Copyright © Shimmer 2017
Realtime Technologies Ltd Shimmer User Manual
All rights reserved Rev3p
39
5. Firmware
At Shimmer we provide a range of stock firmware solutions for use on the Shimmer platform;
however, a user is free to develop their own firmware solution should they wish to do so. Shimmer
firmware solutions have been developed to ensure Shimmer users benefit from some of the most
efficient and effective wireless sensing solutions available, availing of low power communications
and a flexible, highly configurable framework. Section 5.1 below outlines our existing Shimmer
firmware solutions, whilst Section 5.3 provides information on firmware development for Shimmer.
The Consensys application allows for the Shimmer unit to be programmed with the appropriate
firmware solution when docked in the Shimmer Dock or Consensys Base. This process is explained in
more detail in Section 3.2.5.
5.1. Firmware Solutions
Whilst LogAndStream and SDLog are complete firmware solutions, provided by Shimmer to support
Shimmer IDs, Shimmer APIs, Multi Shimmer Sync for Android and Consensys software, the additional
solutions described in this section are intended to help new users to become familiar with the
Shimmer platform and to be a starting point for users who are developing their own custom
firmware solutions.
5.1.1. LogAndStream
LogAndStream firmware is a complete data recording solution which merges features from our
previous Shimmer3 firmware releases. The LogAndStream firmware facilitates logging of data from a
Shimmer3 to the on-board SD card while also providing the ability to simultaneously stream data
over wireless connection to a Bluetooth-enabled PC. The firmware allows for full user configuration
of the Shimmer3 using a configuration file stored on the SD card, over Bluetooth using the provided
Consensys software application and is also fully compatible with the Shimmer Instrument Drivers.
LogAndStream Firmware can be used with a Shimmer3 device with a microSD card, with capacity up
to 32Gbytes. For Shimmer compatibility the microSD card chosen must implement 1-bit SPI mode.
The Shimmer3 is shipped with a compatible microSD card. A Shimmer Dock or Consensys Base is
required to allow access the SD card on the Shimmer from the PC for configuration of logging
preferences and data transfer. Please note that legacy (black) Shimmer docks are not suitable for
this purpose and a newer (white) dock is required.
The source code is also openly available for any able user who may wish to modify or customise it to
their own needs or, indeed, to use it as the basis for a new firmware application; see Section 5.3 for
more details and resources for developing firmware.
Using the firmware
The LogAndStream firmware provides a seamless integration of SDLog (i.e. logging Shimmer3 data to
an on-board microSD card) and streaming Shimmer3 data back to "host" device over Bluetooth. The
LogAndStream firmware has been designed such that a user can still utilise the Shimmer3 in a purely
Bluetooth only or SDLog mode if they desire – with the additional capability of doing both
simultaneously.
To Next Page
Loading...
