I have seen Sockets and boards you can use to adapt the SM to a DIP no clue where to get one though.

I like the signal board ideal also.

Is this only going to work with the 2nd gen cas? or could a wheel and sensor be used also?

 

It will be for the 2nd gen CAS, at least at first. You will also be able to do leading only using the 1st gen dizzy and a 2nd gen leading. It could be coded later to make the trigger wheel general. That way you could adapt your own setup. The 2nd gen CAS is nice because it just drops right in without any fabrication. Making it work with other types of CAS would come after everything is tested, software developed, and all that.

I want to start simple (TT style operation only). Then add CAS, trailing support, software interface, etc. Right now I am figuring out the hardware requirements to add all the features we need. I can run unused I/O pins to the connector as well as leaving some open spots on the board to add a daughterboard if ever needed. Some of the extra inputs could be used for knock sensors or for an air temperature sensor (retard timing with increased manifold temperatures in turbo applications for instance).

It will be a pretty big project, but should be fun. I am sure that I could use some help testing the design once I get a prototype put together. If you guys have any other ideas of what you would like to see for this setup, please let me know.

Kent

 

What are you going to code it in?

 

Either Assembly or C. Probably assembly to get some practice with it an learn it better.

 

Yuck,

Push and Pop.


You might try one called small C if it can still be found, It does not have all of the librarys like C and C++

 

I would be more than happy to pay for a drop in unit that will handle the CAS operation. As far as modifying the board that I already have, well I don't really have the time for that. Anyway, I'd be happy to pay the extra for something that will just plug in and go. Thanks for all the hard work you've done on this project Kent.

 

Thanks, Hades. I don't think the assembly will be too bad. I haven't really played with assembly much, but it won't take too much code to do the basic operations needed. These type of microcontrollers are usually programed with assembly or C. The datasheet for the chip is like 350pages listing all the commands, memory maps, and all that stuff and some example code in assembly and C.

Ken: I think it will be a good setup. It will be totally different than the current TT, so you can't really upgrade you board to this. What I want on the new board is to have TT style operation (trigger from J-109, fire 2nd gen leading) or CAS operation (leading/trailing). The TT style will come first since it is easier. The TT style will limit the pulse to fix the heating issue. Perhaps I will just use a fixed charge time or have the chip calculate the time based on RPM. Once it looks good, I will add the CAS stuff. I am making the board to support everything, so it doesn't need to be designed each time. We could make changes with just the code or jumper wires to add extra input/outputs.

I may need to get the upgraded version of the circuit board layout program. I can fit nearly everything right now, but I don't have room for the MAP sensor. Perhaps I can shift things around a bit more to make room. If not, I will upgrade the software to do larger boards.

 

What is the cost of the SW?

 

Now that I look at it, it is probably too expensive. They have the freeware version that I am using, but you are limited to 100mm x 80mm. If you want to go bigger, the prices go way up. For 160mm x 100mm, you have to pay $200 for the layout editor, another $200 if you want the schematic editor, and another $200 if you want the autorouter. The full version is $400 per each module. I will have to make it fit or use a different program. Perhaps I can bottom mount the MAP sensor to make room. That is what they did on the megasquirt ECU.

 

i would be more than happy with paying extra for a CAS setup off the bat also! i know that your work your *** off on this, thank you

 

Okay. Good to know. I guess we will go the single board route for now if possible. I have the day off work, so I will try to finish a rough layout of the circuit and post it up. I also have to assemble a couple TT units today. I will see if I have the time to finish the layout. If not today, sometime this weekend. I am sure I will tweak the design a bit more once I do a prototype or if we come up with some other features. Would you boosted guys be interested in water/meth injection control? If I can make room on the board, it shouldn't be too bad to add the hardware to do this.

Anyway, give me a "wish list" of the things that you guys want and I will try to work them into the design. Most features would come in steps, but I would like to incorporate the hardware portion into the design from the beginning.

 

All I would be looking for is a 2nd gen cas and 4 coils, Real simple and small.

 

Yup, my wishlist is also very small. Keepin' it simple and straightforward.

2nd Gen CAS to 2nd Gen Leading and Trailing coils.

If the ignition advance can mimic stock, good enough for me.

Jon

 

The main hardware and everything is basically the same regardless (power supply, microcontroller, ICs for the CAS, etc.). I think it is important to have the serial port so you guys can update the software (even if you are not wanting to change the adavnce MAP). I think having the ability to change the map is important, especially for boosted guys. The nice thing about this is that the boosted guys wouldn't need to use a locked dizzy. Locked dizzys provide safety, but the timing at idle, cruise, etc. is less than ideal.

I can load a curve the will match the stock setup. What i can do to make the install cleaner is:

- have the main input connector (say 15 pin) with all the wires coming out (short) grouped together with individual connectors (connector for CAS, group for power/ground, etc.). This way, you only have wires running for what you are actually using. This would aslo let you add later if you want.

What I want to accomplish is to have a setup that is simple for people who want basic operation only (leading only, CAS with leading/trailing), but also have the ability to have the extra features needed that others need/want (rev limter, boost retard, knock sensor, etc.). The microcontroller has a ton of input/outputs and several built in ADCs. Many of the extra features only require an extra connection to the microcontroller and some code. Really there is very little extra hardware needed to add these features so the addition of these features wouldn't really make the board any larger or more expensive.

Keep the input coming. It is all helpful.

Kent

 

Ah, well can it have an output that provides ignition info to my flux capacitor?

And what if I wanted an FC-FC (Second gen flux capacitor)?

Jon

 

Here is a very rough board layout. I am still trying to find the ideal controller. I would like to get automotive rated (at least in terms of temperature), but still in a format that would be easiest to work with. I am waiting to figure this part out before adding the rest of the connections and the MAP sensor. The controllers that I have found that are automotive spec are super tiny and could not really be soldered by hand. The upper right-hand portion of the board is for serial port communication. That way it would be possible to upload your own ignition advance curves. I will continue to work on it and see what I can come up with. If anyone has any other ideas/requests, please let me know.

Kent

 

Even your preliminary work amazes me

Jon

 

Hold crap, my brain just exploded!

 

Wow! That looks good! Even though I know crap jack about what is going inside there. But is very inpressive that you can do stuff like that. =)

 

I admire your hard effort and striving to be low cost. If I were going this in depth with making a rotary geared ignition computer, the only thing that would fuel my fire is how much I would mark it up to make up for my head exploding. You're not like that--THANK YOU!

BTW--some ideas of what to call this magic box..

RPM--Rotary Power Module (I know..ppl would get confused)
RIM--Rotary Ignition Module

 

Or how about

RIP: Rotary Ignition Power

lol

 

These short abreviations suck.

2gisffga - 2nd gen ignition system for first gen applications
gsafcis - GSL-Se Addicts freekin cool ignition system

Good stuff there. You guys know it.

 

LOL

+1 for GSAFCIS

 

Funny stuff, guys. Yes, it still needs a name of some kind. I haven't came up with a good name yet. Keep the ideas coming. The design still needs lots of work, but I can do more once I choose the controller. It is the heart of the system, so it is hard to do much until it is figured out.

Nate: Yes, for me it isn't about making a big profit. It is a learning experience for me and it helps to get new/improved stuff for our cars.