Metaboard/2010 activities

/!\ draft /!\

---

As of September 2010, user:reox and user:chrysn are about to build some microcontroller stuff, partially based on the metaboard, and centered around home automation.

People who want to participate are invited to join, even if there is just a small overlap between the things we build.

Goals

• Physical goals:
  • Build remote sensors that monitor room parameters; those should be as cheap as possible (<10€)
  • Build a base station for those sensors that can be used both for receiving and programming the sensors
  • Build a version of said base station that can also control that can emit DMX signals
• Learning goals:
  • Planning a physical computing device from standard components
  • Physically creating the devices
• Community interaction goals:
  • Document the learning experience
  • Enhance tools used

Implementation

• Microcontrollers: Atmel AVR (ATmega and ATtiny; chosen for availability of existing infrastructure (gcc, arduino libraries) and widespread use in similar applications)
• PCB implementation: single sided PCB with no SMD components
• Board base: metaboard (at least for the base station)
• RF communication: ISM band using HopeRF RFM12

Resources

Links

• RFM12 supplier website: http://www.hoperf.com/rf_fsk/rfm12.htm
• RFM12 tutorial: http://blog.strobotics.com.au/2008/06/17/rfm12-tutorial-part2/