Author Archives: esden

Ok … back again

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It is really time that I write something here. It is nearly one year since I last posted something here. But I was doing some things in the mean time. ^^

First of all I finished my Diploma at the University of applied sciences in Rosenheim. Now I am working at the computer science chair of Prof. Radig. The name of the chair is “Image Understanding and Knowledge-Based Systems” it somehow sounds cool. ^^

But basicly I get payed for programming Common Lisp. My work now involves getting the high level systems running on the real Robot. Till now all the high level planning stuff was only running in simulation.

In my short free time I started the ELCO Project which should become a framework for developing Lisp based software for Embedded systems. But I have to write a more elaborate article on that topic.

And the last thing for today. I just released my first shot on the schematics of a really Open source Brushless Drive Controller. You can find the eagle schematic (yes I know eagle is not open but the open source alternatives just suck!) in a git repository on GitHub.

I also can only encourage you to subscribe me on identi.ca. I am posting bit more frequently there. ^^

Cheers everyone!

cl-opengl-thomas mac os x bindings with native GLUT.framework

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I got the information that the branch I used in the previous version is an older one and that I should migrate to the so called thomas branch.

So I did it and now it seems that all examples are working. Ok … the varray example is not working. It somehow is not willing to compile for me and I am too lazy to look into this problem. (perhaps next time)

You can get it here.

Have fun!

cl-opengl mac os x bindings with native GLUT.framework

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I have adapted the cl-opengl bindings so that it runs with the GLUT bundle that is being shipped with mac os x.

Most examples seem to work. The ones that do not work need a more complicated fixing. But the API should run correctly. (I hope so ™)

You can get the first version here.

I will try to continue testing and fixing the bindings. I i do so there will probably be also a repository for it. Who knows … ^^

I have tested it with sbcl 1.0.12 on a Leopard driven MacBook Pro.

Have fun

P.S. Greetings from 24c3 ^^

P.P.S … I made a screenshot that is attempting to proove that it is really working: shot

Programming the BL-Ctrl’ers

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Some days ago I was able to program my BL-Cntrlers using PonyProg.

I had some problems doing this because I do not posess a machine with a builtin Serial interface and Windows. The problem is that the programmer uses a bitbang protocol on the serial port with very stirct timing constrains so I can not use a Serial to USB converter. First time I tried to program the controllers I tried to use the laptop of a friend but it seems that because it has frequency scaling the timings were not right, so I had to use a windows machine at my university.

It seems that everything works so far. The programmer said that the download was successful and the LEDs light up.

Later I also tried to program the controlers using avrdude under Linux. I built up a linux machine from some spare parts that were lying around my room. Sadly it is not working. avrdude says that the device is not responding. I have to try some other linux machine with builtin serial device to see if the problem is because of the very old hardware.

Next step will be to get some brushless motors and build up the fourth controller. I was thinking about getting four Robbe ROXXY2824-34. I heard that they often have problems so I will have to buy more then four to make sure that I get 4 working ones.

Still I will have to wait some time until I start working at my diploma thesis company. Before that I have no money to purchase them.

But still I am very happy that programming was a success what means that I did not screw anything up during the assembly (at least for now). Another small step towards my own mikrokopter. 😉

BL-Ctrl and Serial Converter assembled

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Finally after some problems I was able to assemble three BL-Ctrl and the serial converter.

Why I have not built four BL-Ctrl is because I broke one Atmega microcontroller while assembling the PCBs.

Next step will be to test the BL-Ctrl modules. To do that I still need some things. First I need some possibility to connect my 12V power supply to the modules and second I need multipin connectors on the BL-Ctrl modules where I can connect the serial converter.

I will look for the parts I need at Reichelt and order them. During the assembly of the modules I realized that I miss some tools so I will order them too.

At least I did one step towards my own Mikrokopter. 😉

Mikrokopter PCBs

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Finally!

Today I got my PCBs for the serial converter and BL-Controls. Now I can finally start building all up. It took an unexpected long time until they arrived.

I hope that most parts I ordered will mostly fit on these small things … the package with the parts looks very big compared to the PCBs 😉

The Mikrokopter PCBs not here yet

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Sadly I had to realize that the guys selling the PCBs are currently on vacation. I should have read their homepage more carefully.

But the positive thing is that they will be back on monday the 19th so they will perhaps ship them tomorrow. Can’t wait to get them and start building.

I will need some kind of tweezers for soldiering the parts. Hopefully I will be able to organize them before the PCBs reach me.

Mikrokopter

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Long time no post…

Some weeks ago a friend of mine showed me these incredible machines at mikrokopter. I was so amazed about these small flying machines that I got myself the first parts for building such a small flying machine myself.

Because I have nearly no money I split the purchases in small pieces. First of all I got myself four brushless motor controller pcbs and an Atmel programmer pcb from the mikrokopter shop and the nessesary parts.

The next steps will be getting following parts:

  • One brushless engine to test the controlers
  • Flight-Control pcb with all parts (that will be a pretty big chunk)
  • A reciever and a remote to test the flight-ctrl
  • A frame
  • The remaining engines
  • And finally the rotors

Then I should have a complete and flying mikrokopter. I will probably stretch the purchaices over many months while I progress with assembling, testing and earning nessesary money.

Wish me luck with that project. 😉

Apple and their Support

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After a long time finally a new entry here.

Some time ago I owned a Powerbook 15″. This one had a problem with its second ram slot. It was not detected by the system. I called Apple Care but they were not willing to fix that. I really was upset about that because it was a known problem. Still the serial number of my Powerbook was not in the range Apple considered affected by that problem. >_< Now I have a MacBook Pro 17″ and some days ago my battery grew to its double size. Yes just like the one in this article here. I realized that only because my touch pad button was not clicking anymore and when I put my hand near the touch pad it triggered the button. Searching the web showed the article at Gizmodo above. I looked at the back of my laptop and was shocked.

Yesterday I called Equinux and asked what can be done. They checked my Serial number and said that I should bring my laptop over. So directly after work I went there and without much asking they took my battery and said that they will replace it. (That is something that I was not expecting after my experiances with my Powerbook.)

As I was already there I pointed out a little cosmetic problem I had. The band underneath the keyboard weared off and lost its matt look just some weeks after I got my Macbook. (I will post a picture of it later.) They also said with no hesitation that they will replace the whole top if I want to. The problem I have is that I need my laptop all the time for my work so I can not leave it even for a day for fixing. So they said that they will make a appointment with me so I can come over and the technician will replace it in one hour. That is what I call service.

Now they showed me that Apple can also have a very good support as long as you have a guarantee coverage on your hardware. I can only say that I am very happy that I bought Apple Care along with the MacBook. That will save me lots of money and annoyance in the future.