SURF-IT SymposiumLuke HeidbrinkMentor: Mark BachmanAugust 26,
2011
Project OverviewDevelop a platform that connects Android
applications to hardware devices:
Applications
Applications
MotivationCommunicating with hardware is complicated and
time-consuming. Future projects can use this platform for rapid
development.The Android operating system is becoming ubiquitous;
our platform targets a large user base with many potential
applications.People who want to develop Android applications with
custom hardware don't always have the technical skill to do so.
MotivationAs of May 2011, 38% of U.S. phones owned are
smartphones. Of smartphones, a plurality of 38% run the Android
operating system1.1 In US, Smartphones Now Majority of New
Cellphone Purchases The Nielsen Company,
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/in-us-smartphones-now-majority-of-new-cellphone-purchases/
MotivationCommunicating with hardware requires specific,
thorough knowledge of programming and electronics:
GoalsCreate an Android service that handles the minutia of
communicating with the hardwareCreate a development board with
easy-to-use input/output channels and a pre-programmed
microcontrollerIntegrate our Android code with popular development
software so novice developers can use high-level
environmentsSupport many hardware options and provide a variety of
useful functions
Approach: GeneralAccessibleNovice users should be able to begin
development quicklyAdvanced users should easily understand our
set-up and use it to their advantageRobustOur middleware should
support the largest possible number of ideasOur middleware should
not become outdated by future releases of Android or our target
development environments
Approach: Android ServiceThe Android service handles the USB
connection with the development board.The end user sees simple
functions like read, write, schedule, connect, and disconnect.The
service performs handshaking, processes hardware malfunctions,
stores received data in a buffer, and more.The service is written
as a Android (Java) class, which can be used as a library in
several high-level development environments.
ResultsAn Android class handles a connection to a development
board via USB.Connects and reconnects automaticallySends and
receives digital or analog dataTransmission via USB is very fastA
program written in the popular scripting- language Processing uses
the class to make an LED blink regularly.
Next StepsTest and support additional development environments,
like 3D game enginesTest and support different communication
protocols beyond analog and digitalAdd support for wireless
communication, probably via BluetoothGive the platform to novice
developers, see what they create, and improve our design based on
their feedback
Acknowledgements and QuestionsThe Android Team:Prof. Mark
BachmanNizan FriedmanJordan LinfordSean BurkeSURF-IT Staff and
FellowsCalit2 Staff and MIDAS MembersQuestions?
