tlog_june06

Added BLDC schematic to "rc_drive" module on the repository, putting together test video of BLDC control with scematic screenshots

Learned about IDC and RJ-12 connectors, Great Webinars

Put together PICDEM, to control, tried manual control but the motor would not start moving, checked user's guide for troubleshooting, going through serial API as well, put together BLDC wikiTrac documentation

Found great CadSoft's Eagle Libraries , these had the dsPICF30F3010 and Microcontroller pinouts for 18F2431 (used 18F2455), Also found useful library hints from Scott Torborg, I'll try to post the layout and schematic screenshots in the upcoming "media" section

Mouser Order arrived, went through and sized up parts for connectors and dimension for the board layout. Still need to find a few basic parts, such as SMD resistors, 5Mhz Oscillator, and SMD switchs/capacitors.

Put together an order on mouser for the Molex connector and a variety of parts for the upcoming PCB design. Mouser has a really good cross reference system, however I could not locate a 5 Mhz oscillator for banananas ! I'm going to dig through a few datasheets looking for something useful

The maxon EC flat motor has come in, but I don't have the proper molex connector to wire the motor to the PICDEM board. Put out the final revision in the Design Review,

Received the PICDEM LV MC kit, unfortunately I was not able to hook a surplus NIDEC motor I borrowed from Professor Valvano. I send an email to NIDEC about finding more specifications on the motor wiring, sadly the details of that specific motor are only avaiilable to the company for which the motor was made,

Finalized talks about microcontroller and sensors for the BLDC. Microchip's availability and low cost pervailed over Freescale and Atmel. However all three of the companies had a very solid BLDC evaluation kit, the documentation and lead-time was the biggest factor in my decision.

Located a few great candidates for a brushless motor, Kollmorgen and Maxon. Found a few secondary selections from Pittman, Faulhaber and Xnergy but the lead time was somewhat long, for complete details of my technical adventures, look through the upcoming design review ,

Put together an ESC for a brushless motor for a small helicopter, the motor worked amazingly well except for low speeds in which the back EMF sensing failed due to lack of magnetic field,

Put together finished touches on proposal review for initial design plans Started lining up documentation and reading guidelines for project and other potential projects, found great Senior Design reference,