Lab 1:

Objectives:

• Introduction to the Q4000
• Begin working through Quake Programmer Guide
• Complete Hello World modification
• Add group email to Orbcomm system
• Send a message via satellite and verify in group inbox

Process:

We began to work towards the given objectives by reading the related sections in the Q4000 programmer guide. At the same time we installed and set up the software we would require for this project. The team then compiled and ran the DemoAppGSM provided by Orbcomm. Once we were certain that we had a live connection to the Q4000 and could load applications successfully, we began work on modifying the C code to add “Hello World!” to the display terminal. We identified a part of the code that was already writing to the display terminal and added a printf function to make the modification.

The team then began to understand what each of the functions in APL.c, the provided code, accomplished. We then tried to narrow down our search to the function responsible for sending emails and what part of the code needed to be commented to bypass GSM/GPS routines.

Challenges:

When modifying the DemoAppGSM, it took longer than expected for the team to get accustomed the new programming interface in IAR. Once we understood which files were compiling and where they were being compiled to, we were able to successfully complete the Hello World modification.

A small degree of trial and error was required to discern which pieces of demo code should be commented out in order to send a message via satellite. By the end of the first lab, our group was able to consistently receive text files in our email account containing a 7 character message.

 

Lab 2:

Objectives:

• Continue working through the Quake Programmer Guide
• Run the DemoAppADC
• Build a circuit to send voltages to the Q4000
• Modify DemoAppADC to read from the circuit

Process:

The team worked in pairs to design the circuit required to feed voltages to the Q4000 and at the same time to work on streamlining the e-mailing process from Lab1. Once the circuit was deemed operational, we ran DemoAppADC to read the voltage values on the display terminal. We had to change the proportionality constant to improve the correlation between the values on the display terminal and the actual voltages being input. The next step was to send these values via email. We used snippets of code from DemoAppGSM, edited in Lab1, and combined it with DemoAppADC to achieve this.

Challenges:

When running the original DemoAppADC, there was initially some confusion configuring the COMM ports which communicated with the Q4000. After the settings were properly adjusted, the demo ran correctly.

There were a number of issues with the serial port communication hardware. When loading the programs onto the Q4000, the transfer would fail halfway through and we would have to repeat the process. Switching to a USB connection seemed to fix the issue for the remainder of the lab.

 

Acquired Skills:

After completing this first week of labs, the team gained important insight and practice with the equipment we will be using for the remainder of the project. By running and modifying a few of the DemoApps in IAR, we learned critical steps to troubleshoot the Q4000, which will undoubtedly be useful when testing our own code on the machine. The labs have also given us an understanding of what professional code looks like and how best to write function prototypes so that the code is readable by a third party.

Project Progress:

Although specific project requirements have not been released yet, we expect our group’s completion of the demo tasks will be useful for the final product. In particular, we have learned to successfully send ourselves an email via orbcomm which includes a subject line, voltage read from the Q4000, and text of our choice.