The Technology Behind
The Double-D America System uses a number of technologies to collect, transmit, and analyze the Double-D Data.
Simplified Double-D America Modular Diagram
Hayley
Dave outfitted the Double-D America car with a car computer called Hayley. The car computer's Master Control Program pulls telemetry data from a GPS receiver and a webcam every minute. This data is pushed to the Double-D America server via an EVDO/1xRTT connection. The data is placed in an upload queue if no connection is available.
The car is also outfitted with a contact memory button reader. Each driver/user has a memory button key that has a 64-bit unique identifier. A user must place his key in the reader to login to Hayley when the user is driving. The user's 64-bit unique identifier is paired to any GPS coordinates acquired while logged in. This data is used to determine how many miles a user has driven.
The car computer also shares its internet connection with anyone in the car, so we can manage our blogging, carfessionals, and album while on the road.
Double-D-America.com
The Double-D America server processes the telemetry data pushed by Hayley and stores it to a database. A number of scripts format this data to a viewable format for web readers. One script plots the GPS coordinates to a Google Map. Another script updates the webcam in realtime so readers can view an up-to-the-minute picture.
Our blogging data is handled by the YAMS variant_one Content Management System.
Software List and Primary Modules
- Hayley Master Control Program
- GPS Interface and NMEA 0183 Parsing
- Webcam Interface and Periodic Capturing (requires ImageMagick)
- Contact Memory Button Interface and User Verification
- Network Communication and Double-D-America.com GPS/Webcam Transaction Protocols
- LED Display Interface and OSD Organization/Management
- YAMS variant_one Content Management System
Hardware List
- Computer:
- Case: Mini-Box VoomPC car PC enclosure ($79.95)
- Power Supply: M1-ATX DC-DC ATX Automotive Computer (car PC) Power Supply ($79.95)
- Motherboard: VIA EPIA MII12000 ($189.50)
- RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 1x512MB DDR266 ($42.99)
- HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint M MP0402H 40GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache ATA-6 Notebook Hard Drive (57.99)
- GPS: GlobalSat BU-353 GPS Receiver ($67.95)
- Network:
- EVDO PC Card Adapter: Sprint Mobile Broadband Connection Card - Merlin S620 ($250.00 + $80/mo unlimited data plan)
- Antenna for EVDO Adapter: Wilson Cellular Dual-Band Mini Magnetic Mount Cell Phone Antenna ($24.95)
- Antenna Adapter for EVDO Adapter: Novatel Wireless Merlin V620 Antenna Adapter ($14.95)
- Camera: Creative Webcam Notebook PD1170 ($25.00 on sale)
- LED Display: Matrix Orbital PK202-24-USB 20x2 Character PLED ($79.95)
- DIN sized LED Display Mount: Custom built by Lionel Castonguay. Thanks, Lionel!
- Cables:
- 25' Cat 5E Crossover Cable
- Two 10' USB extension cables ($3.49 ea)
- Two 6' USB extension cables ($1.99 ea)
- 25' DB9 serial extension cable ($16.99)
- 10" rounded IDE cable ($3.99)
- USB Hub: 4 port mini USB hub ($8.19)
- Automated Information Technology:
Special Thanks
Lionel Castonguay for making the custom mount for the LED display and assisting with basic math.
Mike Luna for wiring the carputer to the DDA car.
Christoph Shipley for providing the Memory Button hardware.
Please forward any DDA System questions to Dave.
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