Hi everyone. First post here.
I'm an electrical engineer by education but I changed careers a decade ago so I'm not updated with the microcontroller world anymore. Lately I got into the hobby of restoring/fixing cars. Dead instrument clusters are always a problem, so I thought of modernizing and putting in a customized digital display that includes readouts of water temps, oil temp/pressures, speed, air-fuel ratios, etc.
Googling around I found CrystalFontz and the OLED displays like the CFAL12864L-G-B2 piqued my interest:
Of course I would need a microcontroller to use it for my purposes. Since this is for an automotive application, my requirements would be:
- capable of interfacing with the OLED above or other CrystalFontz products
- 12-24 channel ADCs to read multiple automotive sensors
- A few DAC outputs for analog gauge displays
- A few high-power outputs for controlling relays/actuators if needed
- Datalogging is an option
Although I haven't touched a microprocessor in maybe 10 years, I'd say I still would be comfortable with them. I was a prolific C programmer during my time, and some ASM for Z80, 80xx, 68xx and yes the 6502 from the Apple II for those who remember it. Was also fairly decent with digital and power electronics, so I'm ok reading datasheets and timing charts.
Googling again I found products from TERN that seemed promising. But searching this forum their name didn't come up so I guess there are more popular products out there.
So how do I start coming back to the fold? Any good FAQs out there to refresh an oldie like me?
I'm an electrical engineer by education but I changed careers a decade ago so I'm not updated with the microcontroller world anymore. Lately I got into the hobby of restoring/fixing cars. Dead instrument clusters are always a problem, so I thought of modernizing and putting in a customized digital display that includes readouts of water temps, oil temp/pressures, speed, air-fuel ratios, etc.
Googling around I found CrystalFontz and the OLED displays like the CFAL12864L-G-B2 piqued my interest:
Of course I would need a microcontroller to use it for my purposes. Since this is for an automotive application, my requirements would be:
- capable of interfacing with the OLED above or other CrystalFontz products
- 12-24 channel ADCs to read multiple automotive sensors
- A few DAC outputs for analog gauge displays
- A few high-power outputs for controlling relays/actuators if needed
- Datalogging is an option
Although I haven't touched a microprocessor in maybe 10 years, I'd say I still would be comfortable with them. I was a prolific C programmer during my time, and some ASM for Z80, 80xx, 68xx and yes the 6502 from the Apple II for those who remember it. Was also fairly decent with digital and power electronics, so I'm ok reading datasheets and timing charts.
Googling again I found products from TERN that seemed promising. But searching this forum their name didn't come up so I guess there are more popular products out there.
So how do I start coming back to the fold? Any good FAQs out there to refresh an oldie like me?
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