Open Source Dive Computer
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OldNSalty
Contributor
Well, that is a real nice feature then-downloading the source code-and I assume you can then modify it yourself? Academically interesting but I still think there is a danger here. How do they handle testing and distribution? Can I pop up a website and offer my version for download. I love open source but I do not know if it has ever been used in something as dangerous as diving. The deviant hacker, or the incompetent developer could quit literally kill someone in this case.
It's now 629 euros. Just give me a VR3 and be done with this..
ScubaBase
Registered
No no, I am sorry OldNSalty. You were definitely right. Open Source means unambiguously that you can alter, modify, change, add, remove code from the program (as for Linux). But important to know is: you don't have to. Just use the standard release and enjoy diving safely.
Of course in time some divers will add new functionality (for example deep stops) or other companies will add hardware (for example gas pressure transmission). Finally a truly tested new version will be released for free to be used by the OSTC dive community. And it is up you to decide to upload this new release.
Pro's or hyperbaric medical centers can use the OSTC with a modified decompression scheme according to their needs. They can add whatever functionality they want, software or even hardware. The OSTC concept makes it possible.
On the other hand, as you previously mentioned, changes do not have to be published to the OSTC dive community. One can alter the software primarily for own use.
The whole concept of the OSTC is focussed on future growth (but it is a fully functional dive computer, like any other dive computer). The OSTC is a very innovative piece of engeneering. Recall that the battery is replaced by a rechargable battery. Therefore more power consuming components can by used (the bright display for example) and gives other manufacturers enough power for their electronics. On the ScubaBase web pages (follow the link "Additional information" on the OSTC page) you can read more about program performance issues, memory capacity, adding new hardware and adapting the software accordingly.
And you are right: the display is surely not oversized. But I can assure you that when you look at the display when the instrument is on you have never seen such a clear and bright display.
Of course in time some divers will add new functionality (for example deep stops) or other companies will add hardware (for example gas pressure transmission). Finally a truly tested new version will be released for free to be used by the OSTC dive community. And it is up you to decide to upload this new release.
Pro's or hyperbaric medical centers can use the OSTC with a modified decompression scheme according to their needs. They can add whatever functionality they want, software or even hardware. The OSTC concept makes it possible.
On the other hand, as you previously mentioned, changes do not have to be published to the OSTC dive community. One can alter the software primarily for own use.
The whole concept of the OSTC is focussed on future growth (but it is a fully functional dive computer, like any other dive computer). The OSTC is a very innovative piece of engeneering. Recall that the battery is replaced by a rechargable battery. Therefore more power consuming components can by used (the bright display for example) and gives other manufacturers enough power for their electronics. On the ScubaBase web pages (follow the link "Additional information" on the OSTC page) you can read more about program performance issues, memory capacity, adding new hardware and adapting the software accordingly.
And you are right: the display is surely not oversized. But I can assure you that when you look at the display when the instrument is on you have never seen such a clear and bright display.
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ScubaBase
Registered
Well, I am now using my VR3 for many years (2002) for air and trimix open circuit. And I have to admit: it works fine, except for the display. I had to buy the big character set feature. On the other hand when I think of the 1400,- Euro which I had to pay and I think of the 629,- Euro for the OSTC which is equivalent to the VR3 I feel uncomfortable.
For one week now I did some quite convincing testing on the OSTC (refer to previous posts). Ok, there are some differences for example 5 gasses in the OSTC, 10 gasses in the VR3 and the absence of games. Well, up to now I have never used the games feature on my VR3.
Practically it seems to me that 5 gasses are more than enough: bottom gas in a twin system on the back, travel gas/1st deco on one side, 2nd deco on the other.
I definitely going to change to the OSTC.
And for 1400,- Euro I buy 2 OSTC's. Maybe some electronics company develops a wireless master-slave bridge for the OSTC.
For one week now I did some quite convincing testing on the OSTC (refer to previous posts). Ok, there are some differences for example 5 gasses in the OSTC, 10 gasses in the VR3 and the absence of games. Well, up to now I have never used the games feature on my VR3.
Practically it seems to me that 5 gasses are more than enough: bottom gas in a twin system on the back, travel gas/1st deco on one side, 2nd deco on the other.
I definitely going to change to the OSTC.
And for 1400,- Euro I buy 2 OSTC's. Maybe some electronics company develops a wireless master-slave bridge for the OSTC.
OldNSalty
Contributor
OK-sounds interesting. Will there be an IDE to support this? I might take a look at one once it is ready for release to the community.
The source code is already available, here is the latest firmware as binary and source: Firmware 1.17
Here are some explanations: Software and source code
It is written in C and Assembler, so not easy to read or modify.
Here are some explanations: Software and source code
It is written in C and Assembler, so not easy to read or modify.
ScubaBase
Registered
The OSTC is already released. You can buy it at engineering office HeinrichsWeikamp GbR or at several dive shops in Europe.
Manufacturer software:
- Actual release is firmware 1.17 (decompression software in binary format).
- Tiny Bootloader: Windows software to upload the binaries into the OSTC.
Third party software:
- Diving Log 4.0: Logbook for Windows and Pocket PC's.
- JDiveLog: Logbook for Windows, Linux and MacOS. It is GNU Open Source. Also supports binary upload, parameter settings and replay (refer previous posts). I assume that JDiveLog also runs on Sun's Solaris 10.
IDE:
- MPLAB v8.10 (Windows): assembler and c programming environment to develop applications for the OSTC. Creates binaries to be uploaded by Tiny Bootloader or JDiveLog. Supports debugging and simulation.
Maybe there are more.
Manufacturer software:
- Actual release is firmware 1.17 (decompression software in binary format).
- Tiny Bootloader: Windows software to upload the binaries into the OSTC.
Third party software:
- Diving Log 4.0: Logbook for Windows and Pocket PC's.
- JDiveLog: Logbook for Windows, Linux and MacOS. It is GNU Open Source. Also supports binary upload, parameter settings and replay (refer previous posts). I assume that JDiveLog also runs on Sun's Solaris 10.
IDE:
- MPLAB v8.10 (Windows): assembler and c programming environment to develop applications for the OSTC. Creates binaries to be uploaded by Tiny Bootloader or JDiveLog. Supports debugging and simulation.
Maybe there are more.
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