To Do list

This list, of course, will change over time, but a permanent link to the page will be provided in the side bar.

• Simulate physics of rudder
• Figure out of WLAN can be used to create a home-brew differential GPS
  
• Implement fail-safe mechanism when heartbeat is missing
• Get black foil to cut out letters for "AC.motion"
• Check range with laptop and wireless USB adapter with both laptops in park
• Get resin filler to fill concave corners on stern before applying fiber
• Fill concave corners with thickened resin, self-made shaped spatula
  
• Build gear for rudder and servo connection
• Decide on positioning of Ping sensor (on web cam?)
• Problem: Plugs on mast cable won't fit through hole.
• Plexiglas window in lid for LCD display? Another thought: Keys that can be operated from outside, serviced by Basic Stamp?
  
• Figure out what struts are needed to fix stamp to front board, LCD display to lid, Ping sensor to cam
• Check out effect of lid on GPS reception
• Buy dual channel A/D converter, to measure battery voltage via a voltage divider
• Buy relay to cut off power through Basic Stamp when BS receives no heartbeat messages
  
• Is there a Java API for BlueTooth, and what is the range? Could be used as backup
• BTW, the Basic Stamp could connect to the servo controller through the serial interface, assuming USB and serial operation can be done in parallel
• Water sensors (how)?
• On start up of Loihi, launch "operating system" (the AC.motion on board software)
• Use beep codes, LCD display output to "illustrate" start-up and current state
• Web interface to ship state for monitoring, "onlookers"
  

Done:

• Increase number of parameters (chars) when talking to BS -> changed to binary transmission
  
• Buy 1-2 Notebook QuickCams (Notebook Cam is out of production :-( bought "Live" cam)
  
• How could I use the Netgear improved range stuff with a laptop (that is, on battery power)? (did some research; 05.08.2006)
  
• Add clean ports to Basic Stamp for power
• Write Basic Stamp communications module (26.07.2006)
  
• Power bus, fixed on board to reduce cable salad (see point below)
  
• In general: plug system is not safe (too many blank parts; solved by using luster terminals; 23.07.2006)
• Extend cable to front thruster, shorten cable to rear thruster (done; 23.07.2006)
  
• Give Basic Stamp proper serial connector (pins on board, a pin/serial plug cable; did just that, works find with USB to serial converter and laptop; 23.07.2006)
• Main switch to disconnect battery poles (solved by adding Tamiya style connectors to each battery; 23.07.2006)
  
• Check if +5V power is connected to the right pin of the Basic Stamp (it is - either apply 5.5 to 15V on the unregulated pin, or 4.5 to 5.5V on the regulated pin. 22.07.2006)
• Create integrating sensor that adds up digital input over time (22.07.2006)
• Program key sensors as fallback for the joystick (see point below)
  
• Create keyboard input sensor as joystick fallback (22.07.2006)
  
• Charger for lead acid batteries (bought at Conrad)
• Buy servo extension for rudder servo (bought at Conrad)
• Build cradle for ship for work, display, and transport (i.e., rudder and propeller need to be protected and free)
• Redesign software components