Just a small update today on what I’ve been working on.
- nRF51422 – Talking to the ADS1247 on the SPI bus, figuring out the reference code, and reading and writing pins.
- Looking into Gyro’s. They have very very high current consumption. 4.2 – 6.4ma. This is much to high. I can’t find any stats on start up time. Sleep mode doesn’t reduce current below 2ma. Still too high.
- Strain Gauges – Not much new, but I’m hoping I can find 1000 ohm gauges instead of 350 ohm. This will save power
- Toaster Oven – I’ve decided to make a reflow oven. This should speed testing new circuit boards. I have an SSR on order, and a thermocouple and sensor chip on order from Adafruit. Let’s see if I get dinged with Tarrifs.
- I’m interested in going to the ANT+ Symposium in Sept, but looks like I’ll have to upgrade to Alliance Membership. $1500 dollars a year is a little hard to swallow right now. If I’m in the market for beta testers by June I’ll sign up then and just suck it up.
- Beta Testers – If you’re a cyclist in Ontario or know someone who might be interested in testing my next prototypes have them drop me a line at either kwakeham@gmail.com or kwakeham@accuity.com. Oh no, I gave away my new company name! Website coming in a month.
- I’m thinking about making the board, or a variation of it, available to the hacker community. The plan would be to have space that other sensors (Accelerometer, Gyro, Magnetometer, General Purpose Analog Input with Gain [ADS1247/8]). Idea for now. ANT+ for all I say (but become an Adopter to get the ANT+ Key of course at www.thisisant.com )
- Below is some testing. I’m sure all are becoming familiar with my laptop layout.
- While I might pick up a BTLE sensor Tag from TI, I have no ambition to pursue BTLE at this time. Cost mainly. ANT+ will require FCC + $1500 membership + $750 device registration / testing. BTLE requires $22500. I am not joking. I became a BTLE adopter and I can barely understand the documentation and only have the vaguest ideas how it works compared with ANT+. Right now that’s a learning curve I am not willing to accept. If Accuity gets off the ground, has people test some prototypes, then I’ll reconsider.
