Arduino Communication:

• Currently at the stage where I can start integrating the sandbox code into the existing RCS system.
• Realized that because we are going to use the Arduino as a strain gauge reader, there will need to have a second piece of data feeding this information to the computer.
• I am going to start the communication integration by trying to get the test stick to move one of the “fingers” in the 3d simulation.

Speaker-amplifiers-shakers:

• I am not sure if 1 watt is good enough for the tactile sensation we are trying to get.
• Somethings to experiment with

1. 15W 25mm transducer:  http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-377 (If we need more power these are what we need)
2. 1W 13mm transducer: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-379 (It maybe that 1 watt is enough if we use a transducer instead of a speaker)
3. Bass Shaker: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-388 (For an added thump on initial contact)
4. relatively low-powered 38W peak amplifier: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9612 (Not entirely sure this is the best bet yet.  It would be nice to find one that can be digitally controlled but it might be possible to drive this with our 1 watt amps as a preamp.  It could also be possible to replace the trim pots with 10k potentiometers.  The problem with the i2c 10k pots I found before is that they are not addressable.  If we do go with i2c potentiometers, the response time would be almost instant as opposed to the minor pulsing delays of our 1 watt amplifiers.  It is probably best to drive them with a preamp, so that the max power is hardwired, protecting the 15 watt transducers and shaker.  This limit can also be controlled by reducing the input power though.)

• I am going to look a bit deeper into amplifiers before sending you this list to order.
• Sent e-mail for order

Monday Arduino Communication:

• Serial.write(buf, len)  does the same thing for the arduino as the windows WriteFile allowing to send arrays.