HU Quality AM/FM RDS/RBDS Radio with Features

**Seth** · 02-10-2005, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by rando

Sheesh, I guess even the FAQ can't save us!

At least we tried....

**Seth** · 02-10-2005, 08:46 AM

PROJECT STATUS REPORT:

1) Electrical testing of the device / power up - down cycles and other hardware testing. Step status : COMPLETE

2) Write I2C control code and routines in order to bi-directionally communicate with the device. Step status : COMPLETE

3) Write USB interface firmware for the 18F series PIC. Step status : 50% DONE

4) Write higher level code (radio frontend and control libraries). Step status : 0% DONE

5) EMI testing per FCC B part 15 in qualified lab. Step status : 50% DONE

6) Reception testing. Step status : 40% DONE

FM reception test results : Good static reception without proper antenna. Moving vehicle tests pending (with car antenna).
AM reception test results : N/A
RDS/RBDS demodulation test results : N/A
Audio I/O switching capability test results : OK
I2C AUX port communication test results : N/A
USB interface tests : N/A

Just to clear things up we cannot provide a firm release date. It will be released when all the above tests are finished sucessfully.

**Marsupial** · 02-10-2005, 09:05 AM

How will the USB detection will be?

will it need custom drivers or be 100% XP compatible plug-n-play?

hust being curious, really.

**Seth** · 02-10-2005, 09:32 AM

EDIT: Ooops...double post. Please ignore...

**vcostainternet** · 02-10-2005, 10:36 AM

Hi guys
Usualy I lurk arroud here hoping to find a good radio solution to the car pc.
Unfortunently the only help I can offer is to buy you a kit (when ready), since my know how in electronics is praticaly null.

whatching update 2/05/2005 I almost cry... :-)

so this is just a thumbs up to you guys.
wich I could be helfull in some sort.

**rando** · 02-10-2005, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Marsupial

How will the USB detection will be?

will it need custom drivers or be 100% XP compatible plug-n-play?

hust being curious, really.

Using one of the provided XP USB device drivers is preferred because it would eliminate the need to developa custom driver. Since we haven't even looked at the firmware yet, it's too soon to say if we can make that work or not.

**rando** · 02-10-2005, 01:01 PM

2) Write I2C control code and routines in order to bi-directionally communicate with the device. Step status : 50% DONE

The I2C bits are done. The specific commands to control/read the radio are not. This could be 100% if you or racemier would give me an idea of what you need it to -- to support testing. Let's discuss.

3) Write USB interface firmware for the 18F series PIC. Step status : 0% DONE

I built a home-made ICD2 clone and was finally able to flash an 18F2550 yesterday. It's compatible with the 2455 we're using. I looked quickly but didn't find any example USB code/circuits for this chip on the Microchip site. With a little help I should be able to get a basic USB/I2C bridge type solution working.

**TheLlama** · 02-10-2005, 01:26 PM

What chip does the module use? My mp3car is Linux based. I don't mind to write a device driver, but it would help to know which chipset it is based off of (I might even be able to work on it in the mean time). I just realized that I would actually be interfacing with the 18F chip.. no? Regardless, as soon as you know how to interface the display, please PM me so I can get to work on a Linux version.

Thanks

**rando** · 02-10-2005, 01:50 PM

The interface will be via the 18F2455. You can't write a driver until the firmware implemented interface is specified. Given the way things are going, the specification will probably come after the implementation.

**Zac** · 02-10-2005, 05:44 PM

Rando: Where can I find some info about this ICD2 clone? I've heard microchip gave out the schem/board layout or something awhile back but never looked into it......might have to tho....The programmer I just bought doesn't do the new 18Fxxxx USB chips yet which really sucks.