Real-time Environmental Monitoring

This topic has 38 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 6 months ago by Radu.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 38 total)

1 2 3 →

Author

Posts
December 6, 2014 at 11:48 pm #666

Lars
Participant

Good news!

Do you have room for more features in there? An avahi server whould be nice. Giving people with Mac or Linux (don’t know about windows support) the possibility of reaching it by typing http://uradmonitor.local or similar. No need to look up IP in router DHCP table.

How is the update performed? Via ethernet, or do we have to pop it open?

December 7, 2014 at 10:21 am #675

Radu
Keymaster

We’ll need to open the units and do the update manually 🙁

Wish there was a way to implement OTA updates, but that’s simply not possible with the current firmware.

To update, a programmer is needed. I personally use the USPAsp. Any of these two variants will work:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351223992863
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351223992863
Though I prefer the one with longer cable. Also it’s important they are set to 3.3V using the jumper. Using it set at 5V is dangerous for the Ethernet module in the uRADMonitor unit.

December 7, 2014 at 1:47 pm #684

Ally
Participant

You mention that OTA update is not possible in the current firmware. Are OTA updates possible in future firmware releases?

I’m sure a lot of us have some experience of circuit boards, flashing firmware, etc, but there could equally be just as many people afraid to brick their unit by opening it up. And anyway, doesn’t opening it up void the warranty? 😉

December 7, 2014 at 2:18 pm #688

Radu
Keymaster

It sure does! 🙂 The risk is there, alright. The hardware is the problem, it just doesn’t have enough memory to store the download, and then replace the current firmware, like it’s done with other OTA updates.

The microcontrollers used are the atmega328p, with 32K of flash, 2KB ram and 1KB eeprom.

The binary firmware is currently getting close to 14KB.

I guess some will be able to update the firmware, while some will only be able to continue using the stock one.

December 9, 2014 at 4:06 pm #772

Hexide
Participant

Really nice choice micro-controller choice 🙂
Most people who tinkered around with Adruino, should have general idea where to start.

December 9, 2014 at 5:40 pm #776

Radu
Keymaster

The first uRADMonitor devices used the mega168, but the project grew in complexity so the upgrade was natural.

I was wondering if it would be possible to integrate OTA, using an exotic technique: having the code run in the first 16KB section of flash (offset 0), download the new firmware in the second section (offset 16K), than move new firmware block to offset 0 when download is ready. This might require a bootloader. I wonder if its possible to do it without one?

Anyone has any experience with this?

December 12, 2014 at 3:25 pm #881
Mike
Participant
I found someone on Amazon that looks to be selling the programmers state-side for those in the US. I ordered one; let you guys know how it works.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Mike.
December 12, 2014 at 4:35 pm #883

Radu
Keymaster

Feel free to post a link Mike!

December 12, 2014 at 6:14 pm #884

Mike
Participant

Here’s what I ordered up;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ2XLUO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

December 13, 2014 at 9:58 am #903

Radu
Keymaster

Yup, that’s the one. Just remember to set it to 3.3V when using it with the uRADMonitor PCB.

By default it comes configured for 5V, and there is a switch (or a resistor that needs to be cracked/unsoldered) to change it to 3.3V. There is silk print indicating this on one of the sides.

December 13, 2014 at 10:33 am #910

Pixel_K
Participant

Great news !

I ordered an USBasp on ebay (switchable tot 3.3V) in the expectation of the new firmware.

Thank you for your work radhoo !

December 18, 2014 at 9:22 pm #1000

Mike
Participant

Just got the programmer from Amazon and it is the right one and does indeed have the 3.3v/5v 0ohm resister on the back.

December 27, 2014 at 1:19 pm #1032

SamH
Participant

Just purchased this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350887076068

So happy to help testing the new firmware 🙂

December 29, 2014 at 7:22 pm #1039
vinz
Member
I just set up the current firmware, Radu sent me.
It works fine and fixes the minor DHCP error we described.
- Programmer: AVR Dragon (USB)
- Software: Atmel Studio 6.2 -> Tools -> Device Programming
- I made a simple converter from 6-pin ISP to 10-pin ISP.
  The 10-pin header has to be connected rotated as @Radu describes.
- The AVR Dragon does not supply the 3.3V power. You have to power the device itself. Dragons level shifters get powered from the urad-device.
It is very dangerous to open any electric device, especially this one.
Do only what you, yourself understand and can absolutely take all the responsibility.

Vinz
January 2, 2015 at 12:17 am #1092
Cyan Labs
Participant
Radu,

I don’t have the tools capable of writing new firmware to the device.

Once you’re satisfied that it’s stable, is it possible to have the unit sent back to you to be updated?

Or is there anyone in Australia who might be able to assist?
- This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Cyan Labs.
Author

Posts