Monday, February 23, 2009

MSP430 Application Compiler

Now, I'm not talking about compiling C code. Microchip and Atmel might already have this. Not sure about TI.

Here's the idea. You get the user to describe his application in words and you use a parser to tell him what components he needs to put his system together. Of course, you're encouraged to stick to a certain syntax and limited vocabulary. For example.

Pressure sensor interfaced to MSP430, connected wirelessly to PC through USB.

Now, the parser can tell him he can just use the EZ430-RF200 demo kit, suggest some I2C based pressure sensors, etc. Childishly simple.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

PDK Development for Nanotech Circuits

If you're interested in PDK development but in a different, revolutionary domain, not CMOS, you might consider contacting Dr. Eric Vogel of UTD and offering to do some work for him. He develops nano-tech components - transistors, etc, but at small dimensions. There, the circuit designer has the job of characterizing and modeling the devices. You can offer to develop a PDK for him that will make the circuit designer's job very easy and make the design process very modular.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Senior Safety

Don't waste the economic stimulus dollars on healthcare.

Apply for a grant from Small Business Innovation Research www.sbir.gov. The non-profit www.score.org will help you write a business plan or proposal.

Basic idea is this :

Extend on the RF2500 demo kit based on the MSP430. This kit has a target board powered by batteries. the host board is connected to a PC through USB. The demo target board has only a temp sensor. When the demo app is run on the PC, it shows the temperatures on the target and the host boards. The target board needs to be within 50 meters of the host.

Application :

Save healthcare costs by preventing injuries from falls. Target market is fall-prone individuals - mostly elderly

Concept :

Have multiple target boards that interface to accelerometers that report an event to the host when the acceleration exceeds a certain value. These can be located on the person of the user. The host processor can decide if a fall is happening. The user will also be tracked by a couple of robots in a Roomba-like form- factor, which are programmed to stay within a prescribed distance from the user. One will be in front and the other behind. These units contain air-bags that can be deployed in a suitable way to prevent injury in the event of a fall. If the host processor detects a fall condition, it can deploy the airbags to prevent an injury.

The idea is basically simple, but it would require a fair bit of programming and system partitioning for practicality.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Innocence by Association

We've heard the more familar phrase. Here's my predicament:

I want to design in TSMC's processes and market the IP. But, how can they trust small fry like me? Answer, I ally with a big name in my location. Of course, I must foot the bill for development. But, say I go with an outfit like Lockheed Martin, and give them the right to inspect me and take responsibility for me, and tell TSMC that I'm clean, would that work? Has something like this been done before? Interesting. I get to design out of my house, or office, LM gets to check me out and report back to TSMC not to worry, we all make life easier and the world a better place. John Lennon would love it.