Tags / Manlab

Getting Random

Searching for and finding randomess

Published on June 18, 2020   internet of things · computer science

Getting real randomness in computers is quite hard. Most randomness is pseudo-random using some algorithm to create predictable but random looking output. In the early days these could be simple linear-feedback shift register approaches such as those used in early 8-bit computer sound chips like the Texas Instruments SN76489 that I used on the Memotech MTX. Nowadays we use more complex approaches but without some real randomness they are still predictable. [Read More]

Extreme Aquarium Automation

Exposé on home-made, handmade, aquarium automation setup

Published on September 20, 2018   internet of things · sensors · polestar

This post describes my current aquarium setup, in particular, the technical, custom designed parts of it. There is a lot of monitoring and control going on; though virtually all of it is hidden behind the scenes, as my aim has always to create a natural looking environment. An aquarium is an eco-system, some aspects of it can stay in natural balance with maintenance, and other parts require active control. Things are more complicated with plants - I recently have become more serious about growing plants. [Read More]

Energenie Integration with Python on a Raspberry Pi

Using pyenergenie to do Energenie automation with out need for the cloud

Published on September 18, 2018   internet of things · sensors

It is disappointing what IoT hardware manufacturers provide regarding software with their products. I don’t want to single out Energenie - at least they created a tremendous hackable radio board specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The ENER314-RT provides two-way communication with all Energenie products including all their power switches, energy monitors and radiator valves. This means that you don’t need to buy an Energenie Gateway MIHO001, and you also don’t need cloud connectivity and the worry that somebody might be snooping on your data. [Read More]

My Experience Building an Alexa Skill

Headline: it is actually pretty easy

Published on January 14, 2018   internet of things · artificial intelligence

Back in November I attended a talk on creating your own Amazon Alexa Skill at Bristech. It’s been something I’ve wanted to play with for a while, so when Amazon had their Black Friday sale I couldn’t resist. I was pleasantly surprised by Amazon’s own tutorial using Lambda: Alexa Python Tutorial - Build a voice experience in 5 minutes or less. It really was quite simple and quick. Amazon have worked hard to make it easy for you to get a custom skill up and running on real hardware. [Read More]

Quadcopter Down

...and I thought software was hard

Published on December 29, 2017   internet of things · drone

I spent a good few months working on and off on the drone. Almost every day I’d get a nice little package in the post from China with a component or such like in it. Unfortunately, the last few things I received still sit unused. After I’d solved the basic architecture of the drone system in as far as how to get easily updatable algorithms both on board and on the ground, things got harder. [Read More]

Beginnings of a Programmable Drone

The struggle to put code in the loop airside and ground side of an autonomous drone

Published on April 23, 2017   internet of things · drone · artificial intelligence

I think it was the final episode in season 3 of Black Mirror that motivated me to start thinking about building a drone again. That episode - Hated in the Nation - involved swarms of autonomous drones deployed across the UK to replace recently deceased bee colonies. In this work of fiction the drones wreak havoc. However the connecting of computation and AI to real moving entities in our world really intrigued me. [Read More]

Building a Pi Zero Photo Frame

a self contained photo frame connecting to an RSS feed

Published on January 25, 2017   internet of things · graphics

This project builds a self-contained photo frame using a Raspberry Pi Zero and an old monitor. (Old monitors are better as the 4:3 ratio suits a mix of vertical and horizontal oriented photos better than a 16:9 ratio.) Figure 1: Finished Frame on wall Hardware Parts List Raspberry Pi Zero with micro SD containing Raspbian Power supply for Pi (see below) USB WIFI dongle VGA computer monitor VESA wall mount Custom made photo frame to fit monitor HDMI to VGA adaptor I had a photo frame made by a framing shop with the inner dimensions of the monitor. [Read More]

Radar Speed Camera Rebooted

building a radar speed gun with a Raspberry Pi

Published on December 28, 2016   internet of things · sensors

Background This post is a follow-up from my previous post Building Radar Speed Camera and Traffic Logger with more information, improved design and experience from using the device in the field for nearly 2 years. This project is a self contained speed radar that can be used to give realtime traffic speeds, log traffic flows and statistics over a period of time and also possibly capture speeds of other objects in sporting environments, for example, though I haven’t specifically tested and tuned the code for this. [Read More]

Power Regulator repair on Photon

How to bypass and replace power regulator on Particle Photon

Published on December 21, 2016   internet of things

I accidentally shorted the 3.3v pin in the Particle Photon with ground. Within a second a puff of smoke rose from the circuit board and the photon no longer worked - when I connected power nothing happened, no LEDs lit and no boot. After a little looking around I discovered that the problem was likely the regulator which lowers the USB input voltage VIN down to 3.3V which all arduino like platforms use. [Read More]

Home Dashboard

Published on July 15, 2016   internet of things

Background There is something immensely satisfying about having something to hold which has been hand crafted. Working with code most of the time it’s rare to get an outcome that is tactile. This project recreates a Hive-like user interface experience with a few readily available components. These components connect easily to a micro-controller such as the Particle Photon. Figure2: Hive smart thermostat Figure1: Dashboard Construction Guide Parts List Photon Particle 500mA micro-USB power supply Breadboard 1602A LCD Display with I2C interface rotary encoder module knob for rotary encoder 2x 0. [Read More]

Aquarium Lighting Controller

Published on July 1, 2016   internet of things

Background I’ve had a modest home aquarium for a many years. It has always been lit by a specialist aquarium fluorescent tube. This gave out a nice light which both helped plants to grow and counteracted the excess of green caused by plants an algae. Figure1: Spectrograph of Hagen Aquaglow fluorescent tube There were two problems with this fluorescent lighting solution however. Firstly, it switches on and off instantly which can be quite unnatural and startles the fish. [Read More]

Build a Spectrometer

using a Raspberry Pi for less than $50

Published on June 22, 2016   internet of things · sensors

This project promises to give you super-human powers. I still find it amazing that our eyes construct all the colours for the most part1 from the mix of red, green and blue that the cones in our eyes can detect. Despite this simple three valued approach to colour that pervades our eyes, cameras, monitors and computer graphics there is a deeper reality to colour in everyday life. This projects opens the door on that reality. [Read More]