Editing BitWacker PIC and Other Microcontroller to Java Communications
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*Name: BitWacker Java Communications | *Name: BitWacker Java Communications | ||
*Purpose: A family of applications for communication with BitWacker or other serial connected applications. | *Purpose: A family of applications for communication with BitWacker or other serial connected applications. | ||
− | *Status: some applications running, others in various states including ready for testing | + | *Status: some applications running, others in various states including ready for testing |
*Technology: Java -- should run on many platforms, Windows 98 through Vista, Mac, Linux. | *Technology: Java -- should run on many platforms, Windows 98 through Vista, Mac, Linux. | ||
− | *Author: | + | *Author: russ_hensel ( where you can find an email address to reach me ) |
*License: not fully determined, but open source and object code. | *License: not fully determined, but open source and object code. | ||
+ | == Introduction and Request for Testers of the Software == | ||
− | + | Note: This code should be useful not only to BitWhacker users, but to any MicroController users who want RS232 or USB ( virtual RS232 ) communications to their microcontroller. | |
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− | Note: This code should be useful not only to | ||
A new interesting device ( basically an advanced development board with firmware ) is the BitWacker: | A new interesting device ( basically an advanced development board with firmware ) is the BitWacker: | ||
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particular applications of the BitWhacker. The more specialized applications actually turn the BitWacker/PC into entirely new applications. See below. | particular applications of the BitWhacker. The more specialized applications actually turn the BitWacker/PC into entirely new applications. See below. | ||
− | We now have some beta level code ( | + | We now have some alpha-beta level code ( March 19 08 ) and we are looking for testers. The tester should: |
* Have a BitWhacker and cables to connect to a PC. ( or other microcontroller with serial comm ability rs232 or usb ) | * Have a BitWhacker and cables to connect to a PC. ( or other microcontroller with serial comm ability rs232 or usb ) | ||
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The contents of this page should change fairly frequently for the next few weeks, check back if you are just lurking. | The contents of this page should change fairly frequently for the next few weeks, check back if you are just lurking. | ||
− | + | For more information and a copy of the software contact [[russ_hensel]] | |
− | + | == Status == | |
+ | March 22 2008 | ||
+ | * Still looking for testers, do you guys actually like Hyperterminal? | ||
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+ | March 19 2008 | ||
+ | *RS232Probe: ready for early test. | ||
+ | *BitWacker: ready for early test. | ||
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+ | March 12 2008 | ||
+ | *RS232Probe: Runs, not too bad, not robust against error and not all features running. | ||
+ | *BitWacker Command GUI: Got my BitWacker and tested. First bunch of API runs, now based on character processing, would like to allow decimal hex and binary input and input validation of fields, not there yet | ||
+ | *Testers wanted: I would like to see if someone can simply get it installed and run on their computer. Contact me [[russ_hensel]]. | ||
== Application Variations == | == Application Variations == | ||
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=== First Application: The [[RS232/USB Probe]] === | === First Application: The [[RS232/USB Probe]] === | ||
− | Much like a terminal emulator but with some special features to test embedded devices. Store multiple commands and issue with press of button. Implement various handshaking/flow control. [[RS232/USB Probe]] | + | Much like a terminal emulator but with some special features to test embedded devices. Store multiple commands and issue with press of button. Implement various handshaking/flow control. [[RS232/USB Probe]] |
=== Second Application: [[BitWacker Command GUI]] === | === Second Application: [[BitWacker Command GUI]] === | ||
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For low speed logging, up to say 1 measurement per second. Nice graphical output ( using PtPlot ) | For low speed logging, up to say 1 measurement per second. Nice graphical output ( using PtPlot ) | ||
− | === Fourth Application: Low Speed Logic | + | === Fourth Application: Low Speed Logic Analizer === |
For low speed logic ( want to track my various heating zones ), say down to 1 measurement per hour. Nice graphical output ( using PtPlot ) Really an adaptation of the Graphical Data Logger but with provisions to prevent the various graphs from overlapping thus obsucring the graphs. | For low speed logic ( want to track my various heating zones ), say down to 1 measurement per hour. Nice graphical output ( using PtPlot ) Really an adaptation of the Graphical Data Logger but with provisions to prevent the various graphs from overlapping thus obsucring the graphs. | ||
− | === Fifth Application: | + | === Fifth Application: Smart Battery Charger with Graphical Data Logger === |
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− | + | Basically a peak detecting charger for NiCad and Nickle metal hydride batteries. After fast charge drops back to trickle charging. Charging logic is all on the PC, so can be very smart with a nice GUI. Will require an add-on board. I have an old version of this based on different hardware which may be used as a starting place for the project. | |
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== More Information: == | == More Information: == | ||
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|-valign="top" | |-valign="top" | ||
|Log4j | |Log4j | ||
− | |need to look up the url | + | |need to look up the url |
<!-------------------------------- | <!-------------------------------- | ||
|-valign="top" | |-valign="top" | ||
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== Installation Directions For all the Applications ( This is a first cut, more details will follow ) == | == Installation Directions For all the Applications ( This is a first cut, more details will follow ) == | ||
− | * Configure | + | * Configure Java JDK or Java Runtime Environment as it suits you. I am using version 1_4 to stay compatible with older machines. You can find it round about [http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html Download Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition, v 1.4.2 (J2SE)] |
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− | * | + | * Download and install the java comm API for your platform. Sun is no longer support this ( I will change to some other support soon ) I found it at [[ where]] This can be a problem because a bad installation often fails without any messages. |
− | * | + | * Download RS232Etc.zip. I will provide a location soon, for testers email me [[russ_hensel]] Unzip to an installation directory ( c:\RS232Etc for example but in any case avoid directory names with embedded blanks ) Do not un-jar the jar file(s) ( unless you just want to mess around ) Source code will be provided in RS232Etc.jar when it it a bit more stable. Note that renaming the .jar file to .zip will allow you to extract the files with most zip utilities that do not directly support jar files. |
− | + | The next few steps are just for the BitWacker GUI, similiar files are included for the other applications. | |
+ | *Edit BitWacker.properties for your configuration. ( see section below on BitWacker.properties and directions in the file ) | ||
− | + | *Edit the BitWacker.bat file for your configuration ( see directions in bat file ). You may want to do this in a copy of the file so that you always have the original bat file ( or maybe we will give you two copies). | |
− | + | *Double click the bat file to run the program, begin debugging the installation. | |
== Coding Standards == | == Coding Standards == | ||
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Lots of comments, tell intent, do no repeat what can be read from the code. | Lots of comments, tell intent, do no repeat what can be read from the code. | ||
− | Limit scope but you need not be a | + | Limit scope but you need not be a fanitic. |
− | + | Meaningfull variable, method, and class names, no hungarian notation, but prefix for scope may be useful. | |
Access instance variables through getters and setters. Exception: GUI elements. | Access instance variables through getters and setters. Exception: GUI elements. | ||
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== Example Property File == | == Example Property File == | ||
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End Example Property File | End Example Property File | ||
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