Component Selection Rationale

Microcontroller Comparison PIC 18F4680 $6.08 PIC18F family mandated by Purdue Solar 64Kb Flash 44pin TQFP (36 I/O) Integrated CAN, I2C modules ATMEL AT90CAN32 $4.50/10000 32Kb Flash 64pin LQFP (53 I/O) Integrated CAN etc New technology (Dec 2005)

Power Supply Comparison LTC1174-5 Efficiency drops below 90% with load >100mA and input voltage at 12Vdc

Power Supply Comparison MAX1684 Better efficiency all the way up to 1A

LCD Comparison matrix Orbital 20 x 4 Serial LCD Module 10mA draw for LCD 90mA typical draw for backlight Weighs less than 1 lb Crystalfonz CFA-634 Serial 9mA draw for LCD 441mA draw for LCD Graphics capable

Packaging design Design constraint Dark inside the solar car Driver is busy all the time Noise level Vibration level

Serpac Plastic Enclosures LCD display Backlight is needed Font need to be readable Connectors 6-pin MTE connector. RS232 serial port Interfacing Push buttons LED indicators

Taking BMW I-drive as a Ref. Text-Base Menu System Control by a Position with pushbutton User be able to push to select or exit Mount on the steering wheels

Operation Mode During a race Pit stopping Turn on and off the power tracker Real time monitoring the car’s status Pit stopping Debugging Mode Provide useful information to terminal in PC

Pending Prototype Design

PCB Footprint for major components 5 inch 3 in