Computerized AEG Controller

[Gandolf]

Hi,

Little old me can't do everything    I am more of a hardware guy so some of the fancy features I leave to other folks that are far better at the software side.  I try to do the basic drivers to the hardware though so the software is as easy as possible write without worrying too much about hardware register level stuff.  Sinewave here has really done a lot of new features for the SW-Computer platform!!

I did early stuff on the Hall sensors but others started working on it so I left it over to them.  I am not sure it is really ready for prime time yet though.  Now with the more powerful Lion platform starting up, there may be easier options for precocking too.

@Skag187,

Check the thread here for what is available right now  

http://forums.airsoftmechanics.com/index.php?topic=1451.0

http://unconventional-airsoft.com/store/

http://extreme-fire.com/SW-CHEETAH.html

It's all open source stuff so anybody can do it too.  If you want to add features feel free to do it yourself if you wish.

I am not sure what AWSairsoft is up to right now.   They are independent and have a lot of totally fresh ideas and innovations too!  They taught me a lot of what I know  

Gandolf  (Terry of Extreme-Fire)

[skag187]

Gandolf/Terry, thanks for the rely, I kind of feel like I walked in on the middle of a movie here, and am playing catch up. I haven't been active in AS for almost 10 years, and wow things are really changing, its very exciting, and I would like to get involved . anything I an do to help with the development of new AS tech I will, I'm not a programmer per say, but know many who are quite good, I'm not an electronics engineer, but I am handy with a soldering iron, I'm not a machinist, but very mechanically minded, and quite good with my hands, as well as tools

thanks
excuse my diarrhea of the mouth,

[ajin]

Does computerisized mosfets make cut-off levers obsolete?
If you can program the mosfet to time singelfire shots there is no need to have it in the gearbox(v.3)?

[skag187]

Does computerisized mosfets make cut-off levers obsolete?
If you can program the mosfet to time singelfire shots there is no need to have it in the gearbox(v.3)?

my plan is to get rid of the switch contact entirely, using one micro switch for the trigger and another on the cutoff lever, or possibly directly off of the cutoff lever's cam on the sector gear

[liquidfury]

Hey Terry, got my chip in the mail.

Having some issues fitting the trigger wires through with the thick motor wires I have run. What is the minimum guage your would recommend for the trigger wires? I am thinking of using some 28 guage wire from an old ribbon cable.

[hunterseeker5]

Ok I don't know if this survey has been up for a long time and I am stupid and just haven't seen it before, but here is my take on it. In my current sane moment I would say I would prefer to save the parts. In the heat of the game I would curse you and your hardware for stopping my gun from firing when I needed it. And after the game I would probably regret the damage I had done. That said I think the most useful feature isn't an arbitrary cutoff, but a warning to stop you from firing. Perhaps something that would stop you mid burst, vibrate your grip, and allow you to keep firing. That way when I come back angry yelling at you for letting me break my gun you can say "I told you so." 

[jomarx]

Hey Terry, got my chip in the mail.

Having some issues fitting the trigger wires through with the thick motor wires I have run. What is the minimum guage your would recommend for the trigger wires? I am thinking of using some 28 guage wire from an old ribbon cable.

Its ok, since there aren't much current going trough the trigger wires.

[minity]

Terry!

Is it possible to remove the terminals on the Cheetah without damaging anything? Can I just solder the wires onto the board instead?

- minity

[jomarx]

@ minity

Yes, its possible. Make sure you have a good desoldering gun /soldering pump.

[MorskiBG]

Inspired from Terry's (and all others tech guys working on hall sensors area) work, I've created my own AEG controller. The MOSFETs' side is like discussed here, but the difference is in gathering the information. I'm using 4  hall switch sensor to monitor everything: 1. sector gear position; 2. trigger;  and two sensors for semi and auto fire mode. So, finally succeed to get rid of all mechanical switches. PROS: pre-cocking control and removing some mechanical parts, fast trigger reaction, and ability to switch fire modes when selector in in "SAFE" position (depending how long the trigger is "active" ) CONS: a lot of wires and mechanical changes in the gearbox, 2 PCBs (one for the sensors inside gearbox and one outside just like other controllers)  .

[Tacitus]

my plan is to get rid of the switch contact entirely, using one micro switch for the trigger and another on the cutoff lever, or possibly directly off of the cutoff lever's cam on the sector gear

Any progress with that?

[skag187]

none really to speak of, waiting for the Lion to come out, then I will still need help with the software part

so if any programmers out there think this is as great of an idea as I do please step in and help

2 people interested so far

[Tacitus]

I have absolutely no programming skills, otherwise I'd love to help. It seems about time that full electronic control is applied to AEGs. Cars have used the same technology for more than a century, but that technology has been refined with the integration of computers. I'd be very surprised if the big AEG companies, especially TM weren't working on a next generation of guns shipped with fully functional eletronic control systems installed.

Although that would take a lot of the fun out of it...

[skag187]

I doubt it, for them it's not "cost effective" to bring that sort of innovation into the marketplace at this time.
look at how big Systema failed with the revolution gearbox, and on paper I doubt that the PTW is very impressive either

It really comes down to the end user demands to bring this sort of thing to light, much less the marketplace

so the hobbyists design it, build it, develop a following, turn a profit, and the either the concept gets bought, ripped off, reverse engineered, or cloned. by then its common, therefore standard OEM equipment

sux, but seems to be the way of things

[Tacitus]

Yeah good point, the big companies are all about their quarterly returns...

Plus buying a kit from a fellow hobbyist and modifying/installing it yourself is a lot more satisfying than buying something mass produced and pre-assembled.

But I like the idea of serious airsoft developers being able to work on their projects full time, without having to worry about keeping down a day job. Hopefully as the sport grows, more people will be able to do that.