J. Tyson 2004-2007. Last updated 01-01-07.
| f.a.q. |
Find something and burn it
| Pronounced "FACK" in case you've ever wondered. |
| Do the trees moving make the wind blow? Does cheese freeze? And just where the hell is that clitoris thingy anyway? Email Savant Jimbo. |
"Your site sucks." (Disgruntled girlfriend R.P. via email)
Yes, thank you, I know. However, that's not a question. Say, how's that starfish doin'? Still sting a bit?
"So what are you building?" (Various)
If someone asks me this again I'm going to fucking stab them. So once and for all: I'm building a robot.
An automaton. A long term project where I intend to convert a formal postal delivery truck into a big geek
toy that can drive itself around hopefully without running over shit.
An automaton. A long term project where I intend to convert a formal postal delivery truck into a big geek
toy that can drive itself around hopefully without running over shit.
"Um, Why?" (G.K.)
Because it's a challenge, because I like to tinker with shit, and because I believe it will open doors for me
in the future.
in the future.
"Do you really know how to build stuff like that?" (D. The blonde waitress)
No. Allow me to explain. The truck's systems and sub assemblies (electronic and mechanical) fall into
one of five basic categories;
1 - Assemblies that I could build tonight. Straightforward cakewalk circuits utilizing components long
committed to memory from years of practical hands on use and requiring minimal if any "paper
engineering". As the intended individual circuit function is already defined in the overall project, the final
layout, design, and component choices become almost immediately clear. Few if any revisions are
made, and most will be built and installed in their final enclosures without being tested for design validity.
The majority of the power, engine, and chassis control fall into this category.
2 - Assemblies that I could build next Monday. Still very straightforward, but using unfamiliar components
or circuit configurations that will require a greater degree of planning and debugging on paper before
assembly. Most will be tested on a breadboard and passive component revisions or reworking are likely
although the final circuits are expected to closely match the initial drawings. Examples are the analog
accelerometer systems, terrain feedback, and overall system (ECU and CCU) data interface.
3 - Buggered assemblies. Modifying or hacking an existing device for my purposes so I don't have to
reinvent the wheel. My forte actually. Examples are hacking laser rangefinder circuits to find a point that
outputs a signal proportional to distance. Appropriate interface circuits are then designed around the
type of signal discovered. Those circuits will then fall mostly into the above category.
4 - Assemblies that I can build and hope they work. Scary theoretical devices that look good on paper
and should be easy enough to build but simply may not work at all as intended. If they don't then major
rethinking may be required. The majority of my optics designs rest uneasily in this category.
5 - Assemblies that I can build - but with the mother of all asterisks... Specifically the major computer
hardware that will control the show. The construction is deceptively simple. Each system computer is an
off the shelf Micron MF3400 Pentium III server with only two modifications: The power supplies will be
modified to operate from the truck's 48 Volts DC supply, and each will utilize a single buffered and
latched PCI card to send and receive commands to and from the rest or the world and to each other.
That I can build. The asterisk from hell is the fact that I don't have the first clue how to program them
once I do. I've been out of the programming loop for two decades. So in this final sense, no. I don't know
how to build an autonomous vehicle right now. This project rests solely on the hope that I have enough
brains left to master an appropriate language by the time the hardware has been completed.
one of five basic categories;
1 - Assemblies that I could build tonight. Straightforward cakewalk circuits utilizing components long
committed to memory from years of practical hands on use and requiring minimal if any "paper
engineering". As the intended individual circuit function is already defined in the overall project, the final
layout, design, and component choices become almost immediately clear. Few if any revisions are
made, and most will be built and installed in their final enclosures without being tested for design validity.
The majority of the power, engine, and chassis control fall into this category.
2 - Assemblies that I could build next Monday. Still very straightforward, but using unfamiliar components
or circuit configurations that will require a greater degree of planning and debugging on paper before
assembly. Most will be tested on a breadboard and passive component revisions or reworking are likely
although the final circuits are expected to closely match the initial drawings. Examples are the analog
accelerometer systems, terrain feedback, and overall system (ECU and CCU) data interface.
3 - Buggered assemblies. Modifying or hacking an existing device for my purposes so I don't have to
reinvent the wheel. My forte actually. Examples are hacking laser rangefinder circuits to find a point that
outputs a signal proportional to distance. Appropriate interface circuits are then designed around the
type of signal discovered. Those circuits will then fall mostly into the above category.
4 - Assemblies that I can build and hope they work. Scary theoretical devices that look good on paper
and should be easy enough to build but simply may not work at all as intended. If they don't then major
rethinking may be required. The majority of my optics designs rest uneasily in this category.
5 - Assemblies that I can build - but with the mother of all asterisks... Specifically the major computer
hardware that will control the show. The construction is deceptively simple. Each system computer is an
off the shelf Micron MF3400 Pentium III server with only two modifications: The power supplies will be
modified to operate from the truck's 48 Volts DC supply, and each will utilize a single buffered and
latched PCI card to send and receive commands to and from the rest or the world and to each other.
That I can build. The asterisk from hell is the fact that I don't have the first clue how to program them
once I do. I've been out of the programming loop for two decades. So in this final sense, no. I don't know
how to build an autonomous vehicle right now. This project rests solely on the hope that I have enough
brains left to master an appropriate language by the time the hardware has been completed.
"So where is that clitoris then, smart guy?" (Anonymous)
Typically it's located under a small anodized aluminum plate just above the blend door cable to the right
of the defrost blower motor. It requires a 7/16 socket or wrench to access - 10mm for Japanese and
Euro models. Do I get a cookie or something?
of the defrost blower motor. It requires a 7/16 socket or wrench to access - 10mm for Japanese and
Euro models. Do I get a cookie or something?
"What's with that little green alien?" (C.J. Via email)
The alien head is actually the top of a dollar store novelty pen which I still have. I was messing around
with a flatbed scanner one day about 4 years ago, scanning 3-D objects to see how they'd look and I
ended up adopting "him" as my avatar for the electronics forum because nothing else came to mind
when I registered. Since then he's just kind of ended up being an e-signature of sorts. I'll probably get
around to naming him and adding him to my email signatures one day.
with a flatbed scanner one day about 4 years ago, scanning 3-D objects to see how they'd look and I
ended up adopting "him" as my avatar for the electronics forum because nothing else came to mind
when I registered. Since then he's just kind of ended up being an e-signature of sorts. I'll probably get
around to naming him and adding him to my email signatures one day.
"Have you ever been in love?" (Lisa Via email)
Yes. Five times. One was human. Three are dead.
