Current Status


4.28.05
Since the CDR, we have been working on an enclosure for the project, as well as the final paperwork and presentation for the demo day tomorrow. After some work, we have managed to fit the project into a black box. Initially, we had a problem; we shorted out a driver chip, causing it to need replacement. After that, we replaced the components in the box with a healthy supply of electrical tape and we have had no problems since. Several days ago, we again successfully tested the project in Ryan's car and it worked exactly as expected. We forsee no problems tomorrow on demo day. We are being stationed outside of Marcus and will be there from 10am-2pm. Come visit!

4.11.05
Our final presentation is in two days and we have spent this past week working very hard. As of now, we have made great progress. Using a computer (outside), we are able to physicall hook the system up to Ryan's car and (via the COM port), interact with it. From the keyboard, we can turn off the headlights, lock and unlock the doors, arm and disarm the alarm, and turn off a sounding alarm. The next step is to configure the system to use the cellular modem (provided with the Rabbit kit) instead of the COM port. We already have working cellular modem code so this shouldn't be a very hard part.

We are coming to a close, after our presentation on Wednesday, we will be working on putting the system into a neat enclosure and working on the paperwork, then we are finished with this course.

2.28.05
We are continuing to work more on the specifics. After studying the Rabbit system's manual, we learned how to write the code for input/output interaction. We can read from a specified port and modify the data on the ports. We have decided to use Port F for our design. This is our first step in implementing the actual car's signals with the kit.

We have also made progress on the car to system interface. The Rabbit processor's output ports logic is 0 volts low and 3.3 volts high. In order to control the car's systems (locks, headlights, the alarm) we need 12 volts.

2.8.05
The final semester has begun, and so has our work on the project. We have already met several times as a group and continue to plan and design our project. We have the majority of the parts needed. Our next step is to install the alarm into a physical car. Ryan has volunteered his black 1998 Dodge Neon to be our test car, since he is already familiar with the car's electrical systems. Ryan and Andrew are focusing on the alarm installation, while Joe and Matt are working on the code. Last semester we were able to make contact with our system (the Rabbit kit) via cell phone text messaging. We have the code template that does this. We are working on a heavily modified version of the code to respond to external signals (coming from the car). So right now, we are working on installing the alarm successfully and making major revisions to the code. We have determined there are several input/output ports on the Rabbit board we can use, we now need to learn how to use them in the code.

12.5.04
Now that we have our parts, we have been making progress. We have spent much time studying the sample code, and have successfully been able to send and recieve text messages using the kit. The programming language C is used to perform the functions. As of now, we have been able to simulate the car alarm being tripped and the headlights being on using the included LCD and keyboard unit, and the system send a text message to a predefined phone number saying that the alarm or headlights are on. Sending a text message (consisting of a single letter) back to the system will, in the future, allow the system to modify the car's state.


11.19.04
We have spent the past month searching in vain for compatible PC-104 parts at a price within our budget but got nothing, so we decided to purchase a GSM kit that contains all the parts we need. There is still much work to be done though. We need to program the modem to respond to AT commands, design an interface to communicate with the car and the sytem, and obtain a DC-DC power supply for the system. Our MDR is 12.8 and we need to have our parts by then and understand how to use them.


10.28.04
We are continuing our search for compatible parts. We have isolated four main parts we will need: PS104 power supply, PC104 main board, PC104 Carrier board, and a PCMCIA GSM wireless cellular modem. The hard part is to find each part at a good price and make sure that they are all compatible. For example, the main board OS must match the modem's drivers. We are continuing to contact vendors and seeking to buy the parts listed above.