Ethernet-PIC: Implementierung eines Mikro-Webservers für PIC18F97J60 kompatible SensorknotenEthernet-PIC: Implementing a micro webserver for PIC18F97J60 compatible sensor nodes

Thesis Type:

The DUS research group:

The Distributed and Ubiquitous Systems (DUS) research group works together with well-known international partners from research and industry in the field of ubiquitous and pervasive computing systems.

Ubiquitous Computing:

A vision of ubiquitous computing is the invisible computer. Computer as visible elements of our environment disappear. To the human user, the environment or everyday things become the user interface. All in one computing systems are substituted by specialized, well-designed appliances. The user no longer has the feeling to interact with a computing system but with common everyday objects in his environment.

Project Description:

The goal of this student project is to create a network bridge between a RF sensor network used by the TECO Particle System and a local area network. The device will be based on the PIC18F97J60 processor embedded in the PICDEM.net 2 Demonstration Board from Microchip. The PICDEM.net 2 has an ethernet connector which is used for all internet protocol communication. Communication with the sensor network will occur over CONAN connector in conjunction with a Cpart node within a Particle network.

The incoming data packets from the sensor network need to be converted to UDP packets for forwarding to the LAN while in the other direction, UDP packets destined for the Particle network should be converted to the corresponding form and forwarded to the Cpart by the network bridge. The Cpart handles all RF communication, completing the bridging process.

In addition to being a network bridge, the device should also act as a webserver, meaning it should be an member of the ethernet network and respond to HTTP requests on port 80. The PICDEM.net 2 has a PICtail Access Adapter which supports the insertion of a PICtail Daughter Board for SD and MMC allowing access to a SD card where the website is to be stored. This feature can then be developed further in the foreseeable future to allow configuration and analysis of the bridge from a remote location via a web brow-ser.

All of the features necessary must be implemented within the bounds of the PIC18F97J60's capabilities. The program code must not exceed the size of the on-board program memory of the PIC, nor can it use more than the provided amount of data memory. On top of the internal program and RAM memory limita-tions, the code developed within this project must operate efficiently enough to support the data rates ex-pected from the compatible sensor nodes. The code is to be written in C and assembler using the Micro-chip C18 C Compiler and MPLAB IDE with the MPLAB ICD 2 for device programming and debugging.

Work Context:

We offer:

• Integration in German, European and international projects
• Strong connection to practial problem domains and good industry relationships
• Creative and dynamic working context with a strong international focus
• Direct contact with the computer science institute and with the research group and its members

We request:

• communication skills, creativity, self and time management
• fluent German language skill, English a plus
• Willingness to acquire new knowledge and its application
• Personal initiative and presence in the research lab