Comuter Systems For Master Chief Suit

[KevlarSpartan]

To be totally honest, I still have no idea what you are planning. Lots of other people have given ideas about what they would do, but all you said was that you wanted to put a computer in your suit, listed some specs, and said that goggles would help.



What do you want your computer to do? What would your circuit schematics do? What software are you wanting to run? Are you planning to write additional software?



As for the magnets, they are like $1 in the US, and can be salvaged from lots of things (e.g. old HDDs, powerful refrigerator magnets, etc.). So even if things are way more expensive in Australia, they are probably still only like $3. It doesn't matter though, if you don't want to use them.

Alrighty then,



Im still in the brainstorming-for-ideas stage, but here is essentially what i want the system to achieve:



1. I want the computer system to act as a hub for incoming traffic, i want it to process information and store any important stuff (you know, documents, caches and the lot), the storage will of course be for the HDD (or SSD as i will now need to use) and the rest will be for processing of things like the camera feed, processing of the suits sensors through constant input-output so i know whats going on, etc. etc.



2. Schematics will simply be "For Show" as such, the only real purpose they will serve is for repair and maintenance, just so a have a guide as to what is where, and what is connected to what and where it goes. I should mention though, that the schematics will be both digital and hard copy. Digital for when im building, so i can make any changes, and hard copy as the final piece, for again, repair and maintenance.



3. Im not out for fancy-arse software that has a billion bugs in it, i'll be using the simple stuff, not too sure on exactly what yet (again, just in brainstorm stage), and i don't intend on writing any software off scratch, if anything, i'll just use existing script and add or alter it to my needs, real rag-tagg stuff, nowhere near military standard, but then, it never could be, unless i get my hand on military spec semiconducter material! referring to the electronics of course



I don't know how much clearer its gonna get, at least for now, but i'll keep everyone up-to-date on large developments. I get a feeling im gonna need a lot of NE555P chips though, and at least 9 score of diodes and transistors, perhaps a few tripler's here and there.



Cheers!

 

[guido666]

1. I want the computer system to act as a hub for incoming traffic, i want it to process information and store any important stuff (you know, documents, caches and the lot), the storage will of course be for the HDD (or SSD as i will now need to use) and the rest will be for processing of things like the camera feed, processing of the suits sensors through constant input-output so i know whats going on, etc. etc.

Ok, brainstorming. So what is this first part all about? I understand that you want cameras that feed into some sort of display in the helmet (screen, HUD, goggles, whatever). What is the other "traffic"? Are you trying to be a walking promiscuous ad-hoc wireless access point, and just pull data out of the air? I don't understand what is generating this "traffic", "documents", and "caches" that you are trying to receive.



What sensors do you want in the suit? What type of sensors will be in which parts? For instance, it could be cool to have a infrared no-touch thermometer in your hand plate, so that you could point at things and measure temperature (although hooking it to the computer is going to be tough). So what other sensor ideas do you have?

 

[Spawn Camp3r]

I would suggest using a mark V suit because there is that big area on the back. also I would suggest getting a mother board with integrated graphics so that you don't have to have a large card. something like this



link

link

link

link



it is not nearly as powerful as you wanted but it is significantly smaller.



you would also have to (at least temporarily) use a disc drive to install windows / linux (which would run lighter)

 

[Kamaro]

Like Awesomeness said, we can't help you unless you tell us what exactly you want to have. I've read the whole thread, and I have no idea why you need all this stuff in your suit...

 

[bankz5152]

Like Awesomeness said, we can't help you unless you tell us what exactly you want to have. I've read the whole thread, and I have no idea why you need all this stuff in your suit...

Lol. To be honest why do we need most the things we have! Its just another thing you really really want but dont ever need.



Id like to see if this comes to fruition, if it comes out it will be very cool.

 

[Kamaro]

Lol. To be honest why do we need most the things we have! Its just another thing you really really want but dont ever need.



Id like to see if this comes to fruition, if it comes out it will be very cool.

No, you misunderstood me. I wanted to know for what kind of functions he needs this stuff.

 

[guido666]

Id like to see if this comes to fruition, if it comes out it will be very cool.

My point was, what is "this" that is coming to "fruition"? He obviously wants to do something with this computer in his suit, but he hasn't told us what that is. He wants cameras, "sensors", and a huge HDD full of "documents", "caches", and other "input/output". Very vague. There are all kinds of sensors: accelerometers, thermometers, GPS, barometers, force meters, light meters, etc. What does he want to measure? I'm really not sure.

 

[Anubis4451]

Personally, I would love to see his project come to fruition. It is innovative and I was contemplating something similar myself with ODST armor. I suggest we stop questining what his project is going to do and just look forward to seeing what he comes up with. History has been full of people that say you don't need this or that but then we wouldn't have the things we do if they listened to the nay sayers. You never questioned Bill Gates or Steve Jobs so why question his innovative mind.



About your project:

I work in IT and I believe you need to canabilize a netbook to make this happen and the suggestions you have recieved are on point. You have a lot of choice to make depending on you budget. This project can and will work if you put the time and effort into it. Also, it doesn't matter which suit you use. All the MC suits have plenty of room from what I have seen. You just have to be creative and innovative. You are more than welcome to PM me with questions on installation and suggestions.



My advice is to always be dilligent and innovative. Break the mold and create something new. Never let someone tell you you can't do something.

 

[guido666]

Personally, I would love to see his project come to fruition. It is innovative and I was contemplating something similar myself with ODST armor. I suggest we stop questining what his project is going to do and just look forward to seeing what he comes up with. History has been full of people that say you don't need this or that but then we wouldn't have the things we do if they listened to the nay sayers. You never questioned Bill Gates or Steve Jobs so why question his innovative mind.



About your project:

I work in IT and I believe you need to canabilize a netbook to make this happen and the suggestions you have recieved are on point. You have a lot of choice to make depending on you budget. This project can and will work if you put the time and effort into it. Also, it doesn't matter which suit you use. All the MC suits have plenty of room from what I have seen. You just have to be creative and innovative. You are more than welcome to PM me with questions on installation and suggestions.



My advice is to always be dilligent and innovative. Break the mold and create something new. Never let someone tell you you can't do something.

Nobody said it wouldn't work, or did any "nay saying". It's just hard to help if we don't know what he's doing. How do you know he needs a netbook, since it's entirely possible it's not nearly powerful enough for what he wants to do? So it helps if we know what he wants to do. So far he's talking about needing multicore processors, several GBs of RAM, and hundreds of GBs of HDD space, which sounds like HE ruled out smaller systems. I'm just asking what he's planning.

 

[Anubis4451]

Nobody said it wouldn't work, or did any "nay saying". It's just hard to help if we don't know what he's doing. How do you know he needs a netbook, since it's entirely possible it's not nearly powerful enough for what he wants to do? So it helps if we know what he wants to do. So far he's talking about needing multicore processors, several GBs of RAM, and hundreds of GBs of HDD space, which sounds like HE ruled out smaller systems. I'm just asking what he's planning.

I wasn't speaking of anyone here in the forum. No one here said anything bad. I was using general terms to encourage him to complete his project. The members of the 405th have always been encouraging. At this point in reading his topic I formulated that he doesn't want to divulge his plans because he probably would have done it already. I just want us to keep throwing ideas out to him until he completes his project because I know we ALL want to see what he is coming up with. You are right though, he has rulled himself out of smaller systems. I am also curious about what he plans on doing and what he is going to use. I guess I am going to have to wait until he either tells us or shows us his plans. I hope he does tell us his plans so we can offer more suggestions and help him finish it.

 

[KevlarSpartan]

OKAY OKAY!!!! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!



Im gonna put this pooch to sleep right now. First off, i appreciate the ideas that you have all given me, which is the whole point of this topic. I didn't say i wanted help with this in the first post anyway, again, im just thinking of the possibilities, of what "might" be able to be done: i haven't gone out and said "ok, i want this 'specific' software and i want the other crap to do this 'specifically'" unless someone has asked, and even then, im not sure, which IS the whole point of brainstorming, you know, getting 'ideas', not thinking 'specifics'. I can't definitively say that "that's!" what im going to use, it'll all come in good time.



Now that the anger-train has left the building....let's get on wit it.



@ Anubis4451: Hey hey! I work in IT too (Network Engineer).And yes, the netbook idea was pitched to me a few posts back, i've thought that 'that' might be the way to go, seeing as how compact the netbook's system is. If your idea about the ODST one comes to pass, be sure to let me know bout it, do some idea swappin'. [In relation to second post]: I appreciate the enthusiasm and support, all i wanted out of this was ideas and not to be sitting on my arse for an hour typing out endless streams of 'what software am i gonna use?" and whatnot, but i'll answer any questions nonetheless. I'll get my initial plans up and running soon enough. And i'll probably need to PM you sometime in the near future, so stay tuned.



As for the moment, if anyone has anything to say, let it be ideas, i don't even care if it the stupidest thing i'll ever hear, just keep throwing em' at me, cuz chances are that two stupid posts will give me one hell of an idea.



Cheers!

 

[adventchildmatrix]

these are probably stupid ideas but here they are none the less.

if you went with the netbook idea you could store it in the back of the chest peice and have a small keyboard set up in the forearm of your left arm (if your right handed otherside if a lefty)and have a small external screen connected to the netbook which slots onto the opposite arm you are typing on. im thinking the kays would be about the size of what you get on qwerty keyboard phones. you could feasibly cannabalise a blackberry or some such phone and have the screen permanently attached to your forearm armour.

ill draw a sketch to claryify everything later. (if your interested that is.)

 

[KevlarSpartan]

these are probably stupid ideas but here they are none the less.

if you went with the netbook idea you could store it in the back of the chest peice and have a small keyboard set up in the forearm of your left arm (if your right handed otherside if a lefty)and have a small external screen connected to the netbook which slots onto the opposite arm you are typing on. im thinking the kays would be about the size of what you get on qwerty keyboard phones. you could feasibly cannabalise a blackberry or some such phone and have the screen permanently attached to your forearm armour.

ill draw a sketch to claryify everything later. (if your interested that is.)

I am indeed interested in any sketching, because that is the type of idea im looking for I could easily find some sort of backberry QWERTY keypad, but where would you have put it, if not the forearm? perhaps some sort of flip out on one of the pectorals on the chest? The forearm, though, would be best i suppose. As the for screen, well, my main screed (HUD) is going to be in the helmet, but having a seconday (as you say, the blackberry one) would be handy. One other idea i had was to transfer any USB slots from the netbook up to the helmet, so it'd kinda be like inserting the Cortana AI whenever i insert a USB, or even an SD card.



Cheers!

 

[colinmon22]

Ok, I hope I'm not throwing a wrench into things here since I would love to see this actually happen, but I remember lurking a while back and seeing articles similar to this in which the idea of using camera feeds as a primary source of vision came up. This idea was promptly shut down, because most camera feed systems create a few milliseconds of lag, which can really mess with your perception, reaction timing etc. If this isn't an issue to you, or you know someway around it (I'm essentially computer illiterate beyond basic functions so I wouldn't know), then I say full steam ahead . Also, I was wondering if you planned on making the HUD interactive or not? (i.e. simulating ammo, health bar, map, etc.) If so, I can see why superimposing it onto your camera feed would be a necessity. If not, why not save some energy and processing power, and simply turn the HUD into a physical part of the screen by drawing, etching, adding it as a transparent layer, or however directly onto the screen?



hope this helps!

-Colin



PS: how come all the cool tech builds are always out of country? lol

 

[DreamHazard]

Hey, there's more proper geeks in this thread! I worked as a systems admin, I've done large scale implementations and I'm currently studying for a degree in computing...



If you like the look of Linux, after using it for a bit, perhaps you could consider the implementation of a custom OS, which could boot directly into the HUD instead of a GUI... This would minimise boot time, and you could probably directly link the camera with the OS, rather than through software, greatly reducing any latency between the real world and the projected screen...



As for the problem with the glasses, could it be possible to project the image from the camera so that the field of view aligns with the display? It may need some specialist equipment for that though, not really looked into optics since physics, and never with cameras.



also... google maps uplink, if you get a mobile broadband dongle, you could have a real time map attached to your suit... in place of the motion sensor perhaps?



Thanks for the kudos in the post, glad to see my posts are being considered! I'd suggest Ubuntu to get a feel for linux, although my strong (somewhat professional) opinion is that you should go with a custom build. If you'd like any help with advice, coding, or anything else, feel free to PM me at any time

 

[Anubis4451]

Hey, there's more proper geeks in this thread! I worked as a systems admin, I've done large scale implementations and I'm currently studying for a degree in computing...



If you like the look of Linux, after using it for a bit, perhaps you could consider the implementation of a custom OS, which could boot directly into the HUD instead of a GUI... This would minimise boot time, and you could probably directly link the camera with the OS, rather than through software, greatly reducing any latency between the real world and the projected screen...



As for the problem with the glasses, could it be possible to project the image from the camera so that the field of view aligns with the display? It may need some specialist equipment for that though, not really looked into optics since physics, and never with cameras.



also... google maps uplink, if you get a mobile broadband dongle, you could have a real time map attached to your suit... in place of the motion sensor perhaps?



Thanks for the kudos in the post, glad to see my posts are being considered! I'd suggest Ubuntu to get a feel for linux, although my strong (somewhat professional) opinion is that you should go with a custom build. If you'd like any help with advice, coding, or anything else, feel free to PM me at any time

A custom built OS would be ideal just have to look at time investment.



I was thinking of maybe using LIDAR in the suit as the motion detectors. One in the front shoulders and back for a complete 360 scan. Would probably have to adjust to compensate for weather motion. Don't want leaves blowing to interfere and have multiple targets when there isn't one.



@Kevlar:

Sorry for earlier. I work with a lot of kids that have troubles and the positiveness spills over to my everyday life. I anyone thinks I offended them let me know because I don't join many forums because of that fact and this place has the best rules and is a well moderated site.

 

[allenpilk]

That would be so cool if it is built.

 

[soul products]

night vision setting then ud be ninja cheif

 

[KevlarSpartan]

@ iSUPERNOOB: Short of having fiber-optic leads for the camera systems, DreamHazard suggested i boot directly to the HUD system, which would be preferrable when it comes down to it. I haven't looked into a way of making the HUD (the one that will show up on the screen) interactive, but i have toiled with this option:



1. For the weapon status, i haven't figured how to monitor ammo, but i have a way of notifying me whether im holding something (i know, i know, it sounds silly, of course i'd know if im holding something) or if there is a weapon in a holster or holding pouch. For such a system, i would use a pressure switch, so that when the 'slightest' force is applied, then an LED will light up in my helmet to tell me there is something there (hopefully not a stuck plasma grenade!!! :eek )



2. For any other things, say, grenades for example, i would use the same system, but slightly different. For the LED to light up, i would use the metal body of the grenade to complete a circuit between two points, and the grenade will be held on with neodymium magnets and a small clamp just to make sure. I will do this for all 'nade pouches and have LED lights for each. Simple, yet effective, and takes like 2 seconds to set-up.



3. Just to make EXTRA sure of everything, i will attach the same type of warning LED system to the parts of my suits, to tell me if they are properly connected and locked so they don't fall off.



And P.S: I have know idea why cool tech builds live outside the country, perhaps just because they can lol Kudos'!





@ DreamHazard: A degree in computing eh', i would have liked to have done that, but im finishing a course in electronics engineering. As in the previous post, your idea bout the boot would probs work, i could even perhaps create a cache of the camera feed to reduce lag, to the effect of something like 0.001 seconds off and whatnot. I was considering a mapping system, but the best option for me would be one of the GPS's you get for your car. They're small enough to fit on the forearm, and don't require me to pay for any wireless (which cuts out a lot in Australia). The other technician i work with suggested Ubuntu as well, he seems to like it, so i thought "Why not?". No probs with the kudos', good posts get good comments.



So once again, Kudos'!



@ Anubis4451: lidar...lidar..that's light dectection and ranging if i remember. I haven't looked into those systems much, are they rather expensive??? Because that would make an awesome motion sensor.



And no need to say sorry, i'll take all the good comments i can get!



@ allenpilk: THX!



@ soul products: I originally did want to do that, but i'd have to get some black paint and chopsticks.



Cheers all! I'm going to get all the parts in a few days, so stay tuned!

 

[DreamHazard]

Just a thought for you, if you're using a digital camera, if you can get IR LED spots, you can have night vision. Pretty much all digital cameras/webcams can see IR light, just point a TV remote at it, press a button and you'll see it flashing on the screen. You make an IR filter from (if I remember rightly) an exposed or developed piece of film (can't remember which I'm afraid) so you can filter out the visible light and just have the IR (pointless, it's better to use the same camera for normal vision and night vision, although you could possibly have a filter on a rail so it slides over the lens and you can have cool night vision effects instantly... I don't think it's worth it though.



Bear in mind if you're using IR spots, your suit's lights will be invisible to people, but CCTV/police helicopters would see you lit up like a beacon. Just in case you were planning on going Tom Clancy =P



You can buy a USB GPS Dongle which will work on linux systems, not sure if they're any good, but it may be worth looking into. I think I saw one in the UK for about 20GBP



As for the motion sensor, I don't think it'd be a feasible option. When you move in the suit, any objects you pass will show up. You'd need some way for the system to differentiate between a hostile and a lamp post.



Try looking into Linux From Scratch. I'd suggest starting up a community project (Google wave is good for this) where people can contribute to a LFS system



@Anubis4451: We're a community! projects like that can be workload spread over the Internet and everyone can contribute, greatly reducing time required to produce a project. Plus a simple stripped out Linux system would work in the interim



@Kevlar: that said, you'd be best of beginning with xubuntu, which has a much smaller memory footprint. Also, if you can get an efficient cache for the camera it would work, but you're best looking at other things too, such as using an interface other than USB. If you can get hold of a FireWire camera it may help a lot, the FireWire interface is much faster than USB USB vs FireWire



The main problem with using Linux is drivers. You may find it difficult to get the parts you need working with Linux, so get forum dredging before you buy any kit. Measure twice and all that