[simpits-tech] EPIC or ???

[fitchett]

Hey guys,

The LED displays are still very early in their life cycle.  That's why I'm
sticking with one display per Phidget.  Later, it may make sense to come
up
with a design that can control several displays, but I would like to
figure out what these displays are going to be before putting in a whole
bunch of R&D.

The first version of PhidgetLED is an 8-digit, 7 segment display, 0.56"
digits.  This will be initially priced at $25 US.  The software will
attempt to display alpha, but there is only so much you can do with seven
segments.  This displays may be available by the end of the week.

Also in the works are an 8-digit, alphanumeric display, 0.4" digits.
Pricing will be about the same.  The software interface is identical.

The newest device in prototype is an 8 or 12 digit dot matrix led display,
0.2" digits.  These are a little more expensive. ??

Chris referred to a 8*8 led driver.  This will be used to drive up to 64
leds.  You can set up a scanning matrix, or run 2 wires to each led.  I'm
undecided whether to make this a 64 output InterfaceKit or a PhidgetLED.
Just a software issue.  This is also fairly cheap; $20-$25 US.

Chester


> Steve,
>
> Your right, each display is 8 x 7seg units, the cool thing is they will
> display both alpha and numeric, of course the alpha is a little coarse
> for some letters.
> My code currently displays "C1 118.45" for Com1, and "N1 121.40" for Nav
> etc.
> The price is not yet confirmed by Chester, and so I don't want to
> speculate on what the pricing will be. I think they they will be cheap,
> especially when compared with doing it the EPIC way, which while very
> flexible would be much more expensive, not to mention complex for those
> not into code cutting. As an option, Chester is working on a 8x8
> display, from a single connection. Details of this are so far in
> prototype and I have not got one to play with yet, but this would mean
> you could do ALL the work you want in a single connection, and some
> rather simple code.
> Hell, my code could easily drive a display like this, its very simple.
>
> I also have a Phidget rotary encoder, a single encoder per connection.
> The encoder has a push button on the shaft, and so in my application I
> rotate the shaft to change the man frequency, and push and rotate the
> shaft to change the minor frequency adjustment. Again the code is very
> simple, but you'll need a few to make your radio's work. Again the price
> of these is not yet sret, but Im sure they will be very cheap each,
> since there is very little on them.
>
> The other option that is being worked on down here, is by Stuart
> Wheelan, his solution is serially driven, and does a hell of a lot more
> from a single package. Pricing for those of you in the North hemisphere
> will be incredibly cheap since the New Zealand dollar is worth so little
> up there. Stu can post more details if hes around, its his baby not
> mine.
>
> Anyway, I'll see if Chester has some confirmed pricing on the display
> and encoder, and let you all know.
> I'll also get the digital camera out and record some video of it in
> action soon.
>
> Cheers
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org
> [mailto:simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org] On Behalf Of LT1_Z28
> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 1:21 PM
> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] EPIC or ???
>
>
> Chris Brace wrote:
> >
> > Have a look at www.phidgets.com
> > Im working on using these for a C172 panel.
> > They are very easy to use, and programming is quite simple. Im working
>
> > the radios right now, using 8x7seg displays.
>
> >From the looks of the info on the website it looks easy enough to
> program it, but it's a little vague on 2 things: how many displays each
> Phidget can handle and how much they cost. I assume that it's one
> Phidget per display (as in 1 for Nav 1, 1 for Com 1, one for the
> transponder, etc., which means I need 8 of 'em). What do the things
> cost?
> --
> Steve
> lt1_z28@swbell.net http://www.mysticz28.org/
> Jesus saves, Budda enlightens, Cthulhu thinks you'll make a nice
> sandwich. _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page.  Thanks!
>
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.  Thanks!
>