CompuTracker Corporation
 Accounting for your every move
GPS data collectors & Real Time asset tracking by Cellular & Satellite

GPS dataloggers, GPS data collectors & asset tracking. All your business needs for tax and resource saving. Used with Office tools such as Excel & Lotus 1-2-3

DevKit – the wireless developer’s toolkit

During the course of product development for our products we needed our own development tools. Sound familiar?

As developer of one of the first applications of cellular wireless data, we were early on the scene and needed our own development platform with rapid code development, debugging and testing.

What’s our secret? Use a very low cost V25 based microcontroller with plenty of I/O, EEPROM memory and a BASIC compiler. We originally used the Microsoft QuickBASIC DOS compiler, but when this became unavailable & unsupported we switched to PowerBasic which is packaged within the DevKit.

What the Toolkit provides and does not provide

 

Provides:

(i)                 Single Development board which integrates a microprocessor core and facilities for GPS receiver, wireless module and digital I/O. Includes cabling and power supply conditioning.

(ii)               Manual for development

(iii)             Compiler tools for code development

(iv)              Access to MIN allocation

(v)                Access to back-end facilities from Day One.

(vi)              Up to 125 hours of development support.

(vii)            Core routines to drive an Aeris / CMM-8600 application.

 

Does not Provide:

(i)                 Unlimited telephone support time

(ii)               Any additional hardware

(iii)             Any engineering changes from original design requirement

(iv)              Production data feed

(v)                Housing for project

 

FAQ

 

What about source and object code. Who’s property is it?

 

Code remains the property of the customer, unless alternative ownership or licensing is negotiated during development.

 

What happens if an application treads on ground occupied by CT?

 

Customer must make full disclosure at the beginning of development. CT will reject any such conflicts of interest. However, Aeris may purchase and supply devkit NB kits to other companies as it sees fit. Under certain circumstances development support may be available on an hourly basis.

 

What about multiple applications for the same client?

 

Separate support contracts will be negotiated for development work on further projects which use the devkit MB platform. These will effectively be on a consultancy type basis.

 

What’s the development process?

 

All code can be written on a PC, compiled and downloaded to the target processor(s). There is a rapid development time for changes.

 

Program Flow

 

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Contents of Toolkit:

 

Ring Binders containing documentation including:

 

Development roadmap

            Contacts

            Board layout and options

            Assembly instructions

            Hardware recommendations, including accessories & antennae

            Hardware integration using Development board design

            Development, demo, beta and Production models

            Installation of Software, recommended platforms

            Testing compilers

            Downloading code to target processor and testing

            Debugging facilities

            Support and help features

            Writing code

            Data formats for data payload sent over Microburst system

            Handling MIN allocation

            SID table maintenance for mobile applications

            Developer responsibilities with Aeris

            Web site support features

 

Devkit MB circuit board, populated and tested (inc. CMM8600). Simple cellular antenna.

 

Cable 9-pin D to 9-pin D to PC (6’)

 

Hardware and Software Options:

 

(i) PIC controller for Dallas Real-time Clock control and power management.

            PIC BASIC Pro Compiler and PIC programmer

 

(ii) GPS receiver (Ashtech G8 OEM Module) with GPS antenna.

 

Devkit MB development board specifications

 

640kB Flash RAM

10MHz 8x86 family controller

Two serial ports

Three parallel ports

GPS receiver footprint for Ashtech G8 receiver

CMM-8600 footprint

Built-in ROM OS and upload / download software

Populatable position for PIC power management controller

RTC support

40V input, AC or DC, either polarity

Switched mode power supply with control input (5VDC, 1A)

On board power switch for GPS receiver and CMM-8600 module.

5V at 100mA for Core processor. Additional for GPS and CMM-8600.

<1mA sleeping (with PIC option).

Appendix A

Pricing Options:

Devkit MB, board, CMM-8600, manuals, cable                                        $9,000

Additional development project (estimate)                                                $5,000

PBP Compiler and Programmer, PIC microprocessors                          $400

GPS Receiver and Antenna                                                                        $150

 

Additional Devkit MB boards (populated, tested, without CMM-8600, GPS or PIC)

                                                                                                                        $140