Difference between revisions of "Beacon3"
From Hackstrich
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== Ideas == | == Ideas == | ||
| − | * Less LEDs, but much much brighter. Thinking either a triangle or square with a 1, 3, or 5W RGB LED (either integrated or discrete) on each side. | + | * Beacon Unit |
| − | * Planar PCB that fits onto the spindle, then LED PCBs that plug in vertically seems like it would work | + | ** Less LEDs, but much much brighter. Thinking either a triangle or square with a 1, 3, or 5W RGB LED (either integrated or discrete) on each side. |
| − | ** LED PCBs may need heat sinks, which could fit into the middle space around the spindle | + | ** Using RGBW LEDs would add extra driver circuitry, but would mean we could do white for 1/3 the current draw of using RGB LEDs |
| − | * Single MCU this time, as there are fewer LEDs | + | ** Planar PCB that fits onto the spindle, then LED PCBs that plug in vertically seems like it would work |
| − | * Same enclosure as [[Beacon2]] can be used to save time, just remove PCBs and replace with these | + | *** LED PCBs may need heat sinks, which could fit into the middle space around the spindle |
| − | * Same light sensor and (lack of) charging circuitry as [[Beacon2]] can also be used | + | ** Single MCU this time, as there are fewer LEDs |
| − | * Having a remote that would make the beacon extra-noticeable when a button was pressed would be cool | + | ** Same enclosure as [[Beacon2]] can be used to save time, just remove PCBs and replace with these |
| + | ** Same light sensor and (lack of) charging circuitry as [[Beacon2]] can also be used | ||
| + | ** Regulator will be on planar, needs to be 3* whatever LED current we go with for triangle, or 4x for square | ||
| + | *** This allows for one LED on each side, or all LEDs on one side, or any combination of that to be on at one time | ||
| + | *** LDO may be the most efficient given the small in->out difference, need to calculate the efficiency of each option | ||
| + | * Remote Control Unit | ||
| + | ** Having a remote that would make the beacon extra-noticeable when a button was pressed would be cool | ||
** To get long enough range to be useful, we'd want ~50mW | ** To get long enough range to be useful, we'd want ~50mW | ||
** XBee is probably the best way to go, but need to look at power draw for the RX side and would have to custom-design a remote control unit | ** XBee is probably the best way to go, but need to look at power draw for the RX side and would have to custom-design a remote control unit | ||
| − | ** Control | + | ** Remote Control Unit could just be: |
*** Arduino Fio | *** Arduino Fio | ||
*** XBee Series 1 RP-SMA (plugs directly into Arduino Fio) | *** XBee Series 1 RP-SMA (plugs directly into Arduino Fio) | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 20 July 2011
Beacon3 will be a beacon for the top of our flag(less) pole for Burning Man 2011. It will be simpler than Beacon2 as time is limited to get it done, but we want a brighter beacon.
Ideas
- Beacon Unit
- Less LEDs, but much much brighter. Thinking either a triangle or square with a 1, 3, or 5W RGB LED (either integrated or discrete) on each side.
- Using RGBW LEDs would add extra driver circuitry, but would mean we could do white for 1/3 the current draw of using RGB LEDs
- Planar PCB that fits onto the spindle, then LED PCBs that plug in vertically seems like it would work
- LED PCBs may need heat sinks, which could fit into the middle space around the spindle
- Single MCU this time, as there are fewer LEDs
- Same enclosure as Beacon2 can be used to save time, just remove PCBs and replace with these
- Same light sensor and (lack of) charging circuitry as Beacon2 can also be used
- Regulator will be on planar, needs to be 3* whatever LED current we go with for triangle, or 4x for square
- This allows for one LED on each side, or all LEDs on one side, or any combination of that to be on at one time
- LDO may be the most efficient given the small in->out difference, need to calculate the efficiency of each option
- Remote Control Unit
- Having a remote that would make the beacon extra-noticeable when a button was pressed would be cool
- To get long enough range to be useful, we'd want ~50mW
- XBee is probably the best way to go, but need to look at power draw for the RX side and would have to custom-design a remote control unit
- Remote Control Unit could just be:
- Arduino Fio
- XBee Series 1 RP-SMA (plugs directly into Arduino Fio)
- Rubber-duck antenna
- LiIon pack (plugs directly into Arduino Fio)
Project Status
2011-07-19: Initial design started.
