[Q] Programming a transmitter for Android phone - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys, first of all I'm new at developing android app. I'd be happy and glad to have as many suggestions and advices from all of the amateurs or professionals here.
I'm currently planning to make a simple radio frequency transmitter, the one you usually find inside a car remote, and connect it to any android phone by the 35mm jack and link that to an app that I have to make as well. It's for me to have a control over my household appliances that requires radio frequency to be controlled.
What I'm asking is that how do the app link to the hardware. I'm familiar with programming language, but I think to connect it to a hardware is the challenge. How should I write a code that sends signal to that particular hardware I made ?
I know it's more to the hardware side to be concerned, but how do you guys think?

Related

Tv remote control

*update, the conclusion is that the current software is useless and as of the ppc6800 and the following HTC models, the IRDA port is either crap or non-existent, for that reason I am building a powered, universal adapter to turn any phone into a remote*
hello. first off, yes I know there are old threads about this, but they are dead and had a different take on this topic. I am looking to know if anyone has gotten any tv remote control software working on the mogul. I don't care about the distance so I dont want to hear about how the mogul is ill-equipped to do this, I just want to know what software works as I will use\make a IR repeater\booster that will give me all the range I need.
I have tried the following software
1-PDAWin tv remote controller simply crashes when I press any button
2- noviiRemote is not compatible with our IR
3- RemoteControl II v.2.12 stays it is incompatible with our processor and for that reason, it turns off the IR access... but the rest of the software works ??? odd
4- UniversalRemoteCE 4.0 Tested by wagonis, froze his phone with every try
5- Total Remote does not work, freezes when I try to record a signal.
Untested
6- UltraMote
can't find
7- VITO remote
so to recap. Has anyone found a working software? I will give a free IR booster\repeater to anyone who can point me to a proper and working programmable universal remote control software that works over IR and not the web (or even better, anyone who can get PDAWin tv remote working )
thanks.
Honestly, I've tried 4 different softwares from that list and none worked, if anything they kept crashing my phone...so I gave up before I caused any damage to my phone. If you figure out which one works though, please list it, I'd like to know and try it.
can I know which was teh 4th that did not work so I can update my list please?
UniversalRemoteCE 4.0 froze up my phone every time I tried to use it
Many have tried. I am pretty sure no one has succeeded.
in my best Airplane - The Movie voice
"good luck, we're all counting on you"
my best suggestion is to buy an older known compatible phone with stronger irda
i looked into it a bit ago and came up with a good solution and found two of the phones on ebay for $20...but never bought them
i know it would be convenient to use our daily cell for this feature...but its an uphill battle
dont give up...lol
double post
Since the whole software thing does not seem to work... I am going to set out on making my own! My goal is to make a universal-universal remote app; even cross-platform, and the way I will do this is with external hardware. Since most new phones do not have a good IR port, I will make an external IR port that plugs into phones, mark my words!
I will keep people up to date on this
I'll subscribe to this thread to keep tabs on this. Good luck.
Well I am very excited to say that things are moving along nicely. Unfortunately, my local electronics supply shop (that is actually worth going to) is closed during weekends since its a small business who's main clients are engineering students during the year . This means that My full prototype (with range booster) will have to wait, but the basic premise is working, and, depending on my schedule, I should have a working prototype soon. I have already gotten in contact with a few chinese companies to compare the price of production of the modules.
well, the project is coming along well, but I need some input from the community. 1 is a note, 2 is the important question.
1- the software will be open source. The exact format still has to be determined, but the main lead right now is java so that i can be universal for all phones (except the Iphone that will need its own app).
2- Should it be powered or not? The module is coming along well, but I need some input. If it is powered, I have to make the tough decision between having the ext-usb plug sticking out on the edge of the board, meaning you have a 9v battery dangling from your phone or a short cable (1-2 feet) that plugs in the ext-usb port and the module rests next to you. What is the best route for this? (Ideally I would love bluetooth, but I do not have the electronic know-how for this)
julienrl said:
well, the project is coming along well, but I need some input from the community. 1 is a note, 2 is the important question.
1- the software will be open source. The exact format still has to be determined, but the main lead right now is java so that i can be universal for all phones (except the Iphone that will need its own app).
2- Should it be powered or not? The module is coming along well, but I need some input. If it is powered, I have to make the tough decision between having the ext-usb plug sticking out on the edge of the board, meaning you have a 9v battery dangling from your phone or a short cable (1-2 feet) that plugs in the ext-usb port and the module rests next to you. What is the best route for this? (Ideally I would love bluetooth, but I do not have the electronic know-how for this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not make all? Powered and not. Corded and not. Are you encasing the electronics? If just for the Mogul how 'bout a phone case type add on putting the IR port on the right end of the phone while you're at it so we don't have to rotate our screens? That being said, with the Mogul getting dated, how 'bout for newer phones lacking IR ports all together like the touch pro and touch pro 2? Oh, maybe someone could help you out with bluetooth.
Well its not just for the mogul, it is going to work universally for all HTC phones and will be one little tweak away from working with other phones.
As far as corded or not, I think I will make it non corded and then you can just add it. It will cost a few cents extra but save alot on production costs of 2 different modules (if I go with powered, unpowered can easily be both).
The reason I am not doing powered and unpowered is that the powered requires a case and a battery and starts getting a little big (the size of half a thumb approximately), while the unpowered one is about 0.5mmx0.5mm. Also, making the powered one requires a much greater production cost as it would be made in china because if I make it myself, the powered one would be about 4 inches by 2 inches as I can't make the small traces myself, many of the parts are hard to come by and suftace mount is hard to do.
The reason that none of the programs work is because they require raw IR port access, not the IRDA protocol.
dj13241 said:
The reason that none of the programs work is because they require raw IR port access, not the IRDA protocol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats ok, this is a hardware\software combination so the IR will work.
I think I love you man. I've been looking for this since before I got my Mogul in my hands.
Manicmoguladdict said:
I think I love you man. I've been looking for this since before I got my Mogul in my hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol I hear ya. Everything is being delayed because the store I usually go to was selling IR LEDs for 4 bucks and they don't specify voltage so I had to order some online. I just need to get that stupid LED so that I can be done with the hardware and get working on the software.
I am still waiting on those diodes. I bought molding and casting material so that our IR emitters will look better than a loose set or components soldered on an extusb port
Anyone going to china who can buy ExtUSB ports for 50 cents with the breakout port? I got that quote from a company but I don't like sending unsecured payments and 10$ per extusb port + breakout board is going to make it pretty expensive for us. If so, let me know, I would like to buy a batch.
thanks.
since our device will work on many phones, instead of creating threads in every forum of every device, we decided to opt for a twitter account where we will keep everyone up to date on this project.
Spread the word!
http://twitter.com/wrctweets
Found this thread searching for a Bluetooth to IR converter, so I could use my Rhodium as a universal remote.
I was wondering... since all modern smartphones have Bluetooth, why not make a powered BT -> IR converter, which uses the HID standard? Since most phones have a HID application already (my old SE K750i could be used to control my desktop computer with HID), you don't need a lot of development on the phones itself. You'd need a way to program the conversion table (key 5 -> send PLAY IR sequence), I guess. You could then have a simple HID remote on simple phones or a full blown custom skinnable remote on a WVGA smartphone.
It would really be nice to have a Philips Pronto (or similar) universal remote where you can operate all sorts of equipment.
unfortunately, working with bluetooth at that level would be well beyond my expertise and bring the cost up $$$$$ because of the low volume of production. Also, making the drivers for this would be much harder and way to phone-specific, killing the intent of this device. Also, the way this works, it should work with any standard IR device.
I have a p4000 and am upgrading to a touch pro2, when I upgrade again in 2 years, I don't want to have to start the project over .
Finally, bluetooth device = more components = bulkier and = batteries!
I am getting back home late tonight and I will get back to work on the project (got the LEDs the day I was leaving).
ps. I do appreciate all feedback and comments.
thank you
julienrl said:
unfortunately, working with bluetooth at that level would be well beyond my expertise and bring the cost up $$$$$ because of the low volume of production. Also, making the drivers for this would be much harder and way to phone-specific, killing the intent of this device. Also, the way this works, it should work with any standard IR device.
I have a p4000 and am upgrading to a touch pro2, when I upgrade again in 2 years, I don't want to have to start the project over .
Finally, bluetooth device = more components = bulkier and = batteries!
I am getting back home late tonight and I will get back to work on the project (got the LEDs the day I was leaving).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry for being off topic, but do you know when the touch pro 2 is coming out in Canada ? And who's gonna get it telus, roger, fido or bell ?? (hope this is coming to Telus)
hehe, its out with telus waiting for mine in the mail now!
Inbound Ir
Will your Module accept inbound ir transfer? I am using a polar hr monitor that uses ir to download files to my phone. I've been looking for an upgrade option with ir without success. If your module will work, this is great news. Keep up the good work.

Need Programmers, hackers *htc touch pro cdma*

Hello everyone I am looking for any programmers, hackers that develop a RFID remote program to open my garage door. If you know of any programs that could do that please tell me. I already tried tweaking G-remote but it doesn't work.
The HTC touch Pro does not have an RFID transmitter.
You need an RFID enabled device ( Intermec) and the RFID adapter to communicate with your RFID device. I am curious on one thing, is your garage RFID or Infra Red? there is a huge difference...
If your garage is IR, then most of the handheld phones do not have IR range strong enough to emit to these.
Isn't the HTC touch Pro RFID, and IR compatible so that you can you can use it as a remote like G-remote. Hell you can control anything with g remote why not a garage door, everything is possible right ? and it would be nice that you could open any garage doors if you have the DIP switch codes.?
look everyone if I could I would do this myself but I can't, so money could be involved in exchange for what I am looking for.
thank you,
HTC Raphael not a G-Remote
I have worked with a lot of RFID and IR devices. The simple answer about this phone it is not RFID capable.
Now for IR. the device has an IR port. But it does not have enough wave strengh to broadcast at distances longer than 3 to 5 feet. So in order to do what you want we would need to replace the IR Sensor,Get additional power and write the code to interface with the device and OS. All these mods would void the warranty on the device and make it cost prohibitive, but if you got time and lot's of money it is a cool project.
WinCe soft has created some remote software for TV and DVRs.
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=22506&associateid=17
Also you can take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/campaigns/fastertomarket.aspx?WT.srch=1
and see if someone has a device with the capabilities you are looking for.
well well then I tought I was screwed but since you know alots about RFID & IR maybe you could help me, find another way, and a better understanding. I saw somewhere somekind of old radio that reads RFID and records everything ex. listening to a phone and get the voicemail code through RFID, recording the DIP codes etc. What is that ?
Intermec ?
Here is the link for Intermec RFID readers
This plugs in to their 700 Model ( which also supports bar code and Cell GSRM Band), This connects via IR to the device so we may be able to use the SDK and connect to the Touch Pro.
http://www.onesource.intermec.com/products/rfid2_ip4/index.aspx
Send me a PM and I can get s general idea of what you are trying to acomplish...
ronin said:
Now for IR. the device has an IR port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this is driving me nuts.
Could you please tell me in simple, layman's terms *exactly* where the IR port is located on a CDMA Touch Pro? I can't find anything that looks like a window.
Why not mod the garage door rather than the TP?
ronin said:
I have worked with a lot of RFID and IR devices. The simple answer about this phone it is not RFID capable.
Now for IR. the device has an IR port. But it does not have enough wave strengh to broadcast at distances longer than 3 to 5 feet. So in order to do what you want we would need to replace the IR Sensor,Get additional power and write the code to interface with the device and OS. All these mods would void the warranty on the device and make it cost prohibitive, but if you got time and lot's of money it is a cool project.
WinCe soft has created some remote software for TV and DVRs.
http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=22506&associateid=17
Also you can take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/campaigns/fastertomarket.aspx?WT.srch=1
and see if someone has a device with the capabilities you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe instead of modding the TP, you could find a suitable module to convert your garage door to Bluetooth. Just a thought, but it would save you having to void the warranty on your TP.
mstevens said:
Ok, this is driving me nuts.
Could you please tell me in simple, layman's terms *exactly* where the IR port is located on a CDMA Touch Pro? I can't find anything that looks like a window.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CDMA Touch Pro does not have IR port...

Play Guitar through you phone app for Android?

Hi!
This might sounds silly but do you guys know if anyone is working on something like this for android?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nod69aTzsM
An app that makes your phone to a small guitar amp?
The iphone version has been out for a while but i cant find any info on a version for android..
The company behind iRig have been speaking about a android version but i dont think they even have started working on one yet.
It would be a really nice application! To allways be ready to record without setting up the computor and stuff like that ya know, or to just sit in the sofa with earplugs and play some sweet solos and riffs without having your gf whine about the loud music..
Found this dude trying to make something close. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz-9mxWa2VA
Just checking if anyone knows anything?
Best regards and thx for all the awsomeness!
/Patrik
This would be awesome, I would definitely buy it. It's like a Line 6 pod but much cheaper.
I hope they're working on an android version. Android needs better quality apps.
Also, it's more of a multi-effect pedal than an amp. Just letting you know
I actually sent then a message on youtube to see if they were working on one. This is what I got.
This is the Mac/PC version. If you look at our AmpliTube iRig playlist you'll find the iPhone version. We're currently looking at the platform but do not have any versions for Android.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Yeah, multi-effect pedal.
Imageing all the fine stuff you could do with it!
You could use it as an effect to plug in to your amp. (maby quite alot of effects, if you can make your own sounds. And with new developing you never have to buy a new effect-pedal again.. ).
A strummer for electric guitar in the studio/rehearsal place.
Play with earplugs on the sofa.
and so on...
I'll buy!!
it needs dedicated hardware don't forget (about 10 seconds in on the video)
your phone only has one 3.5mm jack plug...and you need to plug a guitar into it and an amp into it too.
also, what happens if you've got your amp turned up to 11 and then you get a phone call?
d-signet said:
what happens if you've got your amp turned up to 11 and then you get a phone call?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd have to speak through your guitar peter frampton style
These are the components you need...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNFmDetXs7c
These are the components you need. I've successfully plugged my guitar into my nokia and HTC EVO using this method. Now, for some software that does something cool with the input. Let me know how it works for you.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=553
So maby around the end of the year?
Endombed said:
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=553
So maby around the end of the year?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've bookmarked that link
I am amazed that this can be done on the iPhone but not on Android.
There is another program called Ghettoamp on the market, though the devloper admits that there is still latency (he records, then processes the sound input). 20ms I think.
paul c said:
I've bookmarked that link
I am amazed that this can be done on the iPhone but not on Android.
There is another program called Ghettoamp on the market, though the devloper admits that there is still latency (he records, then processes the sound input). 20ms I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why can't it be done for android? This app is really cool.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
It should be possible...
Android phones definitely have the processing power to do this. The only real problem is you're input and outputs on your phone, there's really only one... the 3.5 mm jack...
But there's maybe a way around this. And I'm not an engineer or developer or genius of any kind I'm just saying what I think should be at least possible... Everyone knows AD2P Bluetooth right? You could get you're input through it.
You use the microphone of a bluetooth headset, but instead of the microphone, you get your input from you're amp/guitar/whatever... could it be as simple as soldering a headphone jack to the PCB connections on a bluetooth headset? Dunno but let's asume it's possible.
Then you connect your phone to the headset, and you've got input... Great.
The problem now is that I don't know what android does when it has a bluetooth headset AND a normal set of earphones... Does it play from both, does it by default choose, I don't know... Say you still get output from the headphones, you could easily get the output to any speakers, seems rather pointless to use the phone's loudspeaker... This part from bluetooth input to audio jack output will maybe need a modified audio driver or something...
Once you've got input into the phone and output out of the phone, you would like to have some effects and/or amplification right? That's the point isn't it? I know nothing about programming such things but maybe a few developers who do will stumble onto this thread and share their expertise...
Once again it should be possible, but for just anyone to do this it'll be very challenging, more likely and hopefully companies like Gibson or Marshall or Ibanez (their Japanese, and this seems like a Japanese thing to do) for instance will see the need for something like this, and get working on it... If they make something like that and it works well, it'll make a LOT of money... For instance after you've bought this device, they could SELL effects, to be downloaded on a sort of 'plugin-basis'. And once one company does it, all will have some variant of the concept. I know I'd buy this...
Edit: Read about the apparent latency issue that Android has... So I don't know if it's that possible just yet, maybe ICS has bettered this flaw in previous Android versions, one can only hope...
Sorry for refreshing this thread, but I'm curious if there is such app for android available right now?
pietpodlood said:
Android phones definitely have the processing power to do this. The only real problem is you're input and outputs on your phone, there's really only one... the 3.5 mm jack...
But there's maybe a way around this. And I'm not an engineer or developer or genius of any kind I'm just saying what I think should be at least possible... Everyone knows AD2P Bluetooth right? You could get you're input through it.
You use the microphone of a bluetooth headset, but instead of the microphone, you get your input from you're amp/guitar/whatever... could it be as simple as soldering a headphone jack to the PCB connections on a bluetooth headset? Dunno but let's asume it's possible.
Then you connect your phone to the headset, and you've got input... Great.
The problem now is that I don't know what android does when it has a bluetooth headset AND a normal set of earphones... Does it play from both, does it by default choose, I don't know... Say you still get output from the headphones, you could easily get the output to any speakers, seems rather pointless to use the phone's loudspeaker... This part from bluetooth input to audio jack output will maybe need a modified audio driver or something...
Once you've got input into the phone and output out of the phone, you would like to have some effects and/or amplification right? That's the point isn't it? I know nothing about programming such things but maybe a few developers who do will stumble onto this thread and share their expertise...
Once again it should be possible, but for just anyone to do this it'll be very challenging, more likely and hopefully companies like Gibson or Marshall or Ibanez (their Japanese, and this seems like a Japanese thing to do) for instance will see the need for something like this, and get working on it... If they make something like that and it works well, it'll make a LOT of money... For instance after you've bought this device, they could SELL effects, to be downloaded on a sort of 'plugin-basis'. And once one company does it, all will have some variant of the concept. I know I'd buy this...
Edit: Read about the apparent latency issue that Android has... So I don't know if it's that possible just yet, maybe ICS has bettered this flaw in previous Android versions, one can only hope...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are thinking much too complicated.
The headphone jack of phones contains another pin for the microphone. A small jumper cable can be used that allows the connection of a guitar and headphones. Check out Amplitube iRig for an example.
(this type of jack is used so you can plug in a headset with microphone)
Bluetooth or something would be nice... but the latency wouldn't be, and that is exactly the problem.. Android has too much latency,
Look:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3434
Android is not capable of this because the way it handles audio is completely wrong. More recent devices have less latency but still too much. The problem lies very deep. It is a problem for game developers too. Please star this issue if you want Google to do something about it!
Send with my telegraph
How about USB OTG connected to a Rocksmith USB connection?...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
The Irig will work fine for this you dont need bluetooth aor usb adding yet another layer of BS to the audio streams round trip. however now that JB is out latancy is stitting around 10-12ms on adevice such as the galaxy nexus wich is completely usable (1ms of latancy = 1foot from your amp) so 12ms would be like playing 12 feet from your amp,
If you cant play like this then on stage will never work for you.
As a side note usb audio is apparently supported in JB as well now
There are now a couple of apps on Android that at least have a range of guitar effects. Delay Effects Plus (via headphone type cable) and usbEffects (USB OTG) both have an option to use Native Audio, so if you have the Galaxy Nexus running JB the latency is quite reasonable (50-70 mSec). If you have a modded ROM you may get lower latency without Native Audio option as they both read the buffer size from the OS. Of course for everyone else the latency is still an issue and varies from device to device. So to those that said they would buy .... please do!
This very issue has put me on the fence on what kind of tablet I buy. Cannot decide between note, and Ipad 3. The accessories and ItunesU has been one of the biggest attractions for me.
Litlle heads up: in their latest newsletter IK Multimedia (of Amplitube) post a few job openings, one of them being "Android App Developer"!
So they are at least working on something..
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Do you got new update for futur multi effect on android

[Q] Is there a root available for the Xtrons TD730a Double Din Headunit?

Hi there,
I hope I'm posting this request in the right section.
I have recently bought myself an Xtrons TD730a Double Din Head Unit, I would post a link to it but unfortunately I am unable to as the forum won't let me. You should be able to find the unit in question with the help of google though.
On the whole I've been pretty happy with the device. The main downside I have discovered though is that it appears to be running a rather cut down version of Android 4.1
It is unable to communicate with my Bluetooth OBDII device, which having read through a few of the other threads on here seems to be a common issue with many of the Android Car Headunits.
The other, more annoying issue I've noticed is that when I am streaming music from my home server over 3G, it doesn't seem to support gapless playback when changing to the next track or Audio Chaining or whatever it is known as. I use exactly the same apps and set up on my LG G3 and gapless playback works fine on that.
From what I can gather, the necessary APIs to support Audio Chaining were added in to Android API Level 16 which was introduced around the time of Android 4.1 so this Headunit should support it.
I'm wondering, if the Headunit is running a rather cutdown version of 4.1, is it possible that Audio Chaining support has somehow not been added to it's supported APIs?
Is there a way I can check if this is the case? And if so, can I get them added in somehow? I'm guessing that a good place to start would be if there is a root method available for this device?
I hope it was OK to post these questions here. Please let me know if I should have posted them elsewhere.
Cheers,
Jim
jim1985 said:
Hi there,
I hope I'm posting this request in the right section.
I have recently bought myself an Xtrons TD730a Double Din Head Unit, I would post a link to it but unfortunately I am unable to as the forum won't let me. You should be able to find the unit in question with the help of google though.
On the whole I've been pretty happy with the device. The main downside I have discovered though is that it appears to be running a rather cut down version of Android 4.1
It is unable to communicate with my Bluetooth OBDII device, which having read through a few of the other threads on here seems to be a common issue with many of the Android Car Headunits.
The other, more annoying issue I've noticed is that when I am streaming music from my home server over 3G, it doesn't seem to support gapless playback when changing to the next track or Audio Chaining or whatever it is known as. I use exactly the same apps and set up on my LG G3 and gapless playback works fine on that.
From what I can gather, the necessary APIs to support Audio Chaining were added in to Android API Level 16 which was introduced around the time of Android 4.1 so this Headunit should support it.
I'm wondering, if the Headunit is running a rather cutdown version of 4.1, is it possible that Audio Chaining support has somehow not been added to it's supported APIs?
Is there a way I can check if this is the case? And if so, can I get them added in somehow? I'm guessing that a good place to start would be if there is a root method available for this device?
I hope it was OK to post these questions here. Please let me know if I should have posted them elsewhere.
Cheers,
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though its an 7 inch screen it is the same as the AN21 head unit internally. So it doesnt support obdll over bluetooth. Try getting the wifi version that it works. Try the same rooting method as that head unit.
@ little off topic question
Im sorry I do not have the information on that for you but it shocked me when you said that it didn't work with your phone over bluetooth . I was thinking about buying this model and want to make sure that the Bluetooth is able to stream my music and also make phone calls from the dash !? Is that possible with this unit ?
Another question I had is about the sound quality
The watts are not listed online so does it get loud and clear or do you need an amp with this unit
Again sorry I couldn't help ( sorry for asking a bunch if random stuff )
easyguy said:
Even though its an 7 inch screen it is the same as the AN21 head unit internally. So it doesnt support obdll over bluetooth. Try getting the wifi version that it works. Try the same rooting method as that head unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction :good:
I've had a good read through the AN21 head unit thread. I've ended up upgrading the system software to version 2.8.3 and I've also managed to root the device.
The result is now that I am able to play my music over 3G without there being any annoying gaps between each track.
As you've mentioned, it still doesn't support OBDII over bluetooth and this does turn out to be a hardware issue rather than a software issue. In fact, the software itself does clearly support OBDII over bluetooth, it's just the hardware version of my bluetooth controller that doesn't support it.
Wolfy717 said:
Im sorry I do not have the information on that for you but it shocked me when you said that it didn't work with your phone over bluetooth . I was thinking about buying this model and want to make sure that the Bluetooth is able to stream my music and also make phone calls from the dash !? Is that possible with this unit ?
Another question I had is about the sound quality
The watts are not listed online so does it get loud and clear or do you need an amp with this unit
Again sorry I couldn't help ( sorry for asking a bunch if random stuff )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The head unit does connect to my phone over bluetooth, I never said that it didn't. I was referring to a bluetooth OBDII adapter (for reading out diagnostic information from my car's ECU) that does not work with the head unit over bluetooth.
I've not actually attempted to make or receive any calls over bluetooth, or to stream any music via Bluetooth, but it is my understanding that the head unit does support these features.
It is probably a good idea to have a proper read through the"AN-21 U" - Unbranded 6.2" 2 DIN Pure Android 4.1 Car Stereo Radio Head Unit [ROOTED] thread available on here in the Android Development and Hacking --> Android General section as it seems as though people have had different results with regards to sound qualities depending on which software version / MCU version they are running on their unit. For what it's worth, I've left my MCU version untouched as it looked as though it was a whole different ball game to change MCU versions as apposed to simply changing the software version.
I can't remember off the top of my head what the speaker wattage outputs are, I seem to remember something around the 45X4 mark, remember those are peak ratings. I do have an amp running a sub woofer in the boot of my car but the rest of the speakers, which are just the standard speakers that were supplied with the car, are powered directly off the head unit.
I've got to be honest and say, I don't think they go as loud as they did with my previous head unit, a Sony MEX-BT3100U, so I will probably look at amping them at some point in the future, probably after replacing them with some good quality aftermarket speakers.
jim1985 said:
Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction :good:
I've had a good read through the AN21 head unit thread. I've ended up upgrading the system software to version 2.8.3 and I've also managed to root the device.
The result is now that I am able to play my music over 3G without there being any annoying gaps between each track.
As you've mentioned, it still doesn't support OBDII over bluetooth and this does turn out to be a hardware issue rather than a software issue. In fact, the software itself does clearly support OBDII over bluetooth, it's just the hardware version of my bluetooth controller that doesn't support it.
The head unit does connect to my phone over bluetooth, I never said that it didn't. I was referring to a bluetooth OBDII adapter (for reading out diagnostic information from my car's ECU) that does not work with the head unit over bluetooth.
I've not actually attempted to make or receive any calls over bluetooth, or to stream any music via Bluetooth, but it is my understanding that the head unit does support these features.
It is probably a good idea to have a proper read through the"AN-21 U" - Unbranded 6.2" 2 DIN Pure Android 4.1 Car Stereo Radio Head Unit [ROOTED] thread available on here in the Android Development and Hacking --> Android General section as it seems as though people have had different results with regards to sound qualities depending on which software version / MCU version they are running on their unit. For what it's worth, I've left my MCU version untouched as it looked as though it was a whole different ball game to change MCU versions as apposed to simply changing the software version.
I can't remember off the top of my head what the speaker wattage outputs are, I seem to remember something around the 45X4 mark, remember those are peak ratings. I do have an amp running a sub woofer in the boot of my car but the rest of the speakers, which are just the standard speakers that were supplied with the car, are powered directly off the head unit.
I've got to be honest and say, I don't think they go as loud as they did with my previous head unit, a Sony MEX-BT3100U, so I will probably look at amping them at some point in the future, probably after replacing them with some good quality aftermarket speakers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know if it is possible to root the Xtrons TS702L or how to upgrade it ?

Enabling external bus functionality (I2C, SPI, UART,...), RK3188

Hello everyone,
I have a Erisin S2046B in my 2001 BMW E46 and found information, that the RK3188 has several external buses which are partly currently not used in the device. Being an electrical engineer and having some projects in my mind which require some sort of external communication to e.g. microcontrollers, I would like to make use of them.
Did anyone go through the effort to use one of these interfaces?
I read in the sound processor thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/and.../mtc-sound-controlling-bd37xxx-sound-t3234660), that I2C is used there but only limited information on what is done exactly, as it is just a matter of reconnecting the bus lines from the mcu to the rk3188.
I'm not quite sure, if this is the right section, but I would not really consider this "software development". Anyway, if one finds it inappropriate, I would kindly ask a mod to move it to another section
This is great, hopefully it's with guys like yourself tinkering away at these devices we end up with a how new sub-section of interesting mods that can be done for those that like to take stock and improve on it..
Bookmarked for reading as you go through this ... Look forward to some.positive outcomes...
@LC4T, can you be more clear as to what do you plan to achieve? It is no problem to attach another slave (or more) to existing I2C bus, as this bus is a multi-slave in its nature. There's no need to find any interfaces not in use, you are free to use existing, well known one.
As I already mentioned in my posting, I personally plan to connect an external microcontroller and exchange data between the µC and the RK3188. As I don't want to fit the circuitry inside the erisin enclosure, I2C is not the preferable solution.
The principle of I2C and its architecture is known to me, I have already build hardware using I2C But as the existing I2C bus is already connected to at least one slave device, I would be careful with hooking up another one without knowing exactly, what's happening on the bus already. Worst case would be to make the whole existing system unstable. I'd rather use SPI oder UART for my purpose.
In general, this thread should not be seen limited to my intentional use but some sort of collection of information on which buses are present, usable and in use - knowledge base style, so to speak
What's the first solution that comes to your mind when you think of doing something interesting with your I2C?
Some of these units do CANBUS. I'm not sure if there is separate hardware in them or just hookups.
I plan on installing an engine block heater (webasto thermo top c). With the universal wiring kit and control unit, you're only able to set three starting times with a fixed heating time. Additional control units for remote control are quite limited in range and functionality, the "cheap ones" (~200€) only offer "start" and "stop" with the only feedback if the command reached the unit being a blinking led, the ones with the ability to set the starting time from the distance (they claim it works up to 1km depending on the building density) is 350€... There are also GSM units available but also quite expensive and with few functions.
So including a microcontroller would fix all that
If I got it right, the CAN unit is a standalone device, that only decodes relevant data (e.g. gearbox in reverse), so no communication with the android device itself
LC4T said:
I plan on installing an engine block heater (webasto thermo top c). With the universal wiring kit and control unit, you're only able to set three starting times with a fixed heating time. Additional control units for remote control are quite limited in range and functionality, the "cheap ones" (~200€) only offer "start" and "stop" with the only feedback if the command reached the unit being a blinking led, the ones with the ability to set the starting time from the distance (they claim it works up to 1km depending on the building density) is 350€... There are also GSM units available but also quite expensive and with few functions.
So including a microcontroller would fix all that
If I got it right, the CAN unit is a standalone device, that only decodes relevant data (e.g. gearbox in reverse), so no communication with the android device itself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe there are can bus controllers for that device.
You could take a look at IOIO-OTG boards. it might offer some features.
You can make your own can bus for the devices you want to control and use available can bus adapters.
If you're talking about the webasto heater, yes, there are control units with CAN functionality but they are OEM specific (e.g. VW/Audi, Mercedes, BMW,...) and not universal. Also, adding just another interface is not what I intended to do when there are several of them, mostly unused already available
Again: I don't want to use this thread for my specific problem but as a general thread on using the interfaces already present in the unit
LC4T said:
If you're talking about the webasto heater, yes, there are control units with CAN functionality but they are OEM specific (e.g. VW/Audi, Mercedes, BMW,...) and not universal. Also, adding just another interface is not what I intended to do when there are several of them, mostly unused already available
Again: I don't want to use this thread for my specific problem but as a general thread on using the interfaces already present in the unit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. Sure. I like the idea of tapping into the onboard hardware, but it might be good to talk about the limitations and optimal use cases for doing so.
For your case I think you can solve your need without tapping in if the objective is to get it working quickly. If the geek factor is more important then its a moot point.
You could probably tap in using something like this:
sandboxelectronics.com/?product=active-i2c-long-cable-extender-p82b715-module
That might help cut down on noise if you want to run it around the car.
Here's my thoughts.
If you need to control some external DIY device, you need to go with USB ports, which are already available in our devices.
They are just designed to communicate with external world, opposite to I2C or SPI, which are designed for in-system communications only.
Here we have two options:
1. Use native USB communication:
On the headunit side - libusb library which is well-known in Linux world. It might even happen that it is already compiled into the kernel (need to check); otherwise, a libusb.ko module needs to be compiled and loaded.
Nowadays there are many microcontrollers with USB onboard for direct use; and even simpliest MCUs like AVR attiny/atmega can use USB via V-USB library (I've done some just-for-fun projects with it).
2. Use a cheap USB-Serial converter to get a new serial port on a headunit's side. On the MCU side, you'll get a standard UART, which is much simplier than USB for MCU programming.
And returning to your @LC4T idea.
Are you planning to use head unit only as a control panel for your device, so that you only need a big touch screen with a nice UI to set up your externa DIY device, then go off letting that device to work alone? Don't you plan having your head unit always turned on to track time and on/off your heater? Because latter solution is really bad, as our head units are very power hungry.
7floor said:
Here's my thoughts.
If you need to control some external DIY device, you need to go with USB ports, which are already available in our devices.
They are just designed to communicate with external world, opposite to I2C or SPI, which are designed for in-system communications only.
Here we have two options:
1. Use native USB communication:
On the headunit side - libusb library which is well-known in Linux world. It might even happen that it is already compiled into the kernel (need to check); otherwise, a libusb.ko module needs to be compiled and loaded.
Nowadays there are many microcontrollers with USB onboard for direct use; and even simpliest MCUs like AVR attiny/atmega can use USB via V-USB library (I've done some just-for-fun projects with it).
2. Use a cheap USB-Serial converter to get a new serial port on a headunit's side. On the MCU side, you'll get a standard UART, which is much simplier than USB for MCU programming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The IOIO OTG solution gets you here plus there are established libraries etc.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki
The OTG version allows it to be powered from the host also. That could make it easy to develop and move around.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki/Getting-To-Know-The-IOIO-OTG-Board
pounce said:
The IOIO OTG solution gets you here plus there are established libraries etc.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki
The OTG version allows it to be powered from the host also. That could make it easy to develop and move around.
github.com/ytai/ioio/wiki/Getting-To-Know-The-IOIO-OTG-Board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From $20 for the board on AliExpress to almost $40 elsewhere? No, thanks These guys want too much for their solution. This is the price of a Raspberry PI, a complete computer.
For that price, I would prefer putting a Raspberry under dashboard, connect with WiFi, for example, and have much more flexibility than gives the IOIO.
As to IOIO - as a prototyping board it might be useful, but not for a well-finished DIY project based on a single cheap MCU with a minimum of components, where total cost of it would be much lower than cost of that board.
It is like using ATmega256-based Arduino boards for the purpose of watching a button and blinking a LED, where the $0.5 worth ATtiny13 is an overhead.
Such a boards are probably good for Hackaton events, where you have to show something working after a few hours of quick-and-dirty work, but not for thoroughly designed DIY project.
Depends on how much you value your time and what an existing product offers you for your solution. Many people aren't as price sensitive. I certainly wasn't suggesting the IOIO as the only solution, but for an open ended or more generic solution to get hardware support external to the head unit is generally fits the bill. Established libs for interacting saves some time. Nice bunch of people put it together and there have been some fun projects.
Like I mentioned before, it might be a good idea to discuss what the objective would be to adding smart hardware in the solution through, I2C, USB, bluetooth, wifi or whatever. I think the OP is looking to discuss the general idea and not super specific solutions that might lead a person to pic a very specific ic and com. Well, I know that was the purpose because the OP has redirected me to the point.
You bring up a good point though. You say you would rather put Pi under the dash. I would also for controlling things. In fact Pi or some duino realtime solution is always going to be better for interacting with an auto. This is especially the case when the purpose might be controlling something that is powered like a motor or something life critical. At this point though we are not talking about android or these head units. You are talking about perhaps the method of communication between two systems. Not really for this forum.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------
I'd like to have more input/output trigger wires for events. We have a backup wire, but I'd like more for other things. An example might be to support a passenger side view camera. Sure, there are ways to hack it in by switching the backup video input, but that's a simple example. Power on a wire sends an event in android on the unit.
Do we have GPIO possibility on any of these units?
CanBus via Uart?
Does anyone know how the CanBus connection works? My MTCB Unit came with an adapter box which turns some messages into external signals (like illumination, reverse), but also seems to forward messages via serial into my Head Unit. At least that's how i guess that the steering wheel buttons are working.
Now, there are some messages that i wish to interpret and send, and also some i would interpret different. My idea was to get some kind of filter (maybe software, maybe a dedicated micro controller) in between the CanBus adapter and the service on my head unit. But right now, i have no idea how to verify my understanding of the setup, since no tty device on the HU seems to directly reflect my button presses. There's one, that pours out something unreadable on key press, but this also does it if i touch the screen, so i guess that's not the CanBus adapter itself.
I suspect that the information in already interpret before it gets into the android system, and only the relevant messages are forwarded, or even pre-processed. I suspect that the only way to get to the signals is to listen on the CanBus adapters RX/TX lines, and maybe finally put an microcontroller in between. If unlucky, the adapter might also filter out messages before i can get them, and i need to access the CanBus directly.
htt p://i.imgur.com/P1QzXta.jpg?1 << CanBus Adapter
I would appreciate any hints on this topic, especially information on the CanBus Adapter.
From what I can see on the PCB and I have read about the can adapter:
The adapter itself only interprets data from either can bus or analog signals and forwards them to the android unit via some sort of serial interface, most probably UART. As you have almost no way to get an inside look into the software running on the microcontroller, I would suggest to design a seperate device, that way you can be 100% sure to get all the messages and filter yourself.
I ordered some can bus adapters to see what i can read. Maybe i will first have a look into the data on the serial line when i finished moving house and had time to unpack my gear
I have a can bus HU, when i listen to the radio or music player, i haven't information on display of my car (CLK MERCEDES). I read the new units have dual can bus and information of radio appears on car display. Ther's a way to modify my HU to dual can bus? I have to change a can bus decoder? My can bus decoder is B200.
Regards
7floor said:
.... There's no need to find any interfaces not in use, you are free to use existing, well known one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well known interfaces - that's the keyword.
For example I would like to output current FM-frequency, radio station name, song title to the existing (factory) FIS display in a car. Via CAN bus, because the display talks CAN.
Now I would at least have to know which units have CAN capability.
Yes, I could go the USB to RS232 to CAN dasy-chain-adapter route, but I consider that all but a clean solution
Oskar

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