This
is assembled Genie (click to enlarge)
This
is assembled Genie (click to enlarge)
Most diving computers can send data (e.g. diving profiles) to PC for
analyzing and visualization. There are numerous designs of simple
interfaces
and programs available free for that purpose. Alas, internal memory of
dive computer usually overflows after one or two days of diving, so
during
longer trips most of the data is lost. Of course you can take your
notebook
or palmtop with you, but this is not cheap or safe solution.
Special
devices are offered for the purpose of storing data, which work, but
are
rather expensive.
There was no project available on Internet with similar functionality,
so I created Project GENIE.
Genie is a simple logging device, able to store data from diving
computer,
then send it to PC. It interfaces with Aladin® and compatible
computers.
Such computers store up to 200 min. of dive profiles in internal
memory.
Entire contents of the memory can be transmitted out as a 2kB block.
Genie
stores such block as an entity (does not try to analyze its contents).
With 128kB memory installed Genie can store 64 blocks, which is
theoretically
equivalent to 12800 min or 213 hours of diving. In practice a lot
of data will be transmitted twice or more, so effective memory capacity
should be about 100 hours.
Genie sends data to PC in the same format, which it gets
from diving computer. Transmission of each block is started by pressing
a button. Genie works with any program, which is able to get data
directly
from Aladin® (e.g. Wlog). As Genie is not Memo Mouse ® clone
and
it does not try to emulate it, it will not work with Uwatec
programs
which check for its presence (but it works with old DOS versions).
Besides 'one button' interface Genie recognizes commands send by serial
interface. Receiving program can check for presence of Genie,
download
data and delete it from Genie memory. Recently project received great
support from Tomasz Machalski, who wrote freeware program Djin performing all these functions.
Be warned: Genie is not a simple circuit and is not recommended for
beginners. Some experience with digital circuits is required.
Total cost of parts used for prototype was about 20$ (without PCB,
32kB memory).
This is the first version of PCB:
Project is available according to GNU GPL license.
There are numerous interesting pages on Internet, describing dive
computer
interfaces, protocols etc.
They are presented on Project Genie Link Page
Click here to view README for current version
Click here to download full project (.ZIP)
Click here to
download program Djin by Tomasz Machalski
Polish version available here
Memo Mouse® and Aladin® are registered trademarks of Uwatec, Switzerland.
Greetings,
