Microsquirt Modules for Academic use

[Bruce Bowling]

As everyone knows, the MegaSquirt project's major charter is to educate on engine controls. And in the past we have sponsored many schools and universities and many projects like FSAE, Super Mileage, etc. With the MicroSquirt Module there is a real opportunity for schools and teams to build up their own custom ECU which are tailored to their setup. Designing a motherboard which uses the module is easy to do, and it allows a bunch of upgrade options and ideas to make it your own design - add Bluetooth, GPS, CAN modules, redundant controls etc, anything you want. Go to http://www.sparkfun.com for ideas on various modules that you could put on your dream board

Currently, MegaSquirts are used in the classroom and vocational schools all over the world to teach basic engine control theory and electronic concepts. The module format allows the clever instructor to come up with their own main board that could illustrate how the electronics and software come together for engine controls. You can even run small engines on propane or larger V8 engines on dyno teststands.

So... for instructors, professors, or team members on activities such as FSAE, Super Mileage, etc., we may have a limited number of Modules available for donation to your school. All we ask is that you actually use the module for the application and point the students back to the MegaSquirt/MicroSquirt site for them to interact with others on the forum. And putting a sticker on your ride is also good! We also want you to post your efforts on the MS Success Stories page so that others can see and learn.

For information on obtaining the module you can contact me direct (PM) and give me a rundown on your application. You will need to develop your base board. I suggest getting one of the freeware PCB CAD tools to draw up the board - a list of tools is available on http://www.olimex.com/pcb/dtools.html. To get the boards made there are many choices out there. I have had good luck with Advanced Circuits (http://www.4pcb.com/ - search for their "33each" promo for 2-layer boards) and there are a ton of other vendors out there for very low cost PCBs.

We are finally at a point where we have engine controls in a "building-block" format - use this block along with other "blocks" that are available to come up with your own killer system.

- Bruce

[racingmini_mtl]

Bruce,

Since you mention SparkFun, they also have a board fabrication service with competitive prices and a bunch of tutorials on designing and assembling boards. This is a nice place to get started.

Jean

[Greg_E]

I found that AP Circuits in Canada was significantly cheaper than 4PCB with their standard thick boards, even after the $30 shipping is worked in.

The only problem with batchPCB (Sparkfun service) is the rules that they need to hit, my boards would not pass the Batch PCB check, but went right through with AP Circuits and 4PCB. My boards were designed in FreePCB software which as the title suggests is free for personal use, and probably for educational use too.