Nilok Qube - NEW USB I/O Board

colin · 08-12-2009, 06:56 PM

October 23, 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The project is going to be called the Nilok Qube. It can still be changed but I sort of like it. Today (and yesterday, and the day before) I have been working on the bootloader for this. The bootloader is what allows you to update new code without a programmer. I used one by the company Diolan. It sucks. It was poorly written and there is little to no documentation. Luckily, I figured it all out (after learning ASM and extended op codes) and got it working. I officially ran my first USB demo today.

I am adding a new post to the BLOG right now regarding the process, and within a week there will be a tutorial about how to use the Diolan bootloader at my website www.nilok.ca under products.

Hope I helped some people out!
================================================== =====

Here's my idea. I am in the process of designing a circuit board for automotive control. A typical IO board but with a couple extra features and a slick form factor!

It will measure about 3" by 3" by 1/2". It will be a small black square created from aluminum or ABS plastic. It will strongly resemble the sleek look of the Saleae Logic as seen here:

On one side, there will be a simple USB connection, 2 LEDs and a power connector.
On each of the other three sides, there will be 4 small 4-pin molex connectors.

Each one of those 4-pin connectors will have a power pin, a ground pin, and 2 IO pins. In the near future, sensor boards and relay boards will be available for sale. This system keeps the cost lower, and the function high!

The following features will be available for this device:

- 14 High Power outputs. These are powered off a separate driver chip and are capable of up to 500mA each. You can use these for normal outputs too, but they are most suitable for driving relays or solenoids or other large loads.
- 10 Input/Output/Analog pins. These can be switched through software to be a digital input, an analog input, or a digital output with low current. These would be ideal to measure your sensors or drive LEDs.
- Hardware reset. This is useful if your computer crashes and you want to reset the USB device.
- USB 2.0. The whole thing will run off simple USB commands and is very fast.
- All port PWM. Any of the 24 ports can be configured to run in pulse width moderation mode. This is useful for controlling servos or LED brightness.
- Special function inputs. There are several special functions hard-coded into the device. You chose an input pin and it's function through software, and it can perform differently. For example, there is functionality for latching I/O, toggling outputs based on inputs, rotary encoders, LCDs, IR decoder, etc. You can theoretically use this device to connect and LCD and a volume knob to your computer while still maintaining your high powered outputs or your analog inputs!
- USB Bootloader. Upgrade the firmware via USB! Configure new special functions and updates as they become available.
- EEPROM Storage. You can store and read values from the device's internal EEPROM memory simply and quickly. Since the device only uses a fraction to store information, you are free to read and write the rest!
- Save State. The device can save the state of each input/output/analog set up so that next time it receives power it will keep the same configuration.
- Auto Update. Configure a port to auto-update and every time that port changes, a report will be sent to the computer. This way your software interface is not overwhelmed with updates every 10ms like many other controllers! If nothing changes, no report is generated and your computer can run quicker and smoother without processing the extras.
- Interrupts. Get notified the instant one of your inputs changes instead of polling!
- Serial Interface. There will be an expansion interface using the onboard serial transceiver. With this interface, someone can create an addon board that receives all the messages that the device receives through USB, and it can transmit them to the device for a sort of remote control. The possibilities are endless with this! You can make it wireless, you can add expansion ports, anything you want!

The price for this unit is currently unknown. Since I am running this as low cost as possible, the first prototypes should be available for as little as about $50. Keep in mind, this is just a guess and would not include the enclosure as they have yet to be made.

Would you be interested in purchasing such a device?

Do you have any new suggestions or requests for a device like this?

Please let me know!

malcom2073 · 08-12-2009, 07:16 PM

A couple questions:
What micro are you using for this?
This will run without a computer attached I assume?
Is this a bulk transfer USB device, or virtual COM port device?
Either way, if you need any help developing software for it I can help, I'd certainly be interested in something like this.

sergatiuk · 08-12-2009, 07:28 PM

u forgot "i dont wear underwear" option in your poll (o;'
the device seems like it would be usable... even though similar ones exist, competition is always good... in a competative market, there is always one sure winner and that is the end user (;

colin · 08-12-2009, 07:38 PM

Updated: Forgot to mention IR decoding, Interrupts and Serial Interface.

Quote: Originally Posted by malcom2073

A couple questions:
What micro are you using for this?
This will run without a computer attached I assume?
Is this a bulk transfer USB device, or virtual COM port device?
Either way, if you need any help developing software for it I can help, I'd certainly be interested in something like this.

This will be run off a microchip PIC 1484455 processor.
It will run without a computer to an extent. The special functions (latching, input based on output, debounce) will all work as will the PWM. The analogs won't, the outputs will retain their states but won't toggle (unless attached to an input function). Anything that needs USB to communicate won't work.

However, it can still be run from the serial interface with an addon board.

PM me about the software, what you can help with. I'm always looking for some extra help on hardware, software and firmware.

colin · 08-13-2009, 05:16 PM

Bump.

Please try to explain why you chose what you did. Except 2k1toaster and h3rk, I don't want to know what you guys are thinking!

I got an update today, the enclosures themselves can be made from aluminum for about $15.00 each or from black plastic for about $12.50 each. Add shipping to that and add anodizing for the aluminum. Then add custom stickers and 4 screws and we're looking at a total of about $21.00 each aluminum, $16.00 each plastic.

I think that's great for a small run of 10!

The circuit boards should be about $25.00 to $30.00 each since I'll be hand populating them. So far so good!

2k1Toaster · 08-13-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

Please try to explain why you chose what you did. Except 2k1toaster and h3rk, I don't want to know what you guys are thinking!

Definitely not...

malcom2073 · 08-13-2009, 05:24 PM

Heh

TruckinMP3 · 08-13-2009, 05:33 PM

I would not be interested as it does things I do not need.

colin · 08-14-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

I would not be interested as it does things I do not need.

Care to elaborate? Do you mean there are features you would not use or you just don't need the product at all?

TruckinMP3 · 08-14-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

Care to elaborate? Do you mean there are features you would not use or you just don't need the product at all?

Turning this around, what would I do with it?

malcom2073 · 08-14-2009, 08:28 AM

It's a digital I/O board. You could control an automated HVAC system with it, put your windows up and down via remote, have it control lighting or special effects, monitor voltage, monitor sensors or temperature, the possibilities are near endless.

colin · 08-14-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

Turning this around, what would I do with it?

Quote:

It's a digital I/O board. You could control an automated HVAC system with it, put your windows up and down via remote, have it control lighting or special effects, monitor voltage, monitor sensors or temperature, the possibilities are near endless.

Exactly what he said. Here's what I'll be doing with mine:

Beside my screen I want a rotary encoder that is backlit and 5 backlit buttons. I bought a clear frame for the encoder and 5 clear light pipe buttons. The high-power PWM output will dim the blue LEDs at night and make them bright during the day. The normal I/O/A will be connected to the buttons and also to the LEDs so that they can be switched by ANOTHER PWM that will cause them to visibly blink if something exciting happens, such as a new notification.

Under that, there will be an IR detector so that I can use my Lilliput remote (with the number keys) to control my radio station and my songs. Even the punks in the back seat can have a go at it.

You can also use it when the computer messes up or when it's not even on. If you have it preconfigured, you can press a button to latch your outputs -- useful for HVAC when you have to hold something down, or window defrosts where a simple momentary switch would not work.

The analog inputs will be set to read the temperatures of the front cabin area, the back cabin area, and the outside. Based on these temperatures, the HVAC will automatically adjust to a set temperature.

Because of the serial interface, I can control two of these boards with only one USB slot.

Theres about a thousand things I forgot to mention.

colin · 08-21-2009, 01:38 PM

Bump.

I'm still going ahead on this project. I submitted my enclosure design for some samples. I'm getting one free piece out of ABS and one piece out of aluminum. They will run from $12.50 to $18.00 depending on the type.
If these enclosures come back fine on the first try (which they wont, I'm sure), then I'll be ready to have the PCBs produced. I've written about 25% of the firmware already, and I have to completely re-design the PCB but I'll do that starting right now.

I'm keeping a blog of all this stuff here:
http://nilokproductions.wordpress.com/

It has a picture of the enclosure and design specs so far.

I've started to order some parts, just a few, for a small initial run. These will be ready probably by the end of October assuming school goes okay.

Keep voting!

TruckinMP3 · 08-21-2009, 03:28 PM

Enjoy the project and good luck... I like the controls I currently have (stock) for wipers, windows, locks and such... thus my earlier comments.

colin · 08-27-2009, 12:16 PM

I've re-designed the PCB as promised to fit the enclosure. I also received pictures of the aluminum enclosure yesterday.

Once I get the actual pieces shipped to me, I will test out the shape of the PCB to make sure it fits. If all the components work okay together then I can start producing the PCBs and get this on the road.

My first run will be of 20 complete products.

Pictures and more information are at the blog:
http://nilokproductions.wordpress.com/

User Name		Remember Me?
Password