THE PARTICLE COMPUTER DOCU
                    (Particle Computer - the wireless core)                   

 (version 2/1x)   

The particle computer is the heart of all the components in the system. It is designed to be a light weight, small, low power and mobile platform to develop applications and interfaces for ubiquitous, pervasive, ambient, wearable, sensor network,…. Computing. It is equipped with a 125 kBit Rf module, the TR1001. It carries an external 32K EEPROM controlled over I2C/ 512 K Flash controlled over SPI (AT45DB04B). It is based on the PIC 18f6720 Microprocessor from Microchip. The PIC carries 128k of ROM, 4k of RAM and included various modules like 2 hardware UARTS, Analog/Digital Conversion, SSP, PWM and lots more.

The RF Communication is based on AwareCon, the wireless ad hoc protocol for the particle computer. The particle computer can be powered through the 2pin MOLEX connector with voltages from 0.8 to 2.5 Volt. It can also be powered through the 21 Particle connector (type CONAN) with a 3.3V regulated supply. The pins on the CONAN connector represent a freely programmable interface to the particle including I2C lines, Digital I/O, analog I/O and any other busses that can be implemented in software. Detailed information how the pins on the Processor on the Particle Board are used are listed below.

The device is freely programmable. The developer section provides software as operating system and low power, high efficient network stack that simplyifies development but the Particle board is not restricted to this functionality.

Feature Summary

• RF Communication through RFM TR1001, 125kbit bandwidth, 868.35 ISM band, encoding adopted to application / low power consumption, OOK, slotted TDMA/CS&CA, strict sync, RF power: <1mW
• Outgoing fieldstrength / sending range regulation via software, High Precision detection of incoming fieldstrength (RSSI) for detection of transmission problems or position estimation algorithms (V2/2x). Range: Inhouse up to 30 meters (depending on the environment conditions AND antenna form)
• Processor: PIC 18F6720 at 20 MHz (10ppm), Internal Memory: 128kbyte program Flash, 4kbyte RAM, 1kbyte EEPROM
  
• External Memory: Version 2/1x: 32 kbyte EEPROM, Version 2/2x: 512 kbyte Flash (AT45DB04B)
• Interface: 21 pin multi purpose Particle connector with I2C, SPI, serial, parallel Bus, Analog input lines, Interrupt input lines, Digital I/O lines
• two low power LEDs
• Version 2/2x: 1 Speaker
• Version 2/2x: Unique ID and internal configuration EEPROM Chip DS2431
• Movement Sensor connected to interrupt for wake-up-on-movement Power-Down modes
• Real Time Clock (RTC)
• power regulation for power in from 0.9 to 3.3 V; batterie types: e.g. AAA, lithium coin, 2xAAA, AA, rechargables ....
• remaining energy measurement
• in circuit programming and debugging with off-the-shelf programmers, over-the-air programming via wireless radio from any Internet connected PC (XBridge or USBBridge needed)
• Programmable in C, OS and Libararies here
• Board core voltage: 3.3V
• Size 33x17mm without ball switch & battery (V2/1x), about 33x17x15 with lithium coin cell (without ball switch), 45x27 mm with ball switch & AAA battery
• In circuit rechargable with off-the-shelf rechargable units (if rechargable battery is used)
• Schematic Overview , Board outline in Eagle Library

Optional on board (spare place, not soldered)

• one analog sensor (e.g. pressure, light)
• Version 2/1x: one speaker output
• Version 2/1x 8 kByte FRAM (as replacement for EEPROM)

Usage of Pins of the Processor