Short Message Service) to another > phone > and the contents of the SMS is depending on what key you are pressing. >Maybe take Ulf's suggestion one step further and make a portable weather station with cell phone-internet access that can measure temp, rainfall, humidity, and maybe take a picture. This would be usefull to people who want to check up on remote property in the mountains or something (like me). If you get fancy, you could have the microcontroller be in sleep mode for 59 minutes every hour, and wake up the last minute and turn the cell phone on. If there are any queries to a land line connected server, the server can dial the cell phone and download the current weather info (and maybe a photo). If there are no queries, then the cell phone shuts off and the unit sleeps for 59 minutes and repeats. In this way, the cell phone is mostly off, and when it is on, it is mostly in standby mode waiting for a call. I bet you could get battery life of months for the whole thing. Guaranteed A in your class. Rick
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
Albert Lee Mitchell said...> On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 22:39:06 -0800, Devyn wrote: > > > Greetings All! > > > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > > through the internet.Can't help but to notice the good responses he's getting by being upfront about this being school-related as opposed to the the ones posting poorly-disguised homework questions.> And a _lot_ more. I don't see the utility in putting a refrigerator > online but someone has already done that but when targeted applications > can be put online for cheap your imagination is the limit.How about an on-line refrigerator with an optical beer-counter inside? With a web-enabled cellphone you could easily decide the correct amount to purchase while standing in the grocery store. Casey
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
"Rick" <rick@skyko.com> wrote in message news:3k4Zb.48587$1S1.37767@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...> > "Ulf Samuelsson" <ulf@atmel.nospam.com> wrote in message > news:Ed_Yb.804$EV2.3752@amstwist00... > > > > > > "Devyn" <devyntt@yahoo.com> skrev i meddelandet > > news:e2769bfd.0402182239.90eaa71@posting.google.com... > > > Greetings All! > > > > > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > > > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > > > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > > > through the internet. While i have some know how of the software > > > required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My > > > profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and > > > multitasking. > > > > > > Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a > > > serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of > > > electrical hardware i can handle. > > > > > > > Maybe connect to a cellular phone using a serial (not USB) datacable. > > The controller is sending Modem style AT commands to the phone and get > > replies. > > Have been working on this during the last week, and can now control > > the LEDs on my AVR STK500 development board from the > > accessory menus on my T68 > > > > Google for "t68_at_commands_dg_ver1_external.pdf" > > (for this you need the Sony-Ericsson T68 mobile phone but you may beable to> > find other > > combination phone/AT command manual) > > > > The controller typically have to handle a few interrupt routines. > > Serial port TX & RX > > System clock tick > > Maybe a few keys that initiate transfer. > > > > I have worked on several applications that handle this communication andthe> > simpler > > ones may not need multitasking, but the more complex ones usemultitasking.> > > > Since it is just for fun, why not have each task handle the status of akey> > and then let each task communicate with the common AT task which > > serializes commands to the phone. > > > > A good end application is to send an SMS (Short Message Service) toanother> > phone > > and the contents of the SMS is depending on what key you are pressing. > > > > Maybe take Ulf's suggestion one step further and make a portable weatherstation> with cell phone-internet access that can measure temp, rainfall, humidity,and> maybe take a picture. This would be usefull to people who want to checkup on> remote property in the mountains or something (like me). If you getfancy, you> could have the microcontroller be in sleep mode for 59 minutes every hour,and> wake up the last minute and turn the cell phone on. If there are anyqueries to> a land line connected server, the server can dial the cell phone anddownload> the current weather info (and maybe a photo). If there are no queries,then the> cell phone shuts off and the unit sleeps for 59 minutes and repeats. Inthis> way, the cell phone is mostly off, and when it is on, it is mostly instandby> mode waiting for a call. I bet you could get battery life of months forthe> whole thing. Guaranteed A in your class. > > Rick > >Why not utilise GPRS and have the controller send the info via email, ftp, etc by itself to some server on the internet.
Reply by ●February 19, 20042004-02-19
Devyn <devyntt@yahoo.com> wrote:> Greetings All!> I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > implement an embedded sys. I thought of controlling some application > through the internet. While i have some know how of the software > required, i've absolutely no idea *what* application to control. My > profs expect me to design somethin that needs an RTOS and > multitasking.> Can anyone *suggest* an application that needs this? Also, i've a > serious allergy to mechanics and moving parts. Any amount of > electrical hardware i can handle.How about a device that will let me program my VCR from work: Display a web page displaying the 'remote' buttons. Button presses send an IR signal to the VCR. After each button press, display a captured screen of the vcr video output. For extra credit, have it answer the phone, and on receipt of a DTMF password, power up the computer/router for the poor suckers who are still on dialup [they will need ethernet + dial-on demand + dyndns].
Reply by ●February 20, 20042004-02-20
Rick wrote:> > > I'm a final year EE engineering student working with > > > microcontrollers. As part of my course i'm supposed to design and > > > implement an embedded sys.> Maybe take Ulf's suggestion one step further and make a portable weather station > with cell phone-internet access that can measure temp, rainfall, humidity, and > Guaranteed A in your class.Hi, The first time I'v heard about this kind of application, it was 6 years ago (1998) : the purpose of this system was to keep a close eye on a river and prevent inundations. The system was powered by a solar panel and NiCd cells. At this time, it use to work whit a GSM-Data phone (GPRS didn't exist). So, this project, if not really original, is a good (and usefull) embedded project. You should keep in mind that "embedded" doesn't mean it must be "self-powered" nor "handled" : It can be a realtime system, like a thermal regulation for a house... a weather station is not realtime time at all : even a PC running Win95 can do it ! Regards Emmanuel
Reply by ●February 20, 20042004-02-20
WARM Greetings Everyone! Thank you very much for the fantastic suggestions. While it will take me some time to think about all the responses, I'm sure any one will serve the purpose more than well. I guess students of my generation are lucky that we have the internet and all the good people answering questions. Once again thank you all. So far I've designed a control system that uses a weighing machine (in a rather crude way; i didnt design it myself, just ripped its' output) to keep track of the components in a storage shed. Assuming all the components weigh the same, it should be easy to calculate the no. of components leaving the shed. So once the weighing machine registers the weight, the microcontroller sends an email (through a PC; dont have time or know-how to design a TCP/IP stack) stating the no. of components that left the shed. Well, rather unimpressive, considering its an open loop control system and not very useful. I have to physically place 30 pins or whatever on the scale to get the system going. Moreover the prof wants a better RTOS. I still have about 2 months to finish it. I'll work on the replies. Regards, Devyn
Reply by ●February 20, 20042004-02-20
"Casey" <cclremovethispart@cox.net> wrote in message news:kQ5Zb.4216$23.677@lakeread04...> > Can't help but to notice the good responses he's getting by > being upfront about this being school-related as opposed to the > the ones posting poorly-disguised homework questions. >Big difference between asking for ideas vs what's_the_answer eh?> > How about an on-line refrigerator with an optical beer-counter > inside? With a web-enabled cellphone you could easily decide > the correct amount to purchase while standing in the grocery > store. > > CaseyAwesome suggestion! I hope he posts the website so I can buy one when complete. Regards, Ray