Custom USB Parking Sensor interface (formally PDC-USB)

**Blues** · 12-02-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by skuller

with those, you won't be able know where's the obstacle right?
left right center?

No you won't be able to tell where it is.
But not that imporatant is it? A hit is a hit no matter where it is. The main purpose of a distance detector is to make you stop before you hit anything, no matter if it's left, right or center.

An advantage of this system compared to ultrasonic sensors (besides no drilling in the bumper) is that ultrasonic sensors doesn't work below 30 cm, while this apprently can go much lower. + There's no blind spots between sensors.

**smhussain** · 12-04-2008, 04:26 AM

Any chance this might be available for sale??

**_Dejan_** · 12-04-2008, 03:12 PM

You can get it from me

More details about boards you can find on my page LINK

**Blues** · 12-04-2008, 05:22 PM

Looks like this parking sensor use the 315 MHz band, isn't that illegal in Europe?

**_Dejan_** · 12-04-2008, 05:36 PM

Cisbo 323/4 use HF Frequency: 315MHz / 433MHz

**Blues** · 12-05-2008, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by _Dejan_

Cisbo 323/4 use HF Frequency: 315MHz / 433MHz

Thanks, I found Cisbo's website: http://szcisbo.com or http://topsbc.com

Cisbo 323-4: http://szcisbo.com/english/product_ps323-4.htm

Is the frequncy user settable or does the frenquency depend on where in the world the product is purchased?

**_Dejan_** · 12-05-2008, 02:10 AM

I think is fixed and depend where you buy it, because Im not see any switch or something to change frequency......

**novorado** · 12-16-2008, 01:24 PM

We have developed a library and an API to access parktronic from C++ application.
Obviously, implementing Perl/Tcl/Python/Visual Basic interfaces is kinda trivial by means of SWIG.
So here is the open API. It will work with Robby's BMW device only if you change the firmware.
New version of firmware is updateable over the USB (Microchip HID bootloader mechanism).
We gonna provide Linux and M$ .NET C++ application (not a big deal to convert to C# or Visual Basic, code will be published).

It's amazing how much appreciatio and new ideas triggered by Robby's initial research. Mega-respect. Hope he is having great time at the place where he is right now.

**boelle** · 12-16-2008, 01:30 PM

would still be nice with a "kit" and instructions on how to mod things

**novorado** · 12-16-2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by boelle

would still be nice with a "kit" and instructions on how to mod things

We can provide a complete installation-ready kit with the parktronic solution, which includes:
Item 1. Robby BMW's board
Item 2. Parktronic with 4 heads and embedded data probe (silver or black transponders on your choice). It is suggested to buy from local supplier if you want to save on shipping. Software is available for download from our site (will post links later).
Item 3. Only a PIC controller that can be soldered or placed instead of original.
Reason for this, original firmware does not have USB update capabilities.
Parktronic protocol is _automatically_ detected. You just need to solder in into your parktronic with proper polarity (i.e. Ground/Signal).

1-3 is on your choice. You may elect to only get #3, it may get you up and running.

Just to remind, Robby's device is matchbox-size, takes $15-$40 to ship worldwide.
18F2550/18F4550 mutually exchangable microcontroller is less than it, can
be shipped in a letter box.
http://novorado.com/index.php?option...d=37&Itemid=58

In the lib, there is undocumented capability to read parktronic data from the LPT port directly by means of libieee1284.so.3
It skips, and eats up CPU quite alright. So it means you can plug parktronic directly into the LPT port, for free.