Project Files
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Ambient Dashboard
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Ambient Devices builds products that display useful
frequently-updated information such as the weather, stock
market performance and sports scores in ways that are
intuitive and easy to use. Ambient Devices products gather
data from the pager network, allowing them to operate at
extremely low power and without having to be connected to a
computer network.
The Ambient Dashboard uses three VU meter-like displays to
show the status of a wide variety of information. Its three
slots are configurable by putting in any of 30 clear plastic
FaceCards that ship with the product. Each FaceCard has
eight small cutouts that are read by the Dashboard to set
what information should be displayed.
The Ambient Dashboard runs for months off two standard
AA-batteries. An optional power supply allows the system to
operate off of AC power.
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System Overview
Bolton Engineering worked with Ambient Devices to
integrate the mechanical and industrial design. The
switches to read the FaceCard were implemented with
small beryllium spring contacts that were inserted and
soldered as a group before a small sacrificial bar was
broken off. The product was implemented for low-cost Far
East assembly using very low-cost discrete devices
rather than more expensive integrated ICs.
- Anti-reversal input protection circuit protects
against improper battery insertion.
- Three full-bridge stepper motor drives, constructed
out of low-cost discrete MOSFETs and LVTTL logic
- Includes Console serial debug port, for system debug
and manufacturing test.
- Incorporates interface to standard pager module.
- Designed for extremely low standby current.
Project Scope
Bolton Engineering designed the schematics and circuit
board, wrote driver software, worked with Ambient and a
design firm to define the physical requirements,
fabricated and debugged the hardware. Ambient Devices
was responsible for the application and communication
firmware. The project was completed in under ten weeks,
on schedule for a company demonstration. The first-pass
boards performed all required functions and required
only minor design changes. |
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Consumer and Computer
