olopede

Kit Updates











The past two months have been filled with revisions, revisions, and more revisions!

We did a second run of prototypes three weeks ago - bringing oloduino v2, turing machine v2, siggen v2, and the uPOV to the real world. Major changes made can be found in the repositories on github, but some noticeable modifications include sweet ground planes, mitered traces, and silkscreens all around.

OLODUINO

  • Is now easier to break apart! We've added drills that provide a nice, perforated edge to break on while maintaining structural integrity for those of you that don't want your projects to fall apart.
  • We made oloduino smaller and easier to assemble, reducing overall cost and assembly time.
  • Fixed the memory space problem on USBER (oloduino's programmer module).
  • Added a 6-pin ISP header to USBER so that you can use USBER for both ISP and a USB-serial bridge.

TURING MACHINE

  • Turing Tape is complete!
  • The machine now has twice as many 7-segment displays as it did before!
  • We added a rotary encoder in place of the potentiometer to make it easy to navigate long tapes.
  • Developed interface code and sample FSM's (finite state machines).
  • We're thinking about adding the option of optical programming (no cables). This means you'll hold your turing machine up to the monitor and a programming area will flash, an optical sensor on turing machine will pick up the flashes, and store the equivalent code in program memory.

FUNGEN

  • Modified VCO to use BJT current sinks to decrease cost and increase bandwidth.
  • Has seven outputs, including:
    • Square/PWM
    • Saw/Ramp
    • Triangle/Variable Slope Triangle
    • Sine
  • Added selection between single or dual power supply.

AMPLIFLIER

  • We decided a pre-amp would be needed for signal-level amplification, and we'll provide an optional 20KHz filter if you're interested in using this for audio applications
  • We're going with a Class-D totem pole for the power amplifier. This topology gives you the freedom of a variable supply for your output stage (motor, solenoid, speakers, buck converter, etc.) and should be able to provide at least 30 Watts of pure power.

MICROPOV

We've finalized the design for this tiny guy, and are planning to ship them soon! Our last batch of prototypes had one error - we connected the battery backwards! So, we're going to order a whole new batch this week, and hopefully we'll get to ship them to you by the end of the month!

We don't have and image gallery yet, so I'm going to post lots of pictures later today! (after we whip up an image gallery app.)

Stay tuned!

Zach » Monday November 8th

Prototypes and New Designs

So much for once a week... Don't worry though, I'll fill you in!

The first batch of prototypes landed on our doorstep right on time. Our eyes couldn't wait to see what was within that brown cardboard packaging, so with our excited hands we brought the boards over to MITERS for some cutting, fluxing, and stuffing! For the past few weeks we've been doing a lot of testing, debugging, scoping, re-tracing, and re-thinking. Version II of the prototypes are coming soon, but here's what we've gotten though so far:

Zach's been playing with the oloduino, turing machine, and turing tape. He's already revamped oloduino with some cutting-edge routing and some quick but essential fixes to the power supply and programmer modules. Turing tape has been tested and is ready for production, but zach's still playing with the turing machine. He just can't get enough of the toy, adding code daily and seriously thinking about adding another seven-segment display.

I've been discovering the huge space that is signal generator design. From VCO's to waveshapers, I'm taking every reasonable topology I learn about into consideration. For now I've decided on using a single supply for simplicity's sake. Although, I plan on making an adjustable split supply in the future, so I'm breaking out the supply traces for external use. Siggen will come stock with a VCO that currently can handle 10Hz - 20KHz, but I'm working as hard as I can to push the bandwidth as high as possible without poking a hole in your wallet. Ampliflier amplifies, but needs some serious cost/benefit analysis, mostly on the power amp side of things. Amplifier will have a signal amp/preamp that should be able to handle most of your signal amplification needs (even above 40KHz), and a class D audio amplifier for some real power.

Anyhow, a second batch of prototypes is in the works and we're really looking forward to giving you your kits! Also - we've got a bunch of photos from the first prototype photo shoot that will be posted shortly!

Josh » Saturday August 21st

Github and ProToes

Although it's been far too long since we last updated, the good news is we're on a super-crazy track for august, so we promise to update at least once a week from here on out!

So what's new?!

GITHUB

We finally got our github repository set up! For now, since we promised to let you backers out there watch us dev., we 'hid' the repository under a seekrit name. If you're a backer, you've received a message from us via kickstarter on the details. In the future we'll be releasing all of our finished boards on a public repo, but we're continuing to develop on our private repo.

BOARDS

Our boards are on their way home! We sent out our first run of prototypes early last week and they're finally coming back. According to the UPS tracker they should arrive at our steps on Tuesday, so stay tuned! We'll post pictures and a write up on how the prototyping/debugging goes, plus we'll take some data and give you the low-down on our kits' technical specs!

DOCUMENTATION

Zach's been working his end-segment off developing our very own documentation platform. At the moment it's marginally useable, but we should be able to start writing pretty soon. Keep your eyes peeled for a new 'docs' section!

KICKSTARTER REWARDS

If you haven't done so already, please fill out our rewards form (link was sent out to all KS backers) so we know where to ship your rewards! We're planning on fulfilling all of the rewards by the beginning of September, so if you want your kit, lessons, stickers, or thank your note then let us know where you are soon!

Cool, that's all there is for now. If you've got any questions, feel free to contact us.

Josh » Friday July 30th
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