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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Microbridge data logger (was: Kites)
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| jsand Newbie  Joined: 02/07/2014 Location: South AfricaPosts: 15 |
Hello TBS and droceretik, All this kite stuff is fascinating, but has there been much in the way of answers for his data-logging? I've dredged thru all the MMite documentation and TBS threads and have had some leads but so far this is the closest user-case I can find. I've built a couple of MMite devices -successfully- so have basic experience to go further. I reckon it's a dead-ringer for this job. My current project:- 1. It's a measurement and control box for a laboratory materials QC machine. 2. Users will be carrying out a number of different programmed tests on materials on a daily basis. The machine must read e.g. a load cell, and provide closed-loop control to a mechanism which applies a loading profile to a sample. 3. The controller must also log the load, timestamp on a 1sec tick, displacement data & retain this along with boring things like sample ID, lab location etc., etc. Some manipulation of the test data must be done in the controller for presentation at End-of-Test (EoT), on the front panel. QC pass/fail deductions and so on. 4. I've selected a MMite II with the MX170 PIC, an ILI9341 LCD with TScreen (2.8"). the ADC etc., isn't relevant to this discussion but is I2C readable. 5. I'm very familiar with I2C so have designed most of the gadget around it. 6. I fancy using the 16F1455 Microbridge a la backpack too. This will allow field re-programming via a PC > USB port and MMEdit. 7. Already I have my mits on _all_ the components but still can't firm up one last need. That's to data-log all the test data in such a way that the user can unplug the logger physically, carry/drive with it to a PC and read the lot into an Excel or an OpenSource spreadsheet. Seeing that there's already a microbridge USB <> serial device on board how can I go about utilising it to load a file on demand into e.g. a USB stick? I envisage that the machine will have enough EEPROM memory on-board to retain _all_ the machine's data from birth-to-death and that this would be uploaded to the USB stick as one big file at each request. Anyway this is not a firm necessity. Any ideas or pointers anyone? I hate reinventing wheels.... rgds, John |
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| jsand Newbie Joined: 02/07/2014 Location: South AfricaPosts: 15 |
From me again, The alternatives as I see it: 1. SD card, from SPI port 'perhaps' the one on the ILI9341. 2. Openlog. This means more h/w and learning curve. I'd like to be as minimalist as I can so I want to use the Microbridge if I can. It's not a one-off job and I intend this to be a commercial product. Rgds, John |
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panky Guru  Joined: 02/10/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1116 |
John, As far as I am aware, the Microbridge is purely a character oriented serial (from the MM console to USB to connect to a PC or sorts. It is also used a a device to program the MM but there is no option to use it as a USB host to connect a memory stick. I think you best option as you suggested is to use an SD card on the LCD but you might consider moving the the Silicon Chip Backpack 2 board as this has a 470 chip which will give you native file support and greatly enhanced graphics for your display. Sadly, no Microbridge on board but if this is important, have a look a Circuit Gizmos 470 board - really neat package. panky. ... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it! |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3470 |
You speak of physically moving the SDcard, but what about MMBasic on a pi (e.g., Zero W) or device with internet access (H7 with ESP-01) if your device is within wifi range? On the pi, you could just continually write to a file and use WGET to download it when you wished wget for Windows (Note that with the pi, you'd want it connected to a ups like this to prevent damage to the SD with power-loss shutdown.) With the H7+ESP-01 or similar, you'd need to be able to send the file on command. (By the way, what is "this kite stuff"?) PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed |
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| jsand Newbie Joined: 02/07/2014 Location: South AfricaPosts: 15 |
Hello Panky, Hello Lizby, Thanks for this, if the Microbridge is a no-go then I'll go the SD route. It might be by separate SPI<> SD card or mebbe the one on the LCD. I fancy going straight to wifi<>internet for logging but, but, we're in Africa here and I need a lower-common-denominator solution. Folks can deal with memory sticks, Excel, spreadsheets and the like. I've used the Pi too, nice, but it's a bit 'proprietory' for me. The MMite fills my slot in a way that I feel I have full control over the final product and that after all efforts I won't be held ransom by 'obsolescence', 'upgrades' and other chiseling. The 'kites' reference comes from droceretik, he's been lofting them over Australia. With a lot of MMites too, lookitup. Ta for now, rgd, John |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
Good morning John et al Many years ago I needed to log data out in the paddock. The system used a 16F84. So I stuffed a plastic box with enough I2C PROM chips and a RTC and connected it with a D type. I then had to make an interface box for the PC and write a visual basic program. That was the hard bit. This method meant I didn't have to muck around with fiddly connectors inside the unit. But that was a long time ago. Good luck. Peter |
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