Team Suspect
Presents:
Aspen
Mieszko Kruger
Garrett Earnshaw
Yoni Mekuria
Joe Chmura
Welcome to Aspen
Aspen’s Purpose

To dynamically control a network of
peripheral devices, a network that controls as
well as senses.
 Why “Aspen”?
Baseline Objectives
Design and implement a core module that can
control a network of devices (Aspen).
 Control the network through the use of a PC interface.
 Control peripheral devices with a Controller Area
Network (CAN).
 Accepting a wide range of nodes (e.g. inferred, power,
other network protocols, etc.)
 Dynamic network accepting hot-pluggable nodes.
General Description

Aspen Core will
connect to a
computer via RS232.

Aspen Core will
control network of
“Leaves” via CAN
General Description (cont.)

Each Leaf will handle
interface between the
CAN and its
specialized function.
PC – Core Module Interface
 Friendly GUI with status and control of all Leaves.
 Customized ASCII protocol through RS232.
 Call and Response Handshake.
 Character parsing on both ends.
Core Module – Node Interface
 Tolerant CAN line with error checking for very noisy
environments.
 Dynamic hot-pluggable nodes.
 Node check-in every 3 minutes for live node availability.
General Node Design
 Half node design will be
universal to interface with the
standard network
 The interface will consist of
retrieving data from the CAN
chip and using this data to
perform a controlling or sensing
activity
 Custom developed protocol
for wide range of nodes.
Division of Labor
Tasks
Power (core and leaves)
Coldfire
User Interface
Communication w/ Leaves (Core & PC)
CAN Programming
Documentation
Node Design
Cabeling
Team Member in Charge
Yoni, Joe
Mieszko
Mieszko
Garrett, Mieszko, Joe
Joe, Garrett
Garrett
Yoni, Joe
Yoni
Schedule
Risks and Contingencies
 Getting
the Coldfire to function properly.
 Getting necessary licenses for software
needed.
 Learning CAN technology.
 Powering the individual leaves.
 Demon Magic (i.e. bad luck).
Contingency Plans
 Redesign
processor from the ground up
using FPGA.
 Use other technologies like I²C instead of
CAN for Leaves.
 Use individual power sources for each
leave.
 Tap Dance and accumulate good karma.
I 2C
Questions