Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 05:16:29 -0500 (EST) From: Neil McNeight To: hack-embedded@ssc.com Subject: My Submission for the MZ-104 Contest * What is the working title for your project? Napravlyeniye (it's Russian for 'direction') * What need or desire will your embedded Linux project satisfy? My design will integrate a GPS receiver and magnetic compass, as well as a simple LCD and keypad interface to provide a basic navigation unit. When combined with astronomical or satellite tracking software, it can be a powerful field utility for determining the best position for a telescope or antenna. This unit will be able to perform a number of functions, from performing as the core of a moving map display to providing instant tracking information for satellites and constellations. * What are your qualifications for carrying out an embedded Linux project, including programming and hardware experience? You may include URLs of related work, either hobby or professional. 2 years ago, I worked on a research project here at the University of Michigan developing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). My specific job was to interface the GPS and ground station link (both using RS-232) to the PC-104 flight computer running QNX (a POSIX-compliant RTOS). I have also been a Linux user since 1995, and am familiar with using the GNU toolchain (emacs, gcc, gdb, rcs, etc.) for programming projects. * What additional hardware are you considering using? (you are not required to use it in your final project) A Trimble SVeeSix-CM3 GPS receiver, a Precision Navigation magnetic compass, an LCD screen (size undetermined) and either a keyboard or a keypad interface. * What software do you plan to develop? What tools and libraries do you plan to use? I hope to reuse existing GPS interface code, LCD output code, astronomical/satellite tracking code and various output formats (Meade telescopes, antenna positioning motors, NMEA 0183, etc.) combined into a flexible and user configurable package. I am hoping to program the system in C using the GNU toolchain. * Do you plan to use an embedded Linux distribution? If so, which one? I believe that the MZ104 systems are to include BlueCat Linux, and I don't see any problems with using that distribution. * What sources of information and support will you consult while carrying out your project? Primarily, Google will serve as my library. Virtually all of the information I need is available online. As I discover tidbits that I can't live without, I will link them directly to my web site. Please include your contact information: 1. Your full name as you would like it to appear in Linux Journal Neil McNeight 2. Your shipping address and phone number(confidential) (elided) 3. What to link your name to on the web site if you are a finalist http://www.mcneight.org/Projects/ ---------------------------------------------------+------------------- "There is more to life than increasing its speed." | Neil McNeight -Mahatma Gandhi | mcneight@umich.edu ---------------------------------------------------+-------------------