Re: Looking for Online Collaborators for a Writing Project
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:25 am
I am looking for a technical collaborator to work on a not-for-profit project involving a multiplexed robot for classroom use. Up to "n" pupils using RPIs (or whatever) may share switched access to the robot. (Where "n" is probably 32!)
The project involves a lot more than the robot but it is the hardware side I need help with. The robot nuts and bolts have been designed and we are arranging manufacture.
The current controller PCB side has reached prototype stage using USB as a connection.
The next stage is to go wireless and I want to keep the costs down - so I don't want to use an off-the-shelf plug-in board, I want to put whatever ICs are required directly onto the controller board which uses a pretty meaty Atmel ATMega256A3U.
I am open to suggestions about the technology to be used - Bluetooth springs to mind but Bluetooth gadgets do not pair at lightening speed - to say the least!
I had considered using the ICs in wireless mice/keyboards but there is probably something better or more appropriate. Broadcom probably make something suitable so if any of the RPi team read this ....
We have in-house programming skills so the software side is no problem - though we don't want to reinvent the wheel and write our own stack. We just want a simple, fairly fast (but not OTT), data link between the pupil's PC and the controller card. We have no problem developing our own comms protocol and command set if necessary.
Anyone with RF experience keen to help? No money in it (except expenses) but lots of brownie points.
The project involves a lot more than the robot but it is the hardware side I need help with. The robot nuts and bolts have been designed and we are arranging manufacture.
The current controller PCB side has reached prototype stage using USB as a connection.
The next stage is to go wireless and I want to keep the costs down - so I don't want to use an off-the-shelf plug-in board, I want to put whatever ICs are required directly onto the controller board which uses a pretty meaty Atmel ATMega256A3U.
I am open to suggestions about the technology to be used - Bluetooth springs to mind but Bluetooth gadgets do not pair at lightening speed - to say the least!
I had considered using the ICs in wireless mice/keyboards but there is probably something better or more appropriate. Broadcom probably make something suitable so if any of the RPi team read this ....
We have in-house programming skills so the software side is no problem - though we don't want to reinvent the wheel and write our own stack. We just want a simple, fairly fast (but not OTT), data link between the pupil's PC and the controller card. We have no problem developing our own comms protocol and command set if necessary.
Anyone with RF experience keen to help? No money in it (except expenses) but lots of brownie points.

No problem. I've been busy with life stuff, as well. I was just wondering if the books was forgotten and lost already, haha.