PIC Kit 2

I got the PicKit 2 in a couple weeks ago and have been playing around with it. I have downloaded a couple C compilers to test out. The program to run on the 12F683 will be simple enough to write in assembly but I need to be able to use the C code provided by DLP for the DLP-TEMP to communicate over USB, their code was compiled with the CCS compiler

Initial Concept

The design is really pretty simple(and cheap!), the only thing that adds a bit of complexity is adding a clock to the box. Having everything use USB to plug into the laptop will make sure any laptop made in the last 8 years or any made in the future can be used.

PIC Programming

I just ordered a PICkit2 which will help me test out my plan for the PIC12f683 that will count wheelsensor pulses. Because of the how the DLP-TEMP is setup with the 3 inputs, only one signal can be setup as an interrupt. I'm planning on hooking up the wheelsensor pulse to this interrupt channel so that I can be sure to never lose a pulse(which would cause error in the distance measurement). That leaves the issue of how to interface the DS32kHz chip to the 12f683. My current plan is to use the DS32kHz to drive a Dallas Semiconductors real time clock, and then the be able to pull the current time when polled using I2C. I have found some general forum posts that seem to indicate this is possible but I will have to test it out.

Beginning a new iteration

I have developed many rally computer systems that I have use to some success competing in TAMSCC rallies, my new project, which I plan to post the progress of here regularly, is to design a system that competes directly with the traditional 'A' box(Alfa Elite, etc) dedicated rally box that can be used widely by people competing in SCCA style rallies.

The goal is to develop a system that is cheaper, easier to use, and better than traditional 'A' box rally computers. The software program will be open source, free for anyone to use(past versions are already up on my rallyetime googlecode page). It will run on any modern laptop(windows at first, possibly cross platform) that has a USB port. I'm going with a laptop instead of other platforms simply because it is the most common, and also offers a lot of features like easily being able to pre input lots of information quickly, and having effectively no processing limitations. I have run lots of rallies as a nav while holding a laptop, so I don't think that will be an issue. I plan on being able to produce the hardware and sell (almost)plug n play systems including everything you need besides a laptop for about $100 to anyone who wants to use it(or you could always just build your own hardware)

The main hardware component will be the DLP 3 channel DAQ card with the PIC 12f683 reprogrammed to accurately keep track of distance measured from the wheelsensor. The PIC will also get an accurate time signal from a DS32kHz tcxo so that the system doesn't have to rely on the laptop's internal clock.

The only installation for the hardware would of course be having to mount the wheelsensor and magnets somewhere on the wheel/driveline. Other than that it will be plug n play, you just install the program on the laptop, plug the wheelsensor into the hardware box, and the hardware box into a usb port on the laptop and its fully operational.

You will be able to optionally add a CrystalFontz USB LCD screen to the system for a drivers display, or also any USB GPS Receiver to be used with in the program just to record where you went and draw a trail on a satellite view map. A power inverter to run the laptop would be recommended, so that the battery doesn't go dead in the middle of a rallye.