Do you think you can handle a project like this? If so, please
contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The scope of the entire project is to create an instrument that counts
radiation from a small sample in a tray, using a detector that is sensitive
to multiple types of radiation, and presents this information to the user
in a simple, easy to read format.
The instrument consists of a radiation detector, a housing, a sliding tray
mechanism to position the sample under the detector, a set of detector
support electronics, and the Palm Pilot.
We have an existing design for the smart detector support electronics
(which we call an MDB for Modular Detector Board) which has an Intel 8051
uprocessor on it, provides the high voltage required to operate the
detector, provides the amplifier and sensing circuitry for handling the
detector signal, has a limited size (1-2 kbytes) of EEPROM for non-volatile
information storage, and a serial port which can communicate at speeds up
to 38.4 kbaud. There is a communication protocol already defined which
specified the type and format of information that can be sent to and from
the MDB.
We have focused on the Palm Pilot as the human interface for the following
reasons:
1. Limited cost compared to a PC or a Windows CE device
2. Small size
3. Relatively high computing power capability
4. Standardized graphical interface
5. Relatively stable operating system
6. High level of general acceptance of Palm Pilot type devices
7. Advancing our technology level above our competitors
8. Expected long term availability of the Palm Pilot in one form or
another
Normally, for a project like this, we would design our own hardware from
scratch, write a custom program for it to drive the display, keypad, lights
etc. This is a time consuming effort and drives up both the development
and production cost.
What we are looking for is someone with significant Palm Pilot software
development experience to write a human interface for this instrument that
allows the user to operate the instrument by translating the user commands
into the appropriate serial message and sending it to our MDB, then
retrieving the appropriate information and displaying it back to the user.
We will not need any hardware design services or programming efforts for
anything but the Palm Pilot. We will create a specification that defines
the user interface information required for each operation or mode. The
communication specification for the interface between the Palm Pilot and
the MDB is already defined, although we can change or add message formats
if necessary. All communication will be RS-232 based from the Palm Pilot's
hardware connection, but we are still investigating the most suitable
method for performing file transfers from the Palm Pilot to a PC. The
possibilities are:
1. Use another Palm Pilot to collect information via the infra-red port
2. Buy third-party infra-red connections which connect directly to a PC
3. Create an RS-232 switch (smart or manual) that can switch the Palm
Pilot's hardware connection from the MDB to the PC, and collect the
information at the PC via the Palm Pilot hardware connection.
The Palm Pilot software will have to support this data or file transfer
from the Palm Pilot to the PC, as well as communications to the MDB.
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________________________________________________________________
Donovan Rittenbach, M.A.
ph: 415-331-9110 ext. 402
fx: 415-893-1128
icq: 36547420
Neko Media is a premiere provider of web based applications
designed to make your website an integral part of the way
your company does business.
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