====== MaE Counter Panels ======

MaE Model Number: 16360IP

These are two big panels, each one providing 8 red and 8 green numbers of 3 digits of 7-segment displays.

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Technical data:
Dimensions: 775x480x85mm, weight 11kg.
Digits: 16 groups of 3 digits, 60mm height.
Power requirements: 230VAC 50Hz 100W.
Data link: IEEE 802.3 10MB/s ethernet link.
Protocol: proprietary MaE/Fobos 1.0 over port 1636.

===== Purpose and requirements =====

These "Counter Panels" have been developed for the [[http://www.easysagra.it|easySagra]] project.

We needed a way to display the number of ordered articles (thus "counter") in two different panels.

A TV flat panel was a direct solution, however not the best. Main requirements were:

  * Ethernet link, possibly without external additional interfaces;
  * Mechanical robustness to frequent mounting/unmounting/transport;
  * Mechanical robustness to hard environment (heat, moisture, oily smokes, etc);
  * Indicate 8 different articles, for each two different values ranging (1-999), thus 16 numbers of 3 digits, 8 per color;
  * Minimum dimensions such to ensure visibility from 4-6 meters of distance.

===== Development =====

Entire development has been made using Open Source Software. 
Exception for the initial sketch, made using google sketchup in wine environment.
{{:projects:counterpanels:pannello-vista1.png?200|}}

==== Chassis ====

Chassis has been designed using [[http://www.qcad.org|QCad]].
Main issues: easy assembly and disassembly, sufficient air flow, mounting points for all the contents.
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==== Displays ====

Each couple of displays (red and green for simplicity), is provided by a separate PCB.

PCBs have been designed using [[http://www.geda-project.org|gEDA]]. Then have been realized by professional service.

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==== Main board ====

An [[http://www.ethersex.de|ethersex]] based board have been used as main board and ethernet interfacing. A simple module has been written to drive display boards.
{{:projects:counterpanels:img_0140.jpg?200|}}

===== Realization =====

Two phases:
=== PCBs assembly ===
 repeated by 16 times (plus some spares).
{{:projects:counterpanels:img_0127.jpg?200|}}

=== Components assembly in the chassis ===
 repeated for the two panels. A particular attention for order and easy maintenance.


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===== Code and Improvements =====

First version finished august 2015.

Firmware code is available here: [[https://github.com/alezz/ethersex/tree/master/services/mae16360ip]]

April 2015 improvement: blink and beep.

New protocol specifications : [[http://boris.maetech.it/docs/proj/counterpanels/protocol_1.1.pdf]]