MultiSpork

I just had a fascinating conversation with Adrian Fernandez from TI about some cool stuff that's coming out for the CC3200 that may end up optimizing out the Atmel chip. Watch this space...

This weekend, I finally got around to writing an Arduino library for the MAX11300. I know it compiles, but I have yet to test it much beyond that. Note that it also does not enforce configuration order of operations -- it's possible to do it wrong and I don't know how that affects the chip. Issues and pull requests welcome!

I haven't been making all the much progress on this because I've been concentrating on the Arachnio.

However, I've decided I'm going to strip down even more on the development hardware to get the software up to the demo stage. Here's what the new stack is going to look like, since I largely have the pieces:

1 x Arduino Due

1 x Arduino Mega Protoshield (for mounting stuff)

1 x MAX11300 dev board

1 x CC3000 shield

1 x Memoire shield

I think I have all the parts in hand, except an extra Protoshield. All I definitely have to write is a driver for the MAX11300 and the glue code to talk to the host. Then I have to work on the host stuff.

I've also been working on another project, the Arachnio. It's the first Arduino Micro variant with on-board WiFi via the ESP8266. You should check it out, support it on Kickstarter, and tell all your friends.

I'm still working on the Multispork, but it's a more complex and therefore longer term project, so it will be a little longer before it's ready for public demonstration. In the meantime, the profits from the Arachnio will help fund it.

I moped about not making the cut for the Hackaday Prize for a couple of weeks, then had an extremely busy October, so no progress to report on that front.

The key chips for the project aren't currently available from the usual suspects. However, eval kits for the CC3100 and the MAX11300 are available from Digikey et al and Olimex makes a nice one for the SAM3S with lots of prototyping room.

I've ordered two of each, and I'm going to build a breadboard Multispork out of them so I can get cracking on firmware development and check out what I'll need to add some SRAM.

I just had a chat with a friend who has some more experience with dealing with SD cards. He told me some unpleasant things about the potential write delays. It looks like I am going to need considerably more RAM as a result. Luckily the chip has a built-in memory controller with an SRAM mode that can deal with an 8 bit wide memory. I may have to switch to a different version of the uC to get enough pins, but that's not too bad. The physical size of the readily available non-BGA SRAMs is annoying, however.

The PCBs just got here today. Too bad I already shot the video -- otherwise, I'd shoot it with them. They're a bit oversized, but having them in hand gives me a much better idea of how I will shrink them to fit. I've uploaded the picture of them sitting on my dining room table.

For the sake of completeness, here are links to the essential elements of this entry:

video: 

system description: https://github.com/logos-electromechanical/MultiSpork/blob/master/MultiSpork/documentation/MultiSporkSystemDescription.md

Video uploaded! I think that plus the license I just uploaded (Apache, if you care) makes one complete entry. 

Choong Ng joined the project this past weekend to write the app side of the project. I'm rubbish at apps, so bringing him in is key to making this project a success. We shot video yesterday and I'll be editing it tonight so we can hit the quarterfinals deadline. 

OSH Park emailed me yesterday telling me that the boards are in; I am looking forward to having them in hand. Now time to order the parts and see if I can get some samples out of Maxim. If I can't get samples, this is going to be a very short trip. 

I started up a project on Balsamiq for doing app wireframes. See the link on the project page if you are curious. Anyone can see it or comment. This goes along with my recent progress on the system description document.

I'm also working on a physical model of what the MultiSpork will ultimately look like. It's pure cosmetic mockup, since I don't have the boards, but should make a nice demo piece for my video. 

My most important task for this week is to put together the quarterfinals video, since it's due on Wed.