Yes, it is an AVR Mega8 processor in the MLF package. The main problem right now is the Sony head unit I have was suppossed to be XMdirect compatible according to the list I had but I've since found out its not. So I have no way at the moment to manipulate a head unit to see what comes out. I have a PCR and I can tell you that there is no CPU between the input of the "can" and the PC. Only an FTDI USB to serial chip. The Mega8 in the XMdirect and the Mega32 in the "smart adapter" I have for the Sony head units are talking between each other to convert the head units protocol to what the XM direct is designed to speak. Then the the Mega8 inside the XMdirect talks to the "can".
Hope this clarifies.
Quote: Originally Posted by Bryan Pape
You mentioned that this is an Atmel. Is it an AVR? If so, what kind of package. (I'll have to look at the XMPCR to see what it's using) Perhaps it's possible to reprogram with JTAG (from a parallel port). Additionally, it seems to me that figuring out the "proprietary protocol" used between the headunit and the XM Direct should actually be rather straight forward - i.e. If you press a button, what does it spit out. The nice thing is that the 8-pin din is already RS-232 instead of TTL. I would think that creating an interface in software should actually be rather easym.
