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| The
Goal: |
- To create an alternative for the costly
navigation/in car entertainment systems.
- Unit will provide a touch screen interface to all
aspects of systems control.
- functions including but not limited to: MP3 Music
collection of size limited only by HD space, GPS
navigation, movie playback capability, retro style game
play via wireless Joystick( think NES, Genesis,
ATARI...), to provide real-time engine analysis of
onboard sensors using OBDII interface (fuel/air
mixtures, current speed, Black box recording?).
- final unit shall reside in factory location of head
unit. and be completely self contained and user
upgradeable, similar to a desktop, just allot smaller.
- possibly have the ability to relocate computer to
another location of the vehicle in case of space
limitations, and have a retractable/motorized screen
appear on command from factory location.
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| The
Vehicle: 2002 Mazda Protégé |
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2002 Mazda ES will be the test bed. |
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|
Proof of concept |
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| This system is temporary, as more
smaller parts become available complete integration
into a single double din unit size shall be
achieved. |
The amplifier resides underneath the
passenger seat, not too sure if integration of amp
into the final unit would be wise, heating and EMF
noise would possibly become to much of an issue. |
As of right now the best place too place the
computer components was in the glove box, the
computer used is a micro ITX motherboard operating
at 1 GHZ, plenty fast for this application. final
product motherboard will be even smaller yet.
already down to 6.5 x 6.5 inches |
| Current Hardware List |
Epia M 1MHz microITX motherboard
256 DDR ram
12 GB Laptop HD
Lilliput Touchscreen monitor
Earthmate USB GPS antenna
OPUS Solutions Power dc-dc power supply
Memorex wireless keyboard/mouse(only for debugging)
Clarion 400 watt 4 channel amplifier
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| Current Software List |
Windows XP professional
Roadrunner (opensource media player)
IGuidence (GPS software- fully integrated into Roadrunner)
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|
Project Update |
| Software interface is coming along slowly while I am
attending school, will pick back up on it again next year,
when I have more time. for the time being am using a
community software package used to cover GPS and music
playback, not all functions are supported that I would like
to implement but it will get the job done until I finish my
own work. |
|
Project Update |
| Desktop hard drives don't like the cold, and they
apparently don't like getting bumped around from driving,
data corruption after about 3 months- completely inadequate.
switched to a laptop hard drive, only a 12 gig, but already
system performance is much better, noise is down to a
silent-whisper, plus can handle bumps in excess of 100 G's,
I pray my car will not have to experience such G force,
chances are I would not even survive that one. |
|
Project Update |
| Touch screen failed after about 8 months, became
completely out of calibration- again completely inadequate.
at further inspection after disassembly coating around the
edges of touch panel where corroded . ordered new
panel-replaced works well again, possible cause - Armor-all(from overspray)
or heat from the summer. will look for other alternative
touch panel displays that have a wider range of operating
temperatures. |
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