Producing Morse Code

1
Producing Morse Code

• Pete Sanderson
• Chuck Burchard
• Patrick Bobbie
• Alma College Lego Mindstorms Workshop
• 16 June 2005

2
Overview

• Characters typed at PC keyboard are sounded in
  Morse code by the RCX.
• Java or NQC programming language
• Can be tailored to 3 levels
• CS 2
• Operating Systems
• Net-Centric Computing
• Configuration PC and RCX, no sensors or motors
  at minimum

3
Problem Statements

• CS 2 Level
• Operating Systems Level
• Net-Centric Level

4
CS 2 Level Problem Statement

• PC prompts user for one line message
• PC stores message in string
• PC transmits string to RCX
• RCX displays each character one at a time while
  simultaneously sounding the equivalent Morse
  code.
• Optionally RCX signals completion to PC for next
  message.

5
OS Level Problem Statement

• Extends CS 2 Level
• Focus on Producer(PC)-Consumer (RCX)
• Bounded buffer on RCX. Experiment with buffering
  strategies, e.g. transmitting each character as
  typed versus full buffer
• Develop basic synchronization mechanism

6
Net-Centric Problem Statement

• Builds on OS Level
• PC-RCX synchronization protocols to allow
  real-time communication
• Explore using the Morse as a mechanism to control
  other RCXs that are equipped with
  sound-sensor-based devices (e.g., or RCXs or
  Motes - which use the RF-based protocols rather
  than the constraining IR protocols )
• Explore using other display devices, e.g., PDAs,
  to receive resultant Morse codes (sound notes)
  for conversion and display