National Instruments Confidential1 Proposed Implementation of Arduino LabVIEW Toolkit By Andy Coulson 3/5/2011
National Instruments Confidential2 Introduction Proposal: Mobile, mesh-networked, Christmas light devices sychronized via LabVIEW driving Arduino Stretch goal: synchronized to music via using frequency analysis
National Instruments Confidential3 Agenda Relevant Experience Concept Background and Evolution Proposal Details
National Instruments Confidential4 Experience Legacy of Christmas Light Enthusiasm
National Instruments Confidential5 Concept Evolution 2005 Began with running Trail of Lights fun run Originally a couple strings of incandescent mini lights Pinned to black sweats Powered by a UPS lead-acid battery and inverter (no photographic evidence exists)
National Instruments Confidential6 Concept Evolution 2006 Gradual technical Improvements LED light strings (much improved battery life) More strings Addition of sidekick (name withheld)
National Instruments Confidential7 Concept Evolution 2007
National Instruments Confidential8 Concept Evolution 2008 Cannibalized the controller from a string of sequenced lights 8 simple patterns
National Instruments Confidential9 Concept Evolution 2009 Switched to NiMH (packs of 8 AA’a) Lighter Swappable More power charging options (car charger, can use akalines in a pinch) Dedicated Jumpsuit
National Instruments Confidential10 Concept Evolution 2009 Added Autonomous Cape
National Instruments Confidential11 Concept Evolution 2009
National Instruments Confidential12 Concept Evolution 2010 Added Light Staffs (Staves?)
National Instruments Confidential13 Proposal Details Mesh-networked, Synchronized via LabVIEW driving Arduino connected to Xbee (Zigbee ) modules Conceptual Schematic
National Instruments Confidential14 Proposal Details LabVIEW, running on a laptop, will be connected to Arduino Will control Arduino Digital Out pins 4 pins will drive locally-connected 4-channel Triac board Remaining pins will be connected to Xbee module (master node) Xbee will configured in “virtual wiring” mode – pins values are passed transparently to slave nodes Multiple remote Xbees 4 channels for Sidekick’s light suit 2 channels for Autonomous Cape 2 channels shared by staffs
National Instruments Confidential15 Proposal Details
National Instruments Confidential16 Proposal Details Stretch Goal: Synchronized to Christmas Music Utilize LabVIEW Sound and Vibration toolkit Associate Arduino pins with distinct frequency ranges from music input Bluetooth speakers embedded in one staff could provide audible music
National Instruments Confidential17 Conclusion My depth and breadth of experience results in high probability of success Demonstrates applicability of LabVIEW in growing field of Christmas Light automation Engages whole new audience of potential future engineers (1-8 year olds) Enhances Christmas Cheer