Hi Mark, I would be interested in developing USB firmware for the PIC32 that meets your CAN-USB adaptor goals. I have experience writing USB firmware for multiple USB Device classes (not just plain serial), including working with the Microchip USB Stack. I purchased the OVMS v2 with the goal of learning more about CAN signaling on my Roadster. I haven't actually used the device because I'm not primarily interested in getting a SIM card and paying for network access. I wanted to support your efforts at making a hardware platform, and I figured that I could just write my own custom hardware for recording and analyzing CAN messages. Unfortunately, as you're probably aware, the OVMS v2 is not immediately useful for my project. Also, I can imagine that you know what it's like to have more ideas than time. The only question is how to incentivize the effort. It would be ideal if you could pay for the PIC32 USB firmware development, but I can see how that might not be within your budget. Another alternative is to just send me the new platform, and I might be able to make some progress. On that note, I would be willing to review the hardware designs before you make prototypes, just to see if I think there is anything missing in the hardware circuitry. Since I have experience designing USB platforms based on the PIC and other embedded processors, it might be worth having a second set of eyes look over the design. Also, with my combined hardware and firmware design experience, I think I have a particularly good sense of what makes a good hardware platform for particular firmware projects. Let me know what you think. To reiterate, I'm willing to look at the hardware design without charging anything. The reward for me will be enough to know that a new platform that I like will be made. As for firmware design, I'm hoping that some sort of compensation can be arranged, because that is much more effort. However, I think we may be able to work something out that is mutually beneficial. Brian Willoughby Sound Consulting p.s. Regarding my existing OVMS v2, I would actually enjoy having the SIM card working for when I charge on the road, but it's just not a priority. On Aug 28, 2013, at 18:25, Mark Webb-Johnson wrote:
P.S. What I would really like to do is get the OVMS CAN-USB adaptor working, and then give those out in large quantities. The more people decoding vehicle CAN communications, the more cars become open vehicles. But, to do that I need some one / people to step forward and help with this. The China manufacturer is standing by and asking me for the circuit diagram, but I've got too much on my plate at the moment to take on the CAN-USB hardware and firmware as well. Using a PIC32 microprocessor (with built-in USB support), and MCP2551 CAN controller, we can do this for a materials cost perhaps around US$30 (vs US$150 retail for the cheapest commercial units). I'll send out a separate 'appeal' for this, and see if anyone will step forward to help.