does the fusion brain work as a standalone device?

inline4 · 03-30-2009, 11:53 AM

or does it need to be hooked up to a computer when running?

greenman100 · 03-30-2009, 01:02 PM

needs to be connected to a computer.

or, you can re-write the firmware.

64Chevelle · 05-22-2009, 02:38 AM

That's exactly what I'm looking for too (a standalone FB). That would've been awesome. Could the FB creator please comment on this? I guess it would need some kind of a flash memory on board + perhaps a cpu?

2k1Toaster · 05-22-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 64Chevelle

That's exactly what I'm looking for too (a standalone FB). That would've been awesome. Could the FB creator please comment on this? I guess it would need some kind of a flash memory on board + perhaps a cpu?

greenman100 and I are the creators.

It can be done, but think about this... How many different ways would people want standalone firmware to be written? It is not feasible. You can rewrite your own firmware if you want, but it is going to be a pain in the butt.

The main chip contains a CPU and memory, nothing additional is needed other than a crapton of firmware programming and in the end it would be so personalized it would be pretty much worthless to anyone but yourself.

So possible, yes. Feasible for us to do on a large scale, not at this time.

64Chevelle · 05-22-2009, 04:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

greenman100 and I are the creators.

It can be done, but think about this... How many different ways would people want standalone firmware to be written? It is not feasible. You can rewrite your own firmware if you want, but it is going to be a pain in the butt.

The main chip contains a CPU and memory, nothing additional is needed other than a crapton of firmware programming and in the end it would be so personalized it would be pretty much worthless to anyone but yourself.

So possible, yes. Feasible for us to do on a large scale, not at this time.

If I understand you correctly there is no logic processing in the FB cpu/firmware itself. It relies on a running program on the connected computer to tell it what outputs to open based on values from the inputs. The program on the computer computes the outputs based on logic stored in an xml config file.

Couldn't the logic configuration be stored in the FB memory and the FB firmware handle processing of the logic?

Or have I totally misunderstood how the FB works? I haven't been able to find that information in the documentation.

Iamthehor · 05-22-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 64Chevelle

If I understand you correctly there is no logic processing in the FB cpu/firmware itself. It relies on a running program on the connected computer to tell it what outputs to open based on values from the inputs. The program on the computer computes the outputs based on logic stored in an xml config file.

Couldn't the logic configuration be stored in the FB memory and the FB firmware handle processing of the logic?

Or have I totally misunderstood how the FB works? I haven't been able to find that information in the documentation.

The hardware on the FB CAN do what you are asking, but the software would need to be customized on the chip for all the logic (I'm not sure you'd have enough space/power to make it update-able in real-time or by the PC, I kinda doubt it). It would basically become it's own little computer (it already is, but then it would think as well).
Like they said, you can have it their way OR you can develop a solution yourself (and the hardware is available if you want to take that challenge). their way is more customizable, but requires a PC. I wouldn't dream of taking orders to customize the logic to CarPC'ers specs. that would be a nightmare

greenman100 · 05-22-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 64Chevelle

If I understand you correctly there is no logic processing in the FB cpu/firmware itself. It relies on a running program on the connected computer to tell it what outputs to open based on values from the inputs. The program on the computer computes the outputs based on logic stored in an xml config file.

Couldn't the logic configuration be stored in the FB memory and the FB firmware handle processing of the logic?

Or have I totally misunderstood how the FB works? I haven't been able to find that information in the documentation.

You're correct.

The problem is converting the logic blocks you see in the configurator to code the FB can use. It can't really be automated - we'd have to write code for every standalone FB, and if someone wanted a change, write new code.

digital79 · 05-22-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 64Chevelle

That's exactly what I'm looking for too (a standalone FB).

You may want to check out Arduino

Redian · 05-22-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by digital79

You may want to check out Arduino

arduinos would probably be a better choice in this case seeing how it was made to be a stand alone device.

the fusion brain was made to be controlled by a PC, and thus.. makes it harder to do the things you want without a pc

although, you will still need to code quite a bit.

malcom2073 · 05-22-2009, 03:56 PM

I've used the arduinos both at work and for personal use, and I have to say they're fairly awesome. You can even get a "shield prototype" which will allow you to add things like the darlington driver arrays that the fusion brain V3 uses for digital outputs right ontop of the board.

2k1Toaster · 05-22-2009, 04:02 PM

Exactly. Anything is possible with the right hardware, the right $$$, and the right firmware.

64Chevelle · 05-26-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Redian

arduinos would probably be a better choice in this case seeing how it was made to be a stand alone device.

the fusion brain was made to be controlled by a PC, and thus.. makes it harder to do the things you want without a pc

although, you will still need to code quite a bit.

I code for a living so I'm not afraid of that part

But I'm not an electonics engineer so I need the best hardware for the job. The Arduinos looks interesting.

To make something similar to the OBR PowerControlModule would be awesome, although having separate fuses/relays would make it a lot simpler to create of course.