tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56907410932609275992024-03-19T04:47:45.152-04:00The Great GeekeryScott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-7076973955620722522020-06-06T22:13:00.003-04:002020-06-06T22:13:47.739-04:00Wireless VT320 Terminal<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/a7cng4H"><a href="//imgur.com/a/a7cng4H">Wireless VT320</a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-31610064234966945022016-05-09T19:56:00.003-04:002016-05-09T19:56:30.855-04:00High Voltage Lego Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-18054977146311822862016-02-05T07:04:00.000-05:002017-01-28T07:38:29.046-05:00EcoPlug Wifi Switch Hacking<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I opened up an ecoplug module bought from Home Depot. They are currently on clearance for $15 Canadian each (about $12 US).<br />
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The switches can only be controlled via the app (which is pretty crap) but I have captured and dissected the communication and discovered it is essentially just a UDP packet controlling the switch state. I was considering writing an openHab binding for it; but decided to open up the switch instead.<br />
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Home depot product page: <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grounded-Indoor-Wi-Fi-Adapter-2-Pack-CT-065W/206177754;jsessionid=31776537145CBE2EDAF2A319018BFF47%C2%A0">http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grounded-Indoor-Wi-Fi-Adapter-2-Pack-CT-065W/206177754;jsessionid=31776537145CBE2EDAF2A319018BFF47 </a><br />
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They are also sold under the name Wood WiOn: <a href="http://amzn.to/1R9e9Xx">http://amzn.to/1R9e9Xx</a><br />
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Here is the new firmware I wrote for it:<br />
<a href="https://github.com/scottjgibson/esp8266Switch" style="color: #0079d3; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">https://github.com/scottjgibson/esp8266Switch</a><br />
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<b>Update: </b> If you want to try this yourself; John has written an <a href="http://www.hagensieker.com/blog/page/?post_id=44&title=esp8266-hack-of-inexpensive-wifi-outlet" target="_blank">excellent write up</a> filling in many of the steps omitted below; definitely worth a look.<br />
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Here is my teardown and programming video:<br />
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Pinout Diagram:<br />
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I confirmed the unpopulated 8 pin part was for an external adc; based on the wiring it looks like the optional power meter monitors voltage; current and power factor of the load. </div>
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Backside of the power board; lots of depopulated parts which would be used for the optional power monitoring. </div>
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Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com94tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-91064674006807811762014-05-13T08:10:00.001-04:002014-05-13T08:11:11.935-04:00New Project: Custom RC car for the kids<h3>
Full write up here: </h3>
<a href="http://www.ultrageekdad.com/2014/05/13/remote-controlled-kids/">http://www.ultrageekdad.com/2014/05/13/remote-controlled-kids/</a><br />
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<h3>
Video here:</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lyqBrTTro0A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-55973382648034508922014-03-26T21:15:00.002-04:002014-03-28T13:33:31.502-04:00Modified Rostock - Get ready to defeat the Cartesian agenda!I've decided to build a 3d printer. I chose the rostock delta printer as my base. I had lots of spare large aluminum extrusion so I'm using it as frame support.<br />
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<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-84311030334510835682013-12-03T08:36:00.000-05:002013-12-03T08:37:27.158-05:00Roomba Bluetooth Interface<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OK7AmFZ6lBY" width="560"></iframe>
After discovering <a href="http://thegreatgeekery.blogspot.com/2011/08/roomba-router-fail.html">issues </a>attempting to power my wireless router off the roomba, I decided to build a simple bluetooth interface similar to the <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/products/684">roototh interface</a> from sparkfun.<br />
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Since I have this weird unmutable DIY motivation; I decided to build my own interface.<br />
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The interface is pretty simple; a standard Bluetooth module; some level conversion and power supply.<br />
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<h3>
Design Goals:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Low Cost</li>
<li>Low Profile (so it doesn't get caught on things) </li>
<li>Configurable Baud Rate (as to work with any roomba)</li>
<li>Configurable Bluetooth name (So it will show up as "Roomba" when scanning)</li>
</ul>
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Parts:</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">QTY Description Manufacturer Part Number<br />
1 Roomba Connector Kycon </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">KMDLAX-7P</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 Bluetooth Module CSR BlueCore4</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 PCB Me Roomba-01</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 3.3V Regulator TI LP2950-33</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 0.1uF Capacitor - -</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1 10uF Pol. Cap. - -</span></div>
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I bought a cheap CSR bluetooth module from dx.com; they're about $7 each including shipping<br />
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For the connector I hacked a 7 pin mini-din I ordered from digikey; it worked pretty well.:<br />
<a href="http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kycon/KMDLAX-7P/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvf6myxbP4FpJJMXqaAFaQmalAlL9lW5a4%3d">7-pin Mini DIN connector $3.04</a><br />
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Interface PCB came in aroudn $1 each (since I ordered 10)<br />
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Details:</h3>
<a href="https://github.com/scottjgibson/rootooth-low-profile">https://github.com/scottjgibson/rootooth-low-profile</a><br />
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Circuit Board:</h3>
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<a href="https://raw.github.com/scottjgibson/rootooth-low-profile/master/roomba%20interface%201.1%20board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://raw.github.com/scottjgibson/rootooth-low-profile/master/roomba%20interface%201.1%20board.png" width="296" /></a></div>
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Schematic:</h3>
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Pictures:</h3>
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<h3>
Encapsulating:</h3>
To finish the devices I encapsulated them in Plasti-Dip; its awesome stuff and provides good protection to the circuitry. </div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-612248696579562542013-10-25T21:01:00.003-04:002013-10-25T21:01:51.726-04:00$12 LED photography lights<h3>
Intro: </h3>
I needed dimmable photography lights for a photo booth project I'm building for a friends wedding. Pre-built lights are quite expensive so I decided to build my own. I based the design on white LED strips which can be purchased quite economically when purchasing directly from Chinese distributors (Like aliexpress.com)<br />
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<h3>
The LEDs:</h3>
I went with the largest and densest LED strips I could find. The LED strips come in 5 meter lengths; I found for $12 (inlcuding shipping) I could get a 5M LED strip with 600 LEDs. The leds are the 5050 size which is the largest commonly available on LED strips. The 5M of LEDs draw 72W.<br />
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Building the Panel:</h3>
I build a quick panel out of some white hardboard and pine trim I had around from home renovation work. I sized the panel to fit 10 50cm lengths of LEDs. This made a nice ~60cm x 20cm panel<br />
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<h3>
Wiring:</h3>
The strip is directly powered off of a 12V source (I used an old ATX computer power supply). Each segment of the strip was wired to a 18 gauge power supply wire. From here it can be connected directly to 12V or via a control circuit as I have done.<br />
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<h3>
Control:</h3>
The photo booth I'm building runs on a raspberry pi embedded computer. Attached to the raspberry pi is a PCA8685 I2C PWM driver. Adafruit sells a nice breakout (<a href="http://www.adafruit.com/products/815">http://www.adafruit.com/products/815</a>) board to make wiring it up easy. This way the photobooth control software can simply set the desired PWM duty cycle and be done with it. The PWM output of the PCA8685 is connected to a mosfet which switches the LEDs on and off at the right duty cycle to set the brightness. <br />
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<h3>
Mosfet Dimmer Board:</h3>
I designed a simple four channel low-side mosfet switch board for connecting the LEDs (and other DC things) which needed control from the raspberry pi. The hardware design is open source and can be found here: <a href="https://github.com/scottjgibson/4ch_mosfet_switch">https://github.com/scottjgibson/4ch_mosfet_switch</a><br />
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<b>Demo Video</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IPxBo4aUO5Q?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
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Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-14798226664705760242013-08-01T12:58:00.001-04:002013-08-01T12:58:23.472-04:00Ultra Geek DadI created a separate blog for the projects I do with the kids. Check it out here: <a href="http://www.ultrageekdad.com/">www.ultrageekdad.com</a>Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-67564109426541709932013-06-26T21:11:00.003-04:002013-07-05T16:00:28.671-04:00CNC Machine ProgressIts been quite a while since I added information about my CNC machine, I've made a few videos describing the machine.<br />
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First run of the CNC Y axis (gantry):</div>
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Here is my first video after getting the three axis together:</div>
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First time running with a router:</div>
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A bit more progress on the machine</div>
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<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-69720414362853361082013-06-24T21:38:00.000-04:002013-06-24T21:38:49.134-04:00Car Battery Recovery (Desulfation)<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?-->
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I had recently replaced a failed car batter in my older BMW (10 years old). The battery was only 5 years old but it had failed none the less. Before replacing the battery it wasn't able to light the dome lights let alone start the car.</div>
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In the interest of "science" :) I decided to try to recover the battery. First I attached it to a typical 12V battery charger. I left it connected for a long time but the battery would not take a charge (the current meter of the charger showed 0 Amps). I plan on using the battery in my camping trailing to operate the lights and charge our cell phones and that sort of thing, so if I can get the battery in some sort of working order it will be useful to me.</div>
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My back of the envelope calculations estimate the average car battery should have an internal resistance in the order of 0.02ohms; my initial measurement (using a 1.3 ohm high power resistor as a test load) showed an internal resistance of over 30 ohms.</div>
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<b>Reasons Car Batteries Fail:</b></div>
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Some online reseach indicated that often the reason for non working lead acid battery is sulfation (lead sulfate crystal build up on the battery plates). It is especially a problem if the battery gets deeply discharged; or isn't brought up to full charge regularly. This was likely the case with my battery. The car wasn't winter driven before I bought it so it is likely it sat discharged. Also I have a very short commute; so in the winter I start the car; run the defrosters, seat heaters and blower motor for a short time (7 minutes to work) then do it again on the way home. </div>
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<b>Battery Desulfators:</b></div>
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There are lots of conflicting reports on battery <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=desufator&linkCode=ur2&tag=thegregee-20" target="_blank">desufators</a>, I figured I would give it a try and puchased a cheap battery desulfator off aliexpress.com; as far as I know most battery desulfators use the same principle; pulse a high voltage high frequency across the battery to dissolve the sufates back into the electrolyte.</div>
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I bought this one (I'm not affiated with the brand or seller)</div>
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<a href="http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Auto-Pulser-Desulfator-for-lead-acid-batteries-battery-regenerator-battery-reviver-battery-rejuverator/608796702.html">http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Auto-Pulser-Desulfator-for-lead-acid-batteries-battery-regenerator-battery-reviver-battery-rejuverator/608796702.html</a></div>
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its a "Clen" brand; pretty much the cheapest available. It makes a fair amount of buzzing I assume from the DC-DC converter inside. The device specifies a pulse frequency of 10kHz with a peak voltage amplitude between 60 and 100V. It works with 12V to 48V batteries so I'm assuming that is the reasoning for a range of peak amplitues.</div>
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<b>Testing Procedure:</b></div>
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I followed the following procedure when checking the progress.</div>
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(1) Disconnect the charger and desuphator</div>
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(2) Attach a 1.3 Ohm resistor to get about a 10 Amp load on the battery.</div>
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(3) Measure the voltage with the load attached (V_load - voltage under load</div>
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(4) Disconnect the load and check the voltage again (V_oc (voltage open circuit)</div>
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(5) Calculate the internal resistance of the battery:</div>
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(i) V_drop = V_oc - V_load</div>
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(ii) I _load = V_load * R_load (1.3)</div>
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(iii) R_battery = V_drop / I_load</div>
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<b>The Results:</b></div>
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I took some initial measurement of the battery after it had been sitting for about a month and things didn't look good:</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">No Load Voltage (<b>V_oc</b>): 6.5V </span><br />
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Voltage with 1.3ohm load (<b>V_load</b>): 240mV</div>
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Current with load attached (<b>I_load</b>): 185mA</div>
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Estimated internal resistance (<b>R_battery</b>): (6.5-.24)/(.185) = 34 ohms</div>
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So the battery wasn't taking a charge (likely due to the high internal resistance). The high internal resistance is a sign of sulfate buildup on the plates which minimize the plates effective area.</div>
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So I hooked up my $25 desulfator (pulse conditioner) and let it run. I did the above measurement criteria quite often (as indicated on the graphs)</div>
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As you can see in the above plot the desulphator worked quite well for my battery. Within 24 hours the batteries internal resistance was within the right order of magnitude (yay)! Within about 4 days the battery was pretty close to as good as it was going to get.</div>
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<b>Testing Retrospective:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>I should have measured the resistance of the load after each measurement; as the resistor heats up the resistance can change significantly.</li>
<li>I should have had a set amount of time of applying the load, as voltages varied depending on how long the load was applied.</li>
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<b>Final Capacity Test:</b></div>
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So it was great to see the battery's interal resistance returned to normal but how about the overall battery capacity? This battery specifications indicate an initial capacity of 80AH; some research showed this is measured by applying a load until the battery voltage reaches 10.5V. There are many unknown variables (temperature; load current, etc); but I figured I would wing it and atleast get an estimate of the battery capacity mostly to get an idea if the battery will be usable to me or not.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
This is a little tricky to do manually; so I decided to use an microcontroller (an Arduino in this case) to take the measurements periodically.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
I just hacked something together quick; it measures the voltage and the current (using a 1 ohm shunt resistor) every 30 seconds and if the voltage falls below 10.5V disconnect the battery (using a relay).</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
I used a load which would give me around a 3A draw (a 4 ohm dummy load used for audio amplifier testing). If the capacity is near 80AH I would expect my test to take at most 26 hours. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
So twice per minute I log the current and voltage; and calculate the energy drawn in the 30 second period (1/120 * A); to calculate the total capacity used I simply summed up all the measurements.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
https://github.com/scottjgibson/CarBatteryTester</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
<b>Capacity Results</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
- In Progress</div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-50053673527930301842013-06-06T13:53:00.001-04:002013-06-06T13:54:12.696-04:00Awesome PixelPi Build<a href="http://www.tested.com/art/makers/455872-maker-project-rgb-led-animated-pixel-box/">http://www.tested.com/art/makers/455872-maker-project-rgb-led-animated-pixel-box/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJK4LlOwVds?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-68675795099746477782012-11-30T22:47:00.000-05:002012-12-01T07:41:21.388-05:00Introducing LightingPi<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q6U2Bi5NK6Q?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
As
a companion to my pixelPi software and I've started work on an output
device which works with OLA (Open Lighting Architecture). This allows
the Raspberry Pi to be use to control; servos; dimmers; relays and
pixels (via pixelPi) all controlled over standardized lighting/prop
control protocols supported by OLA. This would essentially be a
configurable node which drives hardware and can be controlled with
Artnet; E1.31; ESP Net; Pathport; Sandnet; Shownet.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://github.com/LightingPi/lightingPi">https://github.com/LightingPi/lightingPi </a></b><br />
<div>
<h2>
Features:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Control strings of LED pixels with a raspberry Pi</li>
<li>Control strings of analog RGB LED strings (up to 16 channels per PWM board)</li>
<li>Control Incandessent lighting via SSR boards (work in progress)</li>
<li>Control servo position </li>
<li>Control of all fixtures provided over all major lighting protocols Artnet / E1.31/ OSC ...via OLA</li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
Overview:</h2>
</div>
<div>
DMX based protocols are quite flexible. The LightingPi software is a client which allows control of a large variety of light fixtures attached to the Raspberry Pi<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Hardware:</h2>
</div>
<div>
(1) RaspberryPi<br />
(2) PWM Hardware (Needed for Analog RGB Pixels and Servos)<br />
(3) Something to play with (Servo motor; LED strips; LED pixels, SSRs)</div>
<div>
<br />
<h3>
Wiring Diagram:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbZr6kMX5xGsWyerWLPoo6Nuwm7EbVGHaBu0hXZfGo-dUmnj5FFxuaGK3QRbfXf73WhRidULNzlsZM6Z3pun31WcbTXzYa4gyvrNk5ZUrzJbFJ1dNhuBIcmRXDNgFcrk27956WhMTpF4K/s1600/lighting+pi_bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbZr6kMX5xGsWyerWLPoo6Nuwm7EbVGHaBu0hXZfGo-dUmnj5FFxuaGK3QRbfXf73WhRidULNzlsZM6Z3pun31WcbTXzYa4gyvrNk5ZUrzJbFJ1dNhuBIcmRXDNgFcrk27956WhMTpF4K/s400/lighting+pi_bb.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
No rocket science here:<br />
Dimmer and RGB analog control provided by an I2C PWM generator<br />
Led Pixel support provided by SPI bus directly on the raspberry pi</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
RGB
LED strings driven by passing the PWM output to FET drivers (in the
form of "RGB String Amplifiers cheaply available from ebay)<br />
<br />
Servos are directly driven from the PWM IC<br />
<br />
SSRs for dimmers are directly driven from PWM IC<br />
<br />
<h2>
Software:</h2>
<h3>
lightingPi:</h3>
Grab the latest version here:<a href="https://github.com/scottjgibson/lightingPi"> https://github.com/scottjgibson/lightingPi</a><br />
<br />
<h4>
Configuring the peripherals:</h4>
Have a look at config.ini; its pretty self explanitory <br />
<h3>
OLA:</h3>
Install via apt; sudo apt-get install ola<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-43311245702529879032012-11-27T14:51:00.000-05:002012-11-27T14:51:02.112-05:00More PixelPi Eye CandySome more great pixel arrays using pixelPi! <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GhsAn5k4_30" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w2rYcgd5iyU" width="560"></iframe><br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-7118424742481818362012-11-05T20:50:00.000-05:002012-11-22T10:38:35.405-05:00Pixel Box AnimatedAn awesome pixel array running PixelPi!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FdTK9gTvli4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-19231677117407263172012-10-28T11:16:00.001-04:002012-11-22T10:40:08.167-05:00PixelPi UpdateSo lots has been going on with PixelPi since my last update:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Rearchitecture:</b><br />
I've forked (https://github.com/mostley/PixelPi) github fork into the <a href="https://github.com/PixelPi/PixelPi">PixelPi/PixelPi </a>trunk. It significantly changes the architecture of the project. Now there is a simple controller.py file which simply receives pixel data (currently raw (pixel invaders) type;<br />
<br />
<b>DMX/Artnet/OLA Support:</b><br />
I have added on proper IP protocol support using <a href="http://code.google.com/p/open-lighting/?redir=1">OLA </a>Open Lighting Architecture. This allows support of standardized lighting protocols and allow you to control your pictures from many more applications.<br />
<br />
There is now a shim layer which interfaces the output of OLA to the pixels; I'm still learning about the OLA package; its quite impressive and I think it will suite these needs perfectly.<br />
<br />
<b>Pixel Grouping:</b><br />
I've added support for grouping pixels so they can be controlled with a single group of RGB DMX data. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Getting organized:</b><br />
So right now the new pixel pi implementation is missing much of the test mode stuff in the original. I'll be adding it over time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Issues and contributions:</b><br />
I've added an issues page to <b> </b>the <a href="https://github.com/PixelPi/PixelPi/issues">PixelPi github</a> page; please feel free to make a new issue for any changes, bugs, enhancements.Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-75425480413236774312012-08-16T09:14:00.000-04:002012-11-22T10:42:13.965-05:00Raspberry Pi and the WS2801<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4cYqQMSnxu0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<b>Update (October 29th):</b><br />
Big update here: <br />
<a href="http://thegreatgeekery.blogspot.ca/2012/10/pixelpi-update.html">http://thegreatgeekery.blogspot.ca/2012/10/pixelpi-update.html </a><br />
<br />
<b>Update (August 19th):</b><br />
<b> </b>- Pixel Invaders support provided in the 1.3.0-Beta4 release of pixel controller (Here: https://github.com/neophob/PixelController/downloads)<br />
- Tested and working with the latest checked in version of PixelPi<br />
- Run it like this: " sudo python pixelpi.py --chip WS2801 --mode all_off "<br />
- It works by sending the pixel data to the pixelPi software using a UDP network connection. So in pixelcontroller you must setup a UDP output device with the IP set to the IP address of your Raspberry Pi board<b> (</b>Keep the port set at 6803)<br />
- The PixelPi software receives the packet and sets the pixels accordingly.<br />
<br />
<b>Update (august 17th):</b><br />
- Just added preliminary support for pixel invaders; Neophob (from <a href="http://www.pixelinvaders.ch/">http://www.pixelinvaders.ch</a>) just added UDP support so the pixelcontroller software can talk to the Raspberry Pi<b> </b>(<a href="https://github.com/neophob/PixelController/issues/23">https://github.com/neophob/PixelController/issues/23</a>) Its still a work in progress but should be functional(ish)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What it does so far:</b><br />
- Supports POV LED Strip (Like the original Adafruit Software)<br />
- Now Support matrix displays (2D Panels)<br />
- Added some test modes (fade and chase modes)<br />
- Supports pixel remapping (by using a CSV file with the location of your pixels in the array)<br />
- Adjustable refresh rate / chase rate<br />
- All options selectable by command line args (no python tweaking required (hopefully))<br />
<br />
<b>What's up next.</b><br />
- panning on large images across the pixel array. Ideally I was thinking it would be cool to pass in some images from vgamaps.com and have it pan around them.<br />
- animation support (maybe animated GIF)<br />
- TCP/IP support (support sending display data from another PC) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Installation:</b><br />
<br />
Grab the python file:<br />
git clone git://github.com/scottjgibson/PixelPi.git<br />
<br />
Install Python Image library:<br />
sudo aptitude install python-imaging-tk<br />
<br />
UsageL <br />
pi@raspberrypi ~/git/PixelPi $ sudo python pixelpi.py --help<br />
usage: pixelpi.py [-h] [-v] [--chip {WS2801,LDP8806}] --filename FILENAME<br />
--mode {strip,array,fade,chase} [--verbose]<br />
[--array_width ARRAY_WIDTH] [--array_height ARRAY_HEIGHT]<br />
[--spi_dev SPI_DEV_NAME] [--refresh_rate REFRESH_RATE]<br />
<br />
optional arguments:<br />
-h, --help show this help message and exit<br />
-v, --version show program's version number and exit<br />
--chip {WS2801,LDP8806}<br />
Specify chip type LDP8806 or WS2801<br />
--filename FILENAME Specify the image file eg: hello.png<br />
--mode {strip,array,fade,chase}<br />
Choose the display mode, either POV strip or 2D array,<br />
color, chase<br />
--verbose enable verbose mode<br />
--array_width ARRAY_WIDTH<br />
Set the X dimension of your pixel array (width)<br />
--array_height ARRAY_HEIGHT<br />
Set the Y dimension of your pixel array (height)<br />
--spi_dev SPI_DEV_NAME<br />
Set the SPI device descriptor<br />
--refresh_rate REFRESH_RATE<br />
Set the refresh rate in ms (default 500ms)<br />
<br />
<br />
Test with a fade:<br />
sudo python pixelpi.py --chip WS2801 --mode fade --refresh_rate 1<br />
<br />
Test with a chase:<br />
sudo python pixelpi.py --chip WS2801 --mode chase--refresh_rate 1<br />
<br />
Display an image (POV mode):<br />
sudo python pixelpi.py --chip WS2801 --mode strip --filename test.png --refresh_rate 1<br />
<br />
Display an image (Array mode):<br />
sudo python pixelpi.py --chip WS2801 --mode array --filename test.png --refresh_rate 1<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Wire up the RGB LED string:</b><br />
I did something similar to this:<br />
http://learn.adafruit.com/light-painting-with-raspberry-pi/hardware<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>My starting point:</b><br />
http://learn.adafruit.com/light-painting-with-raspberry-pi/software<br />
<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-58242774362049819802011-10-27T21:19:00.000-04:002011-10-27T21:19:08.025-04:0020000 Page ViewsLast week I hit 20000 page views (more than I would have expected), I'm pretty surprised especially considering the very narrow scope of my posts.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lots of interest from Russia and Poland on many of my projects; apparently I was born on the wrong continent.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Thanks Everyone / dziękuje wszystkim / </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Спасибо всем</span></div>Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-66199543877754531702011-10-18T10:03:00.000-04:002012-11-22T10:53:19.336-05:00Powder Coating System MK-II Progress<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have had a few questions and requests for additional documentation regarding my next powder coating machine build.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have drawn up some proper schematics of the powder coating controller including the subsections for variable HV supply.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The full controller schematic is here:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtjcIbOsMTAwpY1E-RjxkRC9hR94xKuZAx0MuGryB8T__fs6qQtMQIqEE-EqUtU8nfy9U5cO4VYL36QOywxs18NwZAwi918v4u8oasVAgxe1Kco_McjMk0FBNMC7FkxEfM7vpExKg8tqc/s1600/Schematic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtjcIbOsMTAwpY1E-RjxkRC9hR94xKuZAx0MuGryB8T__fs6qQtMQIqEE-EqUtU8nfy9U5cO4VYL36QOywxs18NwZAwi918v4u8oasVAgxe1Kco_McjMk0FBNMC7FkxEfM7vpExKg8tqc/s320/Schematic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You'll notice I just specified 28VDC input; its really up to you how to obtain this; you can get cheap switching modules off ebay; laptop power supplies, or you can build your own power supply with a transformer and rectifier (My preference as its most robust option). I didn't go into it here as its pretty standard stuff</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have also done a schematic and board for just the HV supply; again its just a simple switching power supply which drives the flyback transformer. There are other popular flyback drivers which use the resonance of the flyback itself to set the frequency, but I have found the timer based designs easiest to build and having the easiest to obtain parts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is the schematic:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYJX4BlzbN1kEP22yW9-BF1CaS4OAbKJwuj9_12UlMg7S9FyBMefDDroWQNPsMr4p7vj2mhuP_d7OUsslR6e2YZpc6gk6Jz87iczAiibKWNQ7rhnBH4oyjlBzGjtE5f_l5Wp6mg8DnPL3/s1600/schematic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYJX4BlzbN1kEP22yW9-BF1CaS4OAbKJwuj9_12UlMg7S9FyBMefDDroWQNPsMr4p7vj2mhuP_d7OUsslR6e2YZpc6gk6Jz87iczAiibKWNQ7rhnBH4oyjlBzGjtE5f_l5Wp6mg8DnPL3/s320/schematic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And the board layout:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_OxzNl5GL13PbuTZHqobcx2f4IJ-sxiaL3j9PdnPS6-w59L4Mp8shjyVAEoTHXlMyaFh28aNk5W27tzekRBrNPZi29VcCqOBpAZdR_avfzCzrwpBzFfd32ai7P8kk9CjX2FWBLaB2bzq/s1600/board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_OxzNl5GL13PbuTZHqobcx2f4IJ-sxiaL3j9PdnPS6-w59L4Mp8shjyVAEoTHXlMyaFh28aNk5W27tzekRBrNPZi29VcCqOBpAZdR_avfzCzrwpBzFfd32ai7P8kk9CjX2FWBLaB2bzq/s1600/board.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm going to have boards made for this driver; If you're interested I'll be selling them for $10 each + $2 shipping (I will just send them as "letter mail"). Let me know via e-mail or comments if you're interested as that will get me motivated to put them up on the store <a href="http://www.thegreatgeekery.com/store/">http://www.thegreatgeekery.com/store/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm also playing with the idea of moving the flyback (and a HV cascade) onto the gun, I havn't made too much progress in this area, just a box of parts really...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-90427298353240771632011-10-03T21:45:00.001-04:002011-10-04T09:05:18.605-04:00Back from vacation let the projects beginMy latest batches of boards are in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptG1Vg8VprF0Hl9OiJKv371XSByuBYDN26KriZokvqqBflk9POjaeFGO5w1hk2_2wZ0TGcqxFMYeNBysdorm4TkyXpw_Z-jf6W7Ng94r8otyFzEwMRjAXKil6N521qhM5NwKWjxUl12y/s640/blogger-image-157211299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptG1Vg8VprF0Hl9OiJKv371XSByuBYDN26KriZokvqqBflk9POjaeFGO5w1hk2_2wZ0TGcqxFMYeNBysdorm4TkyXpw_Z-jf6W7Ng94r8otyFzEwMRjAXKil6N521qhM5NwKWjxUl12y/s640/blogger-image-157211299.jpg" /></a></div>
Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-52385198241516934552011-09-24T18:44:00.001-04:002012-11-22T10:44:42.248-05:00Major news in the Roomote projectBrian Pratt, the developer of the Roomote iPhone app has released the source code for the client side (iOS app) and server side Mac OS app. <br />
<br />
I have been working on a cross platform server application but now with full access to the source code it should really speed things up. <br />
<br />
Progress has been a little slow on my port. I have the server auto discovery working using avahi in place of bonjour, working on the command decoding from the iPhone. It looks like the Roomote iPhone app doesn't use bit packed data structures which was causing issues with my decoding. <br />
<br />
I have finished my prototype ultra low profile Roomba Bluetooth interface, I anticipate the circuit boards arriving this week. I'll post more details on this shortly. <br />
<br />
Many thanks to Brian for sharing his hard work and helping me with my port. <br />
<br />
Brian's Roomote Page<br />
http://www.brianhpratt.net/cms/index.php?page=roomote<br />
<br />
Brians Roomote github page:<br />
http://github.com/brianpratt/roomote<br />
<br />
My Github page:<br />
https://github.com/scottjgibson/roomote<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-29048201564620734282011-08-21T21:52:00.000-04:002012-11-22T10:45:32.279-05:00Roomba iPhone ControlStarted porting the OSX interface app for the roomote iphone interface. Essentially it allows you to use your roomba as a little remote control bot which can play music and drive around. Also allows you to see some diagnostic stuff.<br />
<br />
Here is my github page:<br />
<a href="https://github.com/scottjgibson/roomote">https://github.com/scottjgibson/roomote</a><br />
<br />
Here is the main roomote page which has the source for the OSX app:<br />
<a href="http://www.brianhpratt.net/cms/index.php?page=roomote">http://www.brianhpratt.net/cms/index.php?page=roomote</a><br />
<br />
Its been slow going because I'm working on a PCB for a low profile bluetooth roomba interface.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to the roomote iPhone App:<br />
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/roomote/id335355833?mt=8">http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/roomote/id335355833?mt=8</a><br />
<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-69496314589436101932011-08-19T14:22:00.005-04:002011-11-28T14:58:39.827-05:00Reception of Global-TV OTA DTV in Ottawa (Kanata)<b>Update: Nov 27th - Finally got it; see the bottom for details</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Global TV started broadcasting in Digital (HD) over the air in mid august. Like many others I was not able to receive it.<br />
<br />
<b>The Problem:</b><br />
Due to the DTV Transition Global-TV Ottawa (Channel-6) has changed transmitters. Their previous transmitter was 50KW; their new transmitter is 3KW... As you can imagine its much more difficult to tune it in now.<br />
<br />
<b>My original setup:</b><br />
- A digiwave 4-bay UHF antenna (ANT-2048 - which I bought for $20 at <a href="http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=164_165&item_id=016930">Canada Computers</a>) in an upstairs bedroom, connected to a cheap radioshack distribution amplifier I have had for years<br />
<br />
I was able to pick up Global TV analog with this setup despite using a UHF only antenna; and Global TV being on Channel 6 (VHF-Low band).<br />
<br />
Here is my tvfool report: <a href="http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e748956995e10">http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9e748956995e10</a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>First Attempt:</b></span><br />
In looking for the cheapest possible solution I have decided to add a VHF-Low dipole (rabbit ears - extended horizontally) to my setup; as well as replace the distribution amplifier with a UHF/VHF combiner - amplifier<br />
<br />
<b>First Attempt Equipment:</b><br />
- VHF Dipole (Rabbit Ears): <a href="http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Indoor+Antennas&product=1500235">http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Indoor+Antennas&product=1500235</a><br />
- UHF/VHF Combiner / preamp thing: Digiwave ANT-1028: <a href="http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=164_165&item_id=021144">http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=164_165&item_id=021144</a><br />
<br />
<b>Some thoughts on the Digiwave ANT-1028:</b><br />
(1) Don't buy it: its seriously made as cheaply as I can ever imagine, the F connectors were loose, its not weather shielded; the ampilfier unit doesn't have F-connectors; you have to strip your coax and clamp it on to. The connections on the combiner / preamp are not labelled at all. You have to take the tin box apart and read the silkscreen on the pcb (which is under the connectors) to see what they are. No instructions.<br />
<br />
Update:<br />
The good part is Canada Computers is a reputable company and they allowed me to return it without issue.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures of the construction of the device:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk4g6RntXgmsaJJfw-RZNp9mBYwSaXH-0DFH8dWfIZGN4Iupt1oLkGdRSlMu9PU1lKxJAFsGhEfOg-JKrr3N4FdK9n6Vkb8p9sanv821uZmdtfMr_y1Aiu368-7dlbglLJr5tuqiCicgx/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk4g6RntXgmsaJJfw-RZNp9mBYwSaXH-0DFH8dWfIZGN4Iupt1oLkGdRSlMu9PU1lKxJAFsGhEfOg-JKrr3N4FdK9n6Vkb8p9sanv821uZmdtfMr_y1Aiu368-7dlbglLJr5tuqiCicgx/s320/image_1.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyxwAc6M-bbNA7l_4T9UEfg2LEcbDIMqid04yxW4A2sz3IJ7hEZym8hBn4fK8yoSaXgbAQ53DioUfennx_KS_hz6FtycuuL_3Ynl_skgsTp1sSfdqVm_VcL5dD8FOTI2P4uyRy5E8PreW/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyxwAc6M-bbNA7l_4T9UEfg2LEcbDIMqid04yxW4A2sz3IJ7hEZym8hBn4fK8yoSaXgbAQ53DioUfennx_KS_hz6FtycuuL_3Ynl_skgsTp1sSfdqVm_VcL5dD8FOTI2P4uyRy5E8PreW/s320/image_3.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnpeBm3dQtbQX9-Mb7OFxovenlOTt5kCzo7TgV_qfksBqAVP2B_v_qF-JR7UQ7zsakQMIfkLdGqTPoEEp2T1c0OpwQ38LxoMfOp5QyAUQhBdCs25FAfzx-f8cPGawHwJUiCO_VIjH3hQn/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnpeBm3dQtbQX9-Mb7OFxovenlOTt5kCzo7TgV_qfksBqAVP2B_v_qF-JR7UQ7zsakQMIfkLdGqTPoEEp2T1c0OpwQ38LxoMfOp5QyAUQhBdCs25FAfzx-f8cPGawHwJUiCO_VIjH3hQn/s320/image_2.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Results:</b><br />
Didn't give me any better performance versus just my UHF antenna :( Infact many UHF channels came in worse compared to not using the amplifier/combiner. CJOH was slightly clearer, but not much better.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Second Attempt:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.otacanada.com/">http://www.otacanada.com</a> to the rescue. I stumbled across this site while searching for Canadian OTA suppliers. I was happy to discover they share a store with motofoto in the Carlingwood mall in Ottawa. I visited one lunch hour and boy was I surprised, nice to find a small business which stocks this stuff and knows what they're talking about. I definitely would recommend them to anyone looking for OTA stuff in Ottawa, they even have an antenna guide on their website: <a href="http://www.otacanada.com/cgi-bin/ota_recs.pl">http://www.otacanada.com/cgi-bin/ota_recs.pl</a><br />
<br />
<b>Second Attempt Equipment:</b><br />
- VHF Dipole (Rabbit Ears): <a href="http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Indoor+Antennas&product=1500235">http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Indoor+Antennas&product=1500235</a><br />
- Channel Master CM-7777<br />
<br />
<b>CM-7777 impression:</b><br />
- Huge step up from the digiwave (also more than twice the price mind you). Build quality is excellent; its actually shielded properly, includes instructions and labelled connectors, as well as an FM trap which is good when trying to receive channel 6.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUH_x74HV1rcM3H4qKTn6GLeDNhtoTEa5XzZTOBYaVnZSOmoLoAxUdXAPu8Kr3DEtVMNiMKl7I3elMoqkTM_sQ2NYMoFWjUB_CPdVxxD86RFfNykdkJQ3TzX7kVrSCENwX4ugH-du7UO/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUH_x74HV1rcM3H4qKTn6GLeDNhtoTEa5XzZTOBYaVnZSOmoLoAxUdXAPu8Kr3DEtVMNiMKl7I3elMoqkTM_sQ2NYMoFWjUB_CPdVxxD86RFfNykdkJQ3TzX7kVrSCENwX4ugH-du7UO/s320/image_4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Results</b>:<br />
This box made a huge difference compared to not; and compared to the digiwave box. I now receive 20 OTA channels; but unfortunately still no global... But all other channels are clearer and have better strength.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Attempt 3: Diy Folded Dipole</span></b><br />
I followed this guide (<a href="http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/dipole.html">http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/dipole.html</a>) to determine the length of antenna to make.<br />
<br />
Jeff at <a href="http://www.otacanada.com/">http://www.otacanada.com</a> was nice enough to sell me some 300ohm wire for cheap, so for channel 6 (centered at 85MHz)<br />
The wavelength on 300ohm twin-lead is 3.352 meters; so the antenna length is half that; at 1.676m. I installed a 300-75ohm converter right at the antenna.<br />
<br />
Update:<br />
I soldered up the antenna; but no luck receiving global. No better reception compared to rabbit ears.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Update: Moving to the antennas to the attic worked; so I gave up on this... <strike> Attempt 4 (A) DIY Channel 6 Tuned Yagi:</strike></span></b><br />
<strike>Starting to plan a build of a "Channel Cut" directional Yagi antenna tuned for channel 6.</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike><br />
<strike>Since it will be going in the attic; not much needed in the way of weather proofing; So I'm going to go with a design with a wood frame and copper wire based directors / reflector.</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike><br />
<strike>Planning a design similar to this:</strike><br />
<a href="http://members.ziggo.nl/astrid.vanunnik/446/446pmrantyagi.htm"><strike>http://members.ziggo.nl/astrid.vanunnik/446/446pmrantyagi.htm</strike></a><br />
<strike><br /></strike><br />
<strike>I have decided that before I attempt taking on a new antenna; I'll move my setup to the attic</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Attempt 4 (B) Antennas to the attic:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">I'm in progress of moving my antennas to the attic of my home; I don't want to put them outside for cosmetic reasons, so I thought I would try the attic before building a new antenna (which would need to go in the attic anyways).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">having a house built in the 80's there is no convenient way to get the wire into the attic. I have resorted to running the coax to the second floor via a cold air return; then going to the attic in the corner of the closet (which backs on to the same cold air return). Not an easy task as the cold air return has some corners in it. I have had success using a wire pulling fish. I am using this one: </span><a href="http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/hand-tools/measuring-tools/distance-measuring/8067944-50-ft-fish-tape-with-lighted-end">http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/hand-tools/measuring-tools/distance-measuring/8067944-50-ft-fish-tape-with-lighted-end</a> it works quite well (though I have never bothered with the illuminated end) and its cheap and available locally.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Update - Nov 27th 2011</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
Finally got some coax to the attic. No luck getting global with rabbit ears; but I finally had success with my home made folded dipole. With everything pointed properly I know get all of the local stations! So I'm using my home made channel folded dipole pointed at camp fortune; and my 4 bay UHF pointed at HC. These antennas are combined with a CM-7777.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Resources;</span></b><br />
Global-TV Ottawa Reception Thread:<a href="http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=143890">http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=143890</a><br />
Current Digital TV Broadasting Status: <a href="http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html">http://www.user.dccnet.com/jonleblanc/Canada_TV_Stations/DT.html</a><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-87690125789767181132011-08-09T09:41:00.000-04:002011-08-09T09:41:16.151-04:00Roomba router fail...So I got my little linux router all fixed up and connected to the roomba. I compiled a little test program to send some commands to the roomba to make it move, it worked!<br />
<br />
Now I went on to power the router via the SCI port on the roomba. From what I have read the power is essentially a tap directly off the battery. So I connected it up and it worked, at first...<br />
<br />
Shortly after connecting it the roomba started making the uh-oh sound, over and over again; :( So I powered it off and back on with everything disconnected and it kept making the same sound; plugged it in to charge; same sound.<br />
<br />
The only way that I could get it to stop making sad noised was to do the battery reset procedure.<br />
<br />
Starting to work on a plan-B for networking the roomba; going with a simple bluetooth serial bridge.Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-39215072338609938492011-08-06T10:06:00.000-04:002012-11-22T10:48:59.125-05:00Belkin F7D3302 HackingI bought a cheap Wireless-N router which supports USB the Belkin F7D3302.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://en-us-support.belkin.com/app/product/detail/p/5132">http://en-us-support.belkin.com/app/product/detail/p/5132</a></span><br />
<br />
Immediately I loaded dd-wrt on it, and got hacking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How to install DD-WRT on Belkin F7D3302</b><a href="http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=603693&sid=7edc20fe8941b0c8001cf0039d3de589"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=603693&sid=7edc20fe8941b0c8001cf0039d3de589</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Seems no one has yet documented the power supply or serial port (Which I'm planning on using for controlling my Roomba)<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Serial Port:</span></b><br />
Connector J3 - already has header :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_9Q8Pz4NFro6FJQ0dz7yOfzKcl7tskn9jzd6t2ElWbfp1wmOyXoKqJoe2CbWU7TAxUTBuIfN49kOSCCMZptoZMufdmlTcrL9lSUfqSDG6g4axl-ybhCi0WN6PJZsNFEpDaJFFw-R1a2b/s1600/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_9Q8Pz4NFro6FJQ0dz7yOfzKcl7tskn9jzd6t2ElWbfp1wmOyXoKqJoe2CbWU7TAxUTBuIfN49kOSCCMZptoZMufdmlTcrL9lSUfqSDG6g4axl-ybhCi0WN6PJZsNFEpDaJFFw-R1a2b/s320/image+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<br />
Pin 1: Vcc (3.3V)<br />
Pin 2:RX<br />
Pin 3:TX<br />
Pin 4: Gnd<br />
<br />
I hooked it up using my trusty <a href="http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate">Bus Pirate</a>, I don't know how I did things without it; its seriously the most useful and important tool I have.<br />
<br />
Below is a capture of the bus pirate session; and monitoring the bootup of the router.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
No mode set, M for mode<br />
HiZ><br />
* Syntax error, type ? for help<br />
HiZ>m<br />
1. HiZ<br />
2. 1-WIRE<br />
3. UART<br />
4. I2C<br />
5. SPI<br />
6. JTAG<br />
7. RAW2WIRE<br />
8. RAW3WIRE<br />
9. PC KEYBOARD<br />
10. LCD<br />
(1) >3<br />
Mode selected<br />
Set serial port speed: (bps)<br />
1. 300<br />
2. 1200<br />
3. 2400<br />
4. 4800<br />
5. 9600<br />
6. 19200<br />
7. 38400<br />
8. 57600<br />
9. 115200<br />
10. 31250 (MIDI)<br />
(1) >9<br />
Data bits and parity:<br />
1. 8, NONE *default<br />
2. 8, EVEN<br />
3. 8, ODD<br />
4. 9, NONE<br />
(1) ><br />
Stop bits:<br />
1. 1 *default<br />
2. 2<br />
(1) ><br />
Receive polarity:<br />
1. Idle 1 *default<br />
2. Idle 0<br />
(1) ><br />
Select output type:<br />
1. Open drain (H=Hi-Z, L=GND)<br />
2. Normal (H=3.3V, L=GND)<br />
(1) ><br />
READY<br />
UART><br />
* Syntax error, type ? for help<br />
UART><br />
* Syntax error, type ? for help<br />
UART>?<br />
MENUS<br />
? Help<br />
I Status info<br />
M Bus mode<br />
B Terminal speed<br />
O Data display format<br />
V Check supply voltages<br />
F Frequency count on AUX<br />
G Frequency generator/PWM on AUX<br />
C AUX pin assignment<br />
L Bit order<br />
P Pullup resistors<br />
= HEX/DEC/BIN converter<br />
~ Self test<br />
# Reset<br />
$ Bootloader<br />
SYNTAX<br />
A/a/@ AUX output toggle H/L/read<br />
W/w Power supply toggle on/off<br />
d (D) Measure voltage on ADC probe (continuous)<br />
[ ({) Start (with read)<br />
] or } Stop<br />
R or r Read byte<br />
0b Write BIN byte<br />
0h or 0x Write HEX byte<br />
0-255 Write DEC byte<br />
, Delimiter (also space)<br />
& 1uS delay<br />
: Repeat (r:2, 0x0a:4, &:20, ^:2, etc.)<br />
(#) Run macro, (0) for macro list<br />
RAW BUS OPERATIONS<br />
/\ Clock H/L<br />
-/_ Data H/L<br />
. Read data input pin state<br />
^ Clock tick<br />
! Read bit<br />
UART>(0)<br />
0.Macro menu<br />
1.Transparent UART bridge<br />
2. Live UART monitor<br />
3.UART bridge with flow control<br />
UART>(2)<br />
Raw UART input. Space to exit.<br />
Decompressing...done<br />
Decompressing...done<br />
Init Arena<br />
Init Devs.<br />
Boot partition size = 131072(0x20000)<br />
et0: Broadcom BCM47XX 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Controller 5.10.128.0<br />
CPU type 0x19740: 453MHz<br />
Tot mem: 65536 KBytes<br />
CFE mem: 0x80700000 - 0x8079A400 (631808)<br />
Data: 0x80731500 - 0x807338B0 (9136)<br />
BSS: 0x807338B0 - 0x80734400 (2896)<br />
Heap: 0x80734400 - 0x80798400 (409600)<br />
Stack: 0x80798400 - 0x8079A400 (8192)<br />
Text: 0x80700000 - 0x80731500 (201984)<br />
Copying boot params.....DONE<br />
Bootloader version 0.08e boot_version 0.08e<br />
Project name : WG7016F22 1-LF-AK<br />
Press space bar to cancel startup...<br />
Device eth0: hwaddr 94-44-52-99-E0-4B, ipaddr 192.168.1.50, mask 255.255.255.0<br />
gateway not set, nameserver not set<br />
Loader:raw Filesys:raw Dev:flash0.os File: Options:(null)<br />
Loading: .. 3916 bytes read<br />
Entry at 0x80001000<br />
Closing network.<br />
Starting program at 0x80001000<br />
Linux version 2.6.24.111 (eko@dd-wrt) (gcc version 4.1.2) #3050 Tue May 17 17:23:53 CEST 2011<br />
CPU revision is: 00019740<br />
Determined physical RAM map:<br />
memory: 04000000 @ 00000000 (usable)<br />
Zone PFN ranges:<br />
Normal 0 -> 16384<br />
HighMem 16384 -> 16384<br />
Movable zone start PFN for each node<br />
early_node_map[1] active PFN ranges<br />
0: 0 -> 16384<br />
Built 1 zonelists in Zone order. Total pages: 16384<br />
Kernel command line: console=ttyS0,115200 root=1f02 rootfstype=squashfs noinitrd<br />
Primary instruction cache 32kB, physically tagged, 4-way, linesize 32 bytes.<br />
Primary data cache 32kB, 4-way, linesize 32 bytes.<br />
Synthesized TLB refill handler (20 instructions).<br />
Synthesized TLB load handler fastpath (32 instructions).<br />
Synthesized TLB store handler fastpath (32 instructions).<br />
Synthesized TLB modify handler fastpath (31 instructions).<br />
PID hash table entries: 512 (order: 9, 2048 bytes)<br />
CPU: BCM4716 rev 1 at 453 MHz<br />
Using 226.500 MHz high precision timer.<br />
console [ttyS0] enabled<br />
Dentry cache hash table entries: 8192 (order: 3, 32768 bytes)<br />
Inode-cache hash table entries: 4096 (order: 2, 16384 bytes)<br />
Memory: 58732k/65536k available (3386k kernel code, 6748k reserved, 1437k data, 188k init, 0k highmem)<br />
Mount-cache hash table entries: 512<br />
NET: Registered protocol family 16<br />
Generic PHY: Registered new driver<br />
PCI: Using membase 8000000<br />
PCI: Initializing host<br />
PCI: Reset RC<br />
PCI: no core<br />
PCI: Fixing up bus 0<br />
PCI/PCIe coreunit 0 is set to bus 1.<br />
PCI: Fixing up bridge<br />
PCI: Fixing up bridge<br />
PCI: Enabling device 0000:01:00.1 (0004 -> 0006)<br />
PCI: Fixing up bus 1<br />
Device 0 map irq 0<br />
result->irq 6<br />
HND PCIE device corerev 14 found at 1/0/0<br />
Device 0 map irq 0<br />
result->irq 6<br />
HND PCIE device corerev 14 found at 1/0/1<br />
NET: Registered protocol family 2<br />
Time: MIPS clocksource has been installed.<br />
IP route cache hash table entries: 1024 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)<br />
TCP established hash table entries: 2048 (order: 2, 16384 bytes)<br />
TCP bind hash table entries: 2048 (order: 1, 8192 bytes)<br />
TCP: Hash tables configured (established 2048 bind 2048)<br />
TCP reno registered<br />
F7D3301v1/3302v1/4302v1 - F5D8235v3 GPIO Init<br />
devfs: 2004-01-31 Richard Gooch (rgooch@atnf.csiro.au)<br />
devfs: boot_options: 0x1<br />
squashfs: version 3.0 (2006/03/15) Phillip Lougher<br />
io scheduler noop registered<br />
io scheduler deadline registered (default)<br />
HDLC line discipline: version $Revision: 4.8 $, maxframe=4096<br />
N_HDLC line discipline registered.<br />
Serial: 8250/16550 driver $Revision: 1.90 $ 4 ports, IRQ sharing disabled<br />
serial8250: ttyS0 at MMIO 0x0 (irq = 8) is a 16550A<br />
PPP generic driver version 2.4.2<br />
PPP Deflate Compression module registered<br />
PPP BSD Compression module registered<br />
MPPE/MPPC encryption/compression module registered<br />
NET: Registered protocol family 24<br />
PPPoL2TP kernel driver, V1.0<br />
tun: Universal TUN/TAP device driver, 1.6<br />
tun: (C) 1999-2004 Max Krasnyansky <maxk qualcomm.com="qualcomm.com"><br />
eth0: Broadcom BCM47XX 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Controller 5.60.127.4<br />
Physically mapped flash: Found 1 x16 devices at 0x0 in 8-bit bank<br />
Amd/Fujitsu Extended Query Table at 0x0040<br />
number of CFI chips: 1<br />
cfi_cmdset_0002: Disabling erase-suspend-program due to code brokenness.<br />
Flash device: 0x800000 at 0x1c000000<br />
Found Belkin TRX magic<br />
bootloader size: 196608<br />
nvram size: 32768<br />
Found Belkin TRX magic<br />
Physically mapped flash: Filesystem type: squashfs, size=0x6049fb<br />
partition size = 6315008<br />
Creating 5 MTD partitions on "Physically mapped flash":<br />
0x00000000-0x00030000 : "cfe"<br />
0x00030000-0x007f0000 : "linux"<br />
0x0018a400-0x00790000 : "rootfs"<br />
mtd: partition "rootfs" doesn't start on an erase block boundary -- force read-only<br />
0x007f0000-0x00800000 : "nvram"<br />
0x00790000-0x007f0000 : "ddwrt"<br />
Found a 0MB serial flash<br />
sflash: found no supported devices<br />
Broadcom Watchdog Timer: 0.07 initialized.<br />
u32 classifier<br />
Actions configured<br />
Netfilter messages via NETLINK v0.30.<br />
nf_conntrack version 0.5.0 (1024 buckets, 4096 max)<br />
ctnetlink v0.93: registering with nfnetlink.<br />
IPv4 over IPv4 tunneling driver<br />
GRE over IPv4 tunneling driver<br />
ip_tables: (C) 2000-2006 Netfilter Core Team<br />
ClusterIP Version 0.8 loaded successfully<br />
TCP bic registered<br />
TCP cubic registered<br />
TCP westwood registered<br />
TCP highspeed registered<br />
TCP hybla registered<br />
TCP htcp registered<br />
TCP vegas registered<br />
TCP scalable registered<br />
NET: Registered protocol family 1<br />
NET: Registered protocol family 17<br />
Welcome to PF_RING 3.2.1<br />
(C) 2004-06 L.Deri <deri ntop.org="ntop.org"><br />
NET: Registered protocol family 27<br />
PF_RING: bucket length 128 bytes<br />
PF_RING: ring slots 4096<br />
PF_RING: sample rate 1 [1=no sampling]<br />
PF_RING: capture TX No [RX only]<br />
PF_RING: transparent mode Yes<br />
PF_RING initialized correctly.<br />
PF_RING: registered /proc/net/pf_ring/<br />
802.1Q VLAN Support v1.8 Ben Greear <greearb candelatech.com="candelatech.com"><br />
All bugs added by David S. Miller <davem redhat.com="redhat.com"><br />
decode 1f02<br />
VFS: Mounted root (squashfs filesystem) readonly.<br />
Mounted devfs on /dev<br />
Freeing unused kernel memory: 188k freed<br />
start service<br />
starting Architecture code for broadcom<br />
starting hotplug<br />
done<br />
Booting device: Belkin F7D3302 / F7D7302 v1<br />
loading switch-core<br />
loading switch-robo<br />
roboswitch: Probing device eth0: found a 5325!<br />
[USB] checking...<br />
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbfs<br />
usbcore: registered new interface driver hub<br />
usbcore: registered new device driver usb<br />
USB20H mdio control register : 0x80000008<br />
ehci_hcd 0000:00:04.1: EHCI Host Controller<br />
ehci_hcd 0000:00:04.1: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 1<br />
ehci_hcd 0000:00:04.1: irq 5, io mem 0x18004000<br />
ehci_hcd 0000:00:04.1: USB 0.0 started, EHCI 1.00, driver 10 Dec 2004<br />
usb usb1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice<br />
hub 1-0:1.0: USB hub found<br />
hub 1-0:1.0: 2 ports detected<br />
USB Universal Host Controller Interface driver v3.0<br />
USB20H mdio control register : 0x80000008<br />
ohci_hcd 0000:00:04.0: OHCI Host Controller<br />
ohci_hcd 0000:00:04.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 2<br />
ohci_hcd 0000:00:04.0: irq 5, io mem 0x18009000<br />
usb 1-1: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2<br />
usb usb2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice<br />
hub 2-0:1.0: USB hub found<br />
hub 2-0:1.0: 2 ports detected<br />
usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice<br />
SCSI subsystem initialized<br />
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...<br />
scsi0 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices<br />
usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage<br />
USB Mass Storage support registered.<br />
/bin/sh: can't create /proc/switch/eth1/reset: nonexistent directory<br />
/etc/preinit: line 66: can't create /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_conntrack_max: nonexistent directory<br />
/etc/preinit: line 66: can't create /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_conntrack_max: nonexistent directory<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
wl0.1: No such device<br />
wl0.2: No such device<br />
wl0.3: No such device<br />
eth1: Operation not permitted<br />
nbw = 20<br />
eth1: Invalid argument<br />
eth1: Invalid argument<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
/bin/sh: can't create /proc/sys/net/bridge/bridge-nf-call-arptables: nonexistent directory<br />
/bin/sh: can't create /proc/sys/net/bridge/bridge-nf-call-ip6tables: nonexistent directory<br />
/bin/sh: can't create /proc/sys/net/bridge/bridge-nf-call-iptables: nonexistent directory<br />
br0: Dropping NETIF_F_UFO since no NETIF_F_HW_CSUM feature.<br />
device br0 entered promiscuous mode<br />
br0: No such file or directory<br />
device vlan1 entered promiscuous mode<br />
device eth0 entered promiscuous mode<br />
br0: No such file or directory<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
wl0.1: No such device<br />
wl0.2: No such device<br />
wl0.3: No such device<br />
eth1: Operation not permitted<br />
eth1: Invalid argument<br />
nbw = 20<br />
eth1: Invalid argument<br />
eth1: Invalid argument<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
eth1: Operation not supported<br />
device eth1 entered promiscuous mode<br />
br0: No such file or directory<br />
device vlan2 entered promiscuous mode<br />
br0: port 3(vlan2) entering learning state<br />
br0: port 2(eth1) entering learning state<br />
br0: port 1(vlan1) entering learning state<br />
device br0 left promiscuous mode<br />
device br0 entered promiscuous mode<br />
device br0 left promiscuous mode<br />
device br0 entered promiscuous mode<br />
scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access OCZ ET1208AD 1.0 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] 4095999 512-byte hardware sectors (2097 MB)<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] 4095999 512-byte hardware sectors (2097 MB)<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Assuming drive cache: write through<br />
/dev/scsi/host0/bus0/target0/lun0: p1<br />
sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Attached SCSI removable disk<br />
br0: topology change detected, propagating<br />
br0: port 3(vlan2) entering forwarding state<br />
br0: topology change detected, propagating<br />
br0: port 2(eth1) entering forwarding state<br />
br0: topology change detected, propagating<br />
br0: port 1(vlan1) entering forwarding state<br />
Key is a RSA key<br />
Wrote key to '/tmp/root/.ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key'<br />
Key is a DSS key<br />
Wrote key to '/tmp/root/.ssh/ssh_host_dss_key'<br />
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device<br />
/bin/sh: hdparm: not found<br />
[USB Device] partition:<br />
[USB Device] partition: --- /dev/discs/disc0/disc<br />
[USB Device] partition: Block device, size 1.953 GiB (2097151488 bytes)<br />
[USB Device] partition: DOS/MBR partition map<br />
[USB Device] partition: Partition 1: 1.952 GiB (2096342016 bytes, 4094418 sectors from 62)<br />
[USB Device] partition: Type 0x83 (Linux)<br />
[USB Device] partition: Ext2 file system<br />
[USB Device] file system: Ext2 file system<br />
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device<br />
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device<br />
SIOCGIFFLAGS: No such device<br />
etherip: Ethernet over IPv4 tunneling driver<br />
The Milkfish Router Services<br />
ERROR: Necessary service setting not found: milkfish_username - aborting.<br />
The Milkfish Router Services<br />
Restoring SIP ddsubscriber database from NVRAM...<br />
Empty.<br />
The Milkfish Router Services<br />
Restoring SIP ddaliases database from NVRAM...<br />
Empty.<br />
UART></davem></greearb></deri></maxk></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Power Supply:</b></span><br />
I measured the current on the input by removing; and it peaked at 400mA while reading USB, and at idle was around 300mA.<br />
<br />
My next goal was to see if the power supply would accept the higher voltage from the Roomba; or if I would be required to step it down.<br />
<br />
Below is a picture of the power supply; the input is 12VDC at maximum 1A. By visual inspection I believe the power supply to have two primary rails; A 5V rail used for USB; and a 3.3V Rail used for the logic. There are linear regulators to drop the 3.3V rail to 1.8V for the main processor and the wired Ethernet switch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMykk6Po6lIDpw2BSsheRpg2BbK2kHHPfKk0lLLEhyphenhypheneouUxUflDKA5aDirN2N5k6EpWstHPWzivR7l1qld6oPXiO8sIsg7RcUW6HaCIWV8wEcpw0UGym2VaPIjftrI_2emjIL_pUyk1cF/s1600/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMykk6Po6lIDpw2BSsheRpg2BbK2kHHPfKk0lLLEhyphenhypheneouUxUflDKA5aDirN2N5k6EpWstHPWzivR7l1qld6oPXiO8sIsg7RcUW6HaCIWV8wEcpw0UGym2VaPIjftrI_2emjIL_pUyk1cF/s320/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<br />
<b>3.3V Regulator:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Apw7080: 4A, 26V, 380kHz, Asynchronous Step-Down Converter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Datasheet: <a href="http://moddedreality.dreamhosters.com/Apw7080.pdf">http://moddedreality.dreamhosters.com/Apw7080.pdf</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4.5 to 26V input</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3.3 or 5V output; in this case 3.3V</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">in 2 is enable; this may be useful for automatic power up/down of the router when interfaced to roomba</span></span></li>
</ul>
<b>5V Regulator:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Zt1413s ASYNC switching regulator Input: 4.75~23V Output:0.92~15V 2A 380KHz 95% SOP8EPMP</li>
<li>Datasheets seem non existent for this regulator;</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Reducing Power Consumption for battery powered operation: </b><br />
<br />
I'm looking for ways to reduce the power consumption of the router because I'm planning on having it battery powered; currently drawing around 400mA @12V (4.8W) with USB connected its not too power hungry; but less the better. I havn't done full measurements with high traffic; at this point I'm getting some estimates.<br />
<br />
<b>Idea 1:</b><br />
Add a means to remove power to the wired Ethernet switch.<br />
Part: Broadcom BCM5325: <a href="http://www.broadcom.com/products/BCM5325">http://www.broadcom.com/products/BCM5325</a><br />
Power: The full datasheet isn't available; but in the product brief it says < 1.4W, assuming its around 1W idle (warm to the touch so this is likely a reasonable estimate); I could save 20% by removing power.<br />
<br />
Near Ethernet Switch there is another regulator to drop the 3.3V rail to 1.8V <br />
<br />
Ld1117a - <a href="http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ds/2572.pdf">http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ds/2572.pdf</a><br />
<br />
My plan is to add a switch to be able to switch the the wired ethernet switch on and off, I would prefer to have this controlled via software; I'll need to find a GPIO in order to do this. This way I can keep in on by default and power it off when connected to the roomba.Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690741093260927599.post-63786557566591627732011-05-19T15:59:00.000-04:002011-05-19T15:59:28.298-04:00Ontario InternetSince Teksavvy and Acanac Cable have finally come to my area (West Ottawa) I have compiled a spreadsheet comparing prices of the options available to me (Bell, Rogers, Teksavvy, Acanac)<br />
<br />
I used the raw data to calculate some interesting results;<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Assumptions:</span><br />
- Where possible Modem Purchase was chosen (as to not inflate monthly expenses with rental fees)<br />
- Bundling or other promotions are not taken into consideration(bundling enters you in to long term contracts whether you're told or not)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Services Compared:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bell Fibe (Not Fiber Optic; VDSL2 I think)</span><br />
- Not sure if this is available to me; it seems to be about the worst overall in terms of price / performance<br />
<br />
<b>Specs:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"> Downlink Speed (Mbps) UplinkSpeed (kbps) Usage Allowance (GB) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 6 6 1024 25</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 12 12 1024 50</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 16 16 1024 75</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 25 25 7168 75</span><br />
<br />
<b>Monthly Fees:</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Monthly Cost Modem Rent Monthly Cost Over. Charge/GB Max Overage Charge</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 6 $44.95 $3.95 $44.95 $2.00 $60.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 12 $54.95 $3.95 $54.95 $1.50 $60.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 16 $64.95 $3.95 $64.95 $1.00 $60.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 25 $70.95 $6.95 $70.95 $1.00 $60.00</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Startup Fees:</b></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Bell Activation Fee Modem Purchase Price</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 6 $29.95 N/A</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 12 $29.95 N/A</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 16 $29.95 N/A</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Fibe 25 $29.95 N/A</span></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rogers Cable Internet (DOCSIS 3.0)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Rogers offers the highest performance internet in my area (up to 50MBps) however it couples them with low caps (you will reach the Cap within 8 hours)!</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Specs</b>:</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"> Downlink Speed (Mbps) UplinkSpeed (kbps) Usage Allowance (GB)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Ultralite 0.5 256 2</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">lite 3 256 15</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">express 10 512 60</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme 15 1024 80</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme plus 25 1024 125</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">ultimate 50 2048 175</span><br />
<br />
<b>Monthly Fees:</b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"> Monthly Cost Modem Rental Monthly Cost Overage / GB Max Overage</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Ultralite $27.99 $0.00 $27.99 $5.00 $50.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">lite $35.99 $0.00 $35.99 $4.00 $50.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">express $46.99 $0.00 $46.99 $2.00 $50.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme $59.99 $0.00 $59.99 $1.50 $50.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme plus $69.99 $0.00 $69.99 $1.25 $50.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">ultimate $99.99 $0.00 $99.99 $0.50 $50.00</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Startup Fees:</b></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Rogers Activation Fee Modem Purchase Price</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Ultralite $14.95 $99.99</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">lite $14.95 $99.99</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">express $14.95 $200.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme $14.95 $200.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">extreme plus $14.95 $200.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">ultimate $14.95 $200.00</span></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Teksavvy Cable Internet (DOCSIS 3.0)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Just started reselling rogers cable internet a couple of weeks ago in my area</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Specs</b>:</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Teksavvy Downlink Speed (Mbps) UplinkSpeed (kbps) Usage Allowance (GB)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Lite) 3 256 300</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Express) 10 512 300</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Extreme) 15 1024 300</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Pro) 15 1024 Unlimited</span><br />
<br />
<b>Monthly Fees</b>:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Teksavvy Monthly Cost Modem Rental Monthly Cost Overage Charge per GB Max Overage Charge</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Lite) $27.95 $0.00 $27.95 $0.50 Unlimited</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Express) $36.95 $0.00 $36.95 $0.50 Unlimited</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Extreme) $42.95 $0.00 $42.95 $0.50 Unlimited</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Cable (Pro) $54.95 $0.00 $54.95 $0.00 N/A</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Startup Fees</b>:</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Teksavvy Activation Fee Modem Purchase Price</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Lite) $44.95 $65.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Express) $44.95 $65.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Extreme) $44.95 $65.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Pro) $44.95 $65.00</span></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Acanac Cable Internet (DOCSIS 3.0)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Just started reselling rogers cable internet a couple of weeks ago in my area</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Prices based on length of sign up; I prices both by the month and by the year</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div><br />
Acanac (Monthly Payment) Downlink Speed (Mbps) UplinkSpeed (kbps) Usage Allowance (GB)<br />
Cable 7.5 (Capped) 7.5 800 40<br />
Cable 10 (Capped) 10 1024 60<br />
Cable 10 (Unlimited) 10 512 Unlimited<br />
Cable 15 (Unlimited) 15 1024 Unlimited<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Acanac (Monthly Payment) Monthly Cost Modem Rental Monthly Cost Overage Charge per GB Max Overage Charge</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $37.95 $0.00 $37.95 $4.50 $50.00</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 10 (Capped) $58.95 $0.00 $58.95 $1.65 Unlimited</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $44.95 $0.00 $44.95 $0.00 N/A</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $48.95 $0.00 $48.95 $0.00 N/A</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
Acanac (Monthly Payment) Activation Fee Modem Purchase Price</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $29.95 $50.00</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 10 (Capped) $29.95 $50.00</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $29.95 $50.00</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $29.95 $50.00</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><br />
Acanac (Yearly Payment) Downlink Speed (Mbps) UplinkSpeed (kbps) Usage Allowance (GB)<br />
Cable 7.5 (Capped) 7.5 800 40<br />
Cable 10 (Capped) 10 1024 60<br />
Cable 10 (Unlimited) 10 512 Unlimited<br />
Cable 15 (Unlimited) 15 1024 Unlimited<br />
<br />
Acanac (Yearly Payment) Monthly Cost Modem Rental Monthly Cost Overage Charge per GB Max Overage Charge<br />
Cable 7.5 (Capped) $37.95 $0.00 $37.95 $4.50 $50.00<br />
Cable 10 (Capped) $58.95 $0.00 $58.95 $1.65 Unlimited<br />
Cable 10 (Unlimited) $35.95 $0.00 $35.95 $0.00 N/A<br />
Cable 15 (Unlimited) $39.95 $0.00 $39.95 $0.00 N/A<br />
<br />
Acanac (Yearly Payment) Activation Fee Modem Purchase Price<br />
Cable 7.5 (Capped) $29.95 $50.00<br />
Cable 10 (Capped) $29.95 $50.00<br />
Cable 10 (Unlimited) $29.95 $50.00<br />
Cable 15 (Unlimited) $29.95 $50.00<br />
<br />
<br />
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<blockquote><br />
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</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Cost Per Gigabyte (without overage charges):</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bell Cost / GB (without exceeding plan)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 6 $1.96</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 12 $1.18</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 16 $0.92</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 25 $1.04</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Rogers Cost / GB (without exceeding plan)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ultralite $16.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">lite $2.67</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">express $0.90</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme $0.84</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme plus $0.62</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ultimate $0.61</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Teksavvy Cost / GB (without exceeding plan)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Lite) $0.09</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Express) $0.12</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Extreme) $0.14</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Pro) $0.00</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acanac (Monthly) Cost / GB (without exceeding plan)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $0.95</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) $0.98</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $0.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $0.00</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acanac (Yearly) Cost / GB (without exceeding plan)</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $0.95</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) $0.98</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $0.00</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $0.00</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hours of Download at Max Rate</span><br />
How many hours you can download at your maximum rate before you get charged overage fees:<br />
Unlimited internet shows at 720 hours (30 days * 24 hours)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Bell Hours to reach cap</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 6 9</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 12 9</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 16 11</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 25 7</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Rogers Hours to reach cap</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ultralite 9</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">lite 11</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">express 14</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme 12</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme plus 11</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ultimate 8</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Teksavvy Hours to reach cap</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Lite) 228</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Express) 68</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Extreme) 46</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Pro) 720</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Acanac (Monthly) Hours to reach cap</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) 12</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) 14</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) 720</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) 720</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Acanac (Yearly) Hours to reach cap</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) 12</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) 14</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) 720</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) 720</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Cost Per Hour Of Netflix</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bell Cost Per Hour (default) Cost Per Hour (HD) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 6 $0.59 $1.96 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 12 $0.35 $1.18 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 16 $0.28 $0.92 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fibe 25 $0.31 $1.04 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Rogers Cost Per Hour (default) Cost Per Hour (HD) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ultralite $4.80 $16.00 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">lite $0.80 $2.67 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">express $0.27 $0.90 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme $0.25 $0.84 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">extreme plus $0.18 $0.62 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ultimate $0.18 $0.61 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Teksavvy Cost Per Hour (default) Cost Per Hour (HD) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Lite) $0.03 $0.09 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Express) $0.04 $0.12 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Extreme) $0.04 $0.14 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable (Pro) $0.08 $0.08 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acanac (Monthly) Cost Per Hour (default) Cost Per Hour (HD) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $0.28 $0.95 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) $0.29 $0.98 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $0.06 $0.06 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $0.07 $0.07 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acanac (Yearly) Cost Per Hour (default) Cost Per Hour (HD) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 7.5 (Capped) $0.28 $0.95 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Capped) $0.29 $0.98 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 10 (Unlimited) $0.05 $0.05 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cable 15 (Unlimited) $0.06 $0.06 </span> <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">All The Data!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0Amvsq2y8NM-RdFdaRHc5eDEtTmxOSDZldkl1eWhyaVE&single=true&gid=5&output=html&widget=true" width="500"></iframe></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Scott Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759040624540828619noreply@blogger.com4