HSC2011/Software

there will be different software components involved

there is a firmware on each device

there will be a hostsoftware (webserver) that runs on the pc/laptop

this webserver will provide a webinterface to the javascript application

there are positions open for

• the webserver/serialcom (python) amir implements this job with java
• the webfrontend application logic (javascript)
• the webfrontent design (CSS)
• firmware and protocoldesign (AVR)

firmware

The current firmware is written by clifford and chrysn and is currently capable of both being a buzzer and being a base station; the base station can control all the hardware in the buzzers and receive events. It can be checked out from the firmware part of the project repository.

During firmware development, a serial protocol was developed, which is documented alongside the firmware.

Open issues are in descending priority:

• redirect messages for controlling the base station itself
• fine-tuning timing for re-sends and responses (may only need validation)
• virtual machine, including read/write commands
  • compiler
• reading battery status (might require some hardware modification)
• reading RSSI state
• multicasts
• removing arduino specific stuff to reduce resource usage (not a priority unless resources become a real problem)

PC server

There is a proof-of-concept implementation of a serial controller and a simple voting game for debugging purposes in the repository. It demonstrates that the firmware can also do logins, handle disconnected clients and respond to events.