Quoting Robert Rolf : > Josh Koffman wrote: > > > > Olin Lathrop wrote: > > > I don't understand what one has to do with the other, and why an 802.11 > > > interface precludes USB connectivity via a USB to serial chip. > > > > My read on that was that he's expected to use a consumer USB to 802.11 > > adapter, made for use on a home computer or laptop. That might preclude > > the USB to serial chip as I'm not sure there are any that act as USB > > hosts. I could be wrong though. If I'm right, I don't envy him at all. seems my first email didn't get through, unfortunately yet, I have uncovered *more* information about this > Unfortunately Josh, that is exactly what my boss expects. The people > involved the classic boss-that-doesn't-know-shit problem > see all these cheap WI-FI USB dongles that hang off USB ports, and figure > that > is should be "relatively simple" to make it work with the current PIC > hardware. In other words, the want me to put a USB port on the unit so > they can plug in an 802.11 dongle. 'It's USB, right? It should just -work-' no, and here are more info each USB dongle needs a different driver in a PC, (see the source for the linux kernel), the Atmel-based stuff even needs to have firmware to be uploaded to it. > I know better, but this is a collaboration with another large group, > and they have a lot of newly degreed engineers (as well as some older ones, > long since removed from hands-on design) who know all about the 'lastest > stuff'. > But since I don't have a degree, my experience/knowledge/skill means squat. ah, I see what kind of company that is... been there, done that > The FTDI chips will certainly make basic hardwired USB comms easy. The > target > user will have a laptop, and probably won't have a real RS232 port today. > It's the TCP/IP stack and Wi-Fi handshaking that will be the killer if > I can't convince them it as bad an I idea as we all know it is. notably, the personal privacy issues this raises are staggering see below > I'm going to take the tact that if they think it is so easy to implement, > let them do it. I'll supply all relevant tech doc, and let them have at it. > Hopefully they'll believe me once they have to get their hands a bit dirty > coding. And 802.11 is way overkill just to get a wireless link. I'm hoping > to find something from Radiometrix, RFM or the like, but nothing I've seen > so > far can touch the price of a 802.11b USB dongle. Of course they also neglect > to note > that the dongle has to be attached to a $2000 laptop to be able to work, and > that > you also need a wireless router too. there are some Aurel 433 Mhz component the size of a quarter or so that do it for less than 50 USD. that should do it. however, there is more to this issue : > The problem is simple. RF wireless @ 19.2kbs full duplex to 150' and dirt > cheap, > with the remote side the size of a silver dollar (3cm or so although > something the size of an eraser could be made to work as a 'clip on'). > IR is not allowed because of line of sight and distance issues. > My unit is only the size of half a deck of cards, running on a AA cell > boosted > to 3.3V, although 7.2V -may- become available in one variation. > So of course that tiny USB dongle is the 'perfect' solution... one issue you'll have once you have added the wireless stuff is that the battery will be drained *much* faster... > There must be something COTS out there, I just haven't dug deep enough yet. > I'm thinking maybe wireless keyboard or mice if the intrinsic data > rate is high enough. > > Thanks again for all the helpful ideas and feedback. > Especially Olin. there are more things against 802.11 (or any radio links in that matter). first, 802.11 is very easy to completely obbliterate with a couple of 2.4 Ghz wireless phones then you have the problem of the dude sitting in the parking lot outside with a laptop and listening in to whatever occurs in your device, potentially mucking with it's data. so you need encryption, SSL ain't gonna be cheap by any means on a pic (don't even think it's doable) and you'll probably get a nice FDA shoot-down for this, as it would allow medical data to be aired for anyone to learn about... the only thing I'd see is transform your device into an compact-flash form-factor attachment for a wifi-enabled PDA (sharp zaurus comes to mind) that would do the data communication stuff, effectively raising the price of the stuff by 500 USD or so. now, the (star-trek fan) doc would prolly be positively impressed by the "tricorder"-looking contraption... but this ain't gonna fly financially... > Let's put this thread to bed, and I'll let you know what I ultimately > end up with. Probably looking for a new job. I think this is your best bet. Explain the above reasons in full length in your resignation letter > Robert Amaury ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu