Archive for the ‘Decompression’ Category
Open Source Dive Computer (OSTC)
Jawohl freunden, today I ordered the open source dive computer (OSTC) developed by the gentlemen Christian Weikamp Heinrich and Matthias Weikamp. As some of you may know I’m on the quest to combine my computer skills with my diving skills in the hope I can create/contribute something new and at the same time learn more about decompression modeling and the application of computing in diving. The cool thing of this project is that everything is open, the hardware design, all used parts and the software. So this is really a perfect platform to start exploring this exciting area.
The hardware:
- Microchip PIC18F4685 Processor
- Dimensions: length 70mm, height 62mm, depth 28mm
- Pressure sensor: 14 Bar absolute; accuracy +-20 mBar
- Temperature sensor: 0.1°C resolution; accuracy +-1°C
- Intersema MS5541B sensor for pressure and temperature
- OLED-Display: 128×64 Pixel; available in yellow or green; 180° viewing angle
- 128 kB non-volatile memory for profile data, 96 kB program memory, 3.3 kB SRAM
- Real time clock
- USB-interface
- Replaceable LiPoly accumulator for at least 40 h of battery life or two years in standby; rechargeable via USB-interface or optional external power supply
- I²C, RS-232 and 10 Bit A/D for internal or external auxiliary modules
The Interface:
- Compact USB interface
- Mini-USB port
- 3 LEDs for status display
- Charges the battery using power from USB
- Hidden Reset-button for OSTC (necessary for firmware updates)
- Uses a FTDI FT232R USB Chip
- The driver for Windows can be found here. They are included in Linux Kernel > 2.6.9
After I have had some time to play around with it and dive with it, I will post a full review on this site for you to enjoy. I will also try to post some more software development related posts when I’m a bit further with understanding the code-base and hardware.
More info can be found here: http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net. Please note that they’re currently re-designing the site. Only a German version is available in the new layout. The “old” English version can still be found on http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/old/ostc/en/ . If you’re interested or have questions the forum (http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/forum/index.php) is very active and of course Christian and Matthias can answer all of your questions.
The adventure begins!
Below are some pictures I borrowed from the forum and the website.
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