Maker Pro
Maker Pro

My little project.

D

Daniel Pitts

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm new to the whole Electronics scene, and was hoping to find a good
place to start.

I already have an idea for a project, but I think it'll be a little
complicated for a first project. I'm thinking of making a modded
computer case, which has an two dimensional array of LEDs on one side
(or wrapped around the top and on both sides) which can be controlled
by a microcontroller that is programmed by the computer its on.

I can do the programming no problem, its the hardware I'm not sure
about. I don't even know where to get the hardware.

I'm thinking that for an interface to the LEDs, I'll need a timer chip
(for 50x50 leds with 8 levels of intensity, I'll need about 3MHz),
three counters (two going 0 to 49, and one going 0-7)
On the other side of things, I think I'll need some RAM (not sure what
type, but it needs to store the intensity values of the leds, and be
updated at least 30 times a second, with the possibility of multiple
read/writes for the whole "screen") some flash (for the software that
creates the LED designs) and, of course, the CPU. Something fast enough
to handle updating the memory with moderate math capabilities.
Floating point is a bonus, but most things I want to do can use
precalculated integer tables if necessary (increasing the memory
requirement, not a big deal though)
Oh, and a way to easily program the flash (via USB or Rs232 maybe?)
from the master computer.

I'm not opposed to getting a SoC solution of some sort that allows me
to install Linux, or NetBSD, or something like that, but I don't really
need something that sophisticated, and would like to keep the price
down if possible.

I'm also just looking to create this for myself, not planing on
reselling or mass producing them :)

I wouldn't even mind paying someone to help me out, but I don't have a
large amount of spare cash.

Any idea's where I can start? Is this even the right group? :)
Thanks for reading,
Daniel.
 
D

Deefoo

Jan 1, 1970
0
Daniel Pitts said:
I'm new to the whole Electronics scene, and was hoping to find a good
place to start.

I already have an idea for a project, but I think it'll be a little
complicated for a first project. I'm thinking of making a modded
computer case, which has an two dimensional array of LEDs on one side
(or wrapped around the top and on both sides) which can be controlled
by a microcontroller that is programmed by the computer its on.

I can do the programming no problem, its the hardware I'm not sure
about. I don't even know where to get the hardware.

I'm thinking that for an interface to the LEDs, I'll need a timer chip
(for 50x50 leds with 8 levels of intensity, I'll need about 3MHz),
three counters (two going 0 to 49, and one going 0-7)
On the other side of things, I think I'll need some RAM (not sure what
type, but it needs to store the intensity values of the leds, and be
updated at least 30 times a second, with the possibility of multiple
read/writes for the whole "screen") some flash (for the software that
creates the LED designs) and, of course, the CPU. Something fast enough
to handle updating the memory with moderate math capabilities.
Floating point is a bonus, but most things I want to do can use
precalculated integer tables if necessary (increasing the memory
requirement, not a big deal though)
Oh, and a way to easily program the flash (via USB or Rs232 maybe?)
from the master computer.

I'm not opposed to getting a SoC solution of some sort that allows me
to install Linux, or NetBSD, or something like that, but I don't really
need something that sophisticated, and would like to keep the price
down if possible.

I'm also just looking to create this for myself, not planing on
reselling or mass producing them :)

I wouldn't even mind paying someone to help me out, but I don't have a
large amount of spare cash.

Any idea's where I can start? Is this even the right group? :)
Thanks for reading,
Daniel.

A possible way to go: get yourself a (commercial) USB microcontroller board
with memory and some spare I/O (Google around a bit). Then add row and
column drivers and use PWM or something to modulate the LED intensities. The
processor is going to do all the display driving work. Start with a display
of 1x1, when that works well add more.

--DF
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
So, giving them good data is better than estranging them with
confusion?

Well, yeah, when they're as polite and clueful as this "Daniel Pitts"
seems to be.

But, please note - I suggested a different newsgrouup for the really
basic "where do I start" question, and the thing that put me over the
top with gushing is that Daniel Pitts actually came back here, and
_thanked_ me for providing such a simple answer. ;-D

From my recent experiences with googlegroups posters, this is exemplary,
and should be encouraged. < what's the "I'm an official netcop, and I'm
serious here" smiley? >

And the fellow (I ass-u-me that "Daniel" is a fellow) has already figured
out how to quote context right, which is amazing to see from a
googlegroups poster.

Cheers!
Rich
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
Rich said:
Well, yeah, when they're as polite and clueful as this "Daniel Pitts"
seems to be.

But, please note - I suggested a different newsgrouup for the really
basic "where do I start" question, and the thing that put me over the
top with gushing is that Daniel Pitts actually came back here, and
_thanked_ me for providing such a simple answer. ;-D

I agree with you. It is unusual - and a shame that it happens
too infrequently. There have been some great solutions posted to
various questions - some including design work, schematics, links
etc - where the effort to try to help the OP is obvious. And there
are posters who consistently provide those good answers.

At a minimum, it would be nice if those good answer providers
didn't have to work into a vacuum. Maybe if the OPs would at
least grunt in acknowledgement, to show they saw the post...

Ed
 
P

PeteS

Jan 1, 1970
0
ehsjr said:
I agree with you. It is unusual - and a shame that it happens
too infrequently. There have been some great solutions posted to
various questions - some including design work, schematics, links
etc - where the effort to try to help the OP is obvious. And there
are posters who consistently provide those good answers.
At a minimum, it would be nice if those good answer providers
didn't have to work into a vacuum.
Maybe if the OPs would at
least grunt in acknowledgement, to show they saw the post...
That would be nice :)

Cheers

PeteS
 
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