Hello Derek
I think Linux would be a great choice for your project.
You could boot the Linux OS for the Solar car from a flash memory device.
Reference the Linux Router Project images for ideas for building a lean and
mean version of Linux.
http://www.linuxrouter.org
You can use your favorite web search engines to search for "embedded" AND
"linux" for more ideas.
A simple approach would be to use AFSK modulation for the data com link.
You can build this with some phase-locked-loop chips.
An alternative would be a SLIP or PPP link across a 2400-9600 baud modem
connection.
For the radios you need something very light weight.
The Motorola Family Radio units would work nicely for the link if a 2 mile
range is OK.
http://www.mot.com/LMPS/RPG/NA/portables/talkabout/index.html
An alternative would be use of the credit card 2 meter transceivers from
Alinco.
http://www.alinco.com/usa.html
You host the Linux OS on a PC104 type single board computer for the Solar
car end of things.
Steve
KE7RR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Derek Quinn Wyatt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 1999 8:33 PM
Subject: radio data transfer
> Hi,
>
> I have some basic questions. I've been using Linux for about 5 years
> now simply because it works great. Now i've signed on as a volunteer
> to help build the next Solar Car for the University of Toronto. I'm
> in the telemtry system and am looking for the data communications
> hardware.
>
> I'd like to do it in linux but i don't know the first thing about what
> kind of hardware is available for linux, or what i really need here.
>
> Basically there needs to be two systems (obviously), one in the solar
> car, and one in a chase vehicle. I really only need to send about 128
> bits every few minutes from the solar car to the chase vehicle. The
> car has a cool little microcontroller in it which will be processing
> the internal sensor data. Somehow i've got to shove that data out
> into the air for the chase vehicle to grab. The chase vehicle should
> be running linux (if the gods smile upon me) and will grab the data
> and muck with it.
>
> Basically i'm completely in the dark about what to do with the
> hardware side of things. What is there available that i can use?
> There won't be a person with a Ham license so it's got to be able to
> run on non-ham bands.
>
> I know this is pretty vague, and loosely defined. Sorry, but that's
> where i am right now. Any thoughts anyone has would be great.
>
> Cheers,
> Derek
>
> --
> Derek Quinn Wyatt | [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Research Computing Geek | Office: (416) 978-6452 Office
> University of Toronto | Fax: (416) 978-8221 Fax
> Physics Department | Cell: (416) 676-9847 (emergencies only)
>
