Dear list,
we have received and tested the next handful of navigation boards.
They are available through:
http://www.handheld-linux.com/wiki.php?page=Navigation%20Board
For installation, please refer to
http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Freerunner_Navigation_Board_v2#Installation
and
http://chonyota.net/freerunner/FRNBv2/FRNBv2-Installation.pdf
Nikolaus
Am 12.09.2010 um 20:24 schrieb Christoph Mair:
> Dear list,
>
> after lots of hard work I'm happy to announce that the Freerunner Navigation
> Board v2 is finally available! The team from handheld-linux.com [1] kindly
> offered to handle orders and shipping.
>
> The second version of the Navigation Board includes some features which go
> well beyond of what is needed for navigational purposes. The board comes in
> two assembly variants "standard" and "complete". See below for a feature
> description/comparison. The most recent documentation as well as possible
> use cases and bug descriptions can always be found on the wiki page [2].
>
> Features supported by any board:
> * 3D magnetometer
> The magnetometer measures magnetic forces on three axes. With some
> math it can be used as a compass. Alternatively, use it to measure the
> magnetic fields generated by trains while accelerating
> (e.g. underground lines).
>
> * 3D gyroscope
> A gyroscope measures angular velocity. It can determine how fast you
> spin your Freerunner around its three axes. Usable to support the
> integrated accelerometers for inertial navigation (navigation without GPS)
> or to create a wireless game controller (like the wii).
>
> * Barometric pressure sensor
> The change in ambient air pressure is a good indicator for changing
> weather conditions. If the weather is relatively stable and the barometric
> pressure changes, it usually indicates that the height above sea level
> changed. If this value is known the absolute height can be calculated
> without using the GPS.
>
> * Four channel LED controller
> This LED controller can dim and make blink up to four LEDs (e.g. RGBA). It
> works autonomously, even if the main CPU is suspended. This may for
> instance be used to indicate unread messages. Large blinking intervals and
> duty cycles enable short flashes to save battery power. Alternatively one
> could connect a high brightness LED and use the Freerunner as a dimmable
> torch.
>
> * Seven channel touch controller
> The chip could actually control twelve channels, but due to space
> restrictions only seven are available on the FRNBv2. They can be used to
> add touch buttons to your Freerunner or act as proximity detector.
> E.g.: disable the screen lock if you pick up the phone. (*) Four channels
> can also drive LEDs, if you don't need them for something else.
>
> Additional features of the "complete" boards:
> * 12-Bit analog to digital converter
> This chip is very similar to the one used on the Freerunner Navigation
> Board v1 to digitize the output of the gyroscopes. The FRNBv2 does not
> use it for own purposes, it's completely under users' control. A possible
> use cases would be an ambient light sensor. Or use it to measure the
> current consumption of the FRNBv2 ;-)
>
> * Programmable oscillator
> Do you need to generate a rectangular signal with programmable frequency
> between 1kHz and 68MHz? Then this chip is made for you. What can you use
> it for? I thought about a 38kHz oscillator which can be enabled and
> disabled using a GPIO pin. This could be used as generic infrared remote
> control.
>
> If you really need these two last features, order a "complete" board or add
> the chips yourself to any "standard" board. They come in leaded packages and
> are hand solderable if you have some soldering experience.
>
> (*) This feature was not tested yet due to a missing kernel driver. I'm not
> sure if it will work as expected.
> (**) The programmable oscillator does not work due to a strange bug. See the
> wiki [2] for details.
>
> Have fun!
>
> Christoph
>
> [1] http://www.handheld-linux.com/wiki.php?page=Navigation%20Board
> [2] http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Freerunner_Navigation_Board_v2
>
> _______________________________________________
> Openmoko community mailing list
> community@lists.openmoko.org
> http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
_______________________________________________
Openmoko community mailing list
community@lists.openmoko.org
http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
