Variations Car Computer Development

Variations Car Computer Development

Imagine, in your car there is a computer that allows it to perform a variety of jobs, enjoy the entertainment along the way, and have a digital map when you start to get lost on the way. Your friend can still say hello via chat applications like Yahoo Messenger.

The various facilities currently can be done with the help of computers installed in the car. Computer car is no longer difficult to be realized. You will be much helped, because additional features can be installed in the car computer, according to taste and needs.

To find a range of possibilities that can be done with the car computer, the tests on the 2005 Honda CRV. Been loaned this car by PT Honda Prospect Motor to the Foundation Airputih while working at the disaster site in Aceh (2005) and Yogyakarta (2006).

Hardware

The main hardware in this system is the central processing unit (CPU). To facilitate the installation of production casing Trivia use the same standard in the car audio device (measuring 1 din, 17.78 cm wide and 5.08 cm high), so no need to do a lot of modifications to the interior of the car.



The motherboard used Mini-ITX size (17 cm x 17 cm). To reduce the heat, chosen motherboard medium speed, namely the VIA EPIA M6000, using VIA Eden 600 MHz processor, reliably enough to run applications based on Windows XP.

For storage media, used 40 GB 2.5-inch hard drive, which is designed to be more shock resistant than regular 3.5-inch hard drive. CPU is also equipped with a DVD player.

At the front of the computer there are two USB ports version 2.0, to install a variety of devices that conform to the USB standard. We can use a USB keyboard for typing. Data transfer can be done from or to a USB Flash. Bluetooth connection is obtained by attaching a bluetooth interface to the USB slot.

Connection to the internet using GPRS or CDMA can be done by connecting the phone to a USB port. While the car is running, we can connect to the internet while it is within the scope of the service provider.



Monitors are used also has a 1 din size, so it can be mounted easily on the car tape holder. When not in use, the screen folds and into the box, similar to the workings of a TV that has a lot of used cars. Although the computer can be connected to a TV monitor, you should use an SVGA monitor with a resolution up to 468 x 800 pixels (wide type) 7 inches in diameter.

To make it easier to control the computer, the monitor also function as a touch screen for a replacement mouse. With the touch of a finger, can do some simple functions, for example to enable the music player application, or adjust the volume of music played.

The touch screen can be written, such as the use of graffiti feature on PDA, as a replacement keyboard for typing. Operating system Windows XP Tablet PC version an attractive choice because it is designed to optimize the use of touch-screen computers.

The electrical system

Differences car computer with a regular computer is the electrical system. Computers use a power supply unit that will transform 220 volt AC current into 12 volt DC electric current.

In the car there is a 12 Volt DC power source, but the quality of electric cars depends on engine rpm, causing unstable flow. To overcome this problem, use a power supply unit that is designed for cars. Devices M2-ATX power supplies production mini-box.com able to work with power supplies ranging from 6-24 Volts.

The power supply unit can detect when the engine dies, and set the computer to enter hybernate mode. A few minutes later, the current into the computer disconnected, to prevent problems with the car battery if you forget to turn off the computer when to turn off the car.

Enhancements

The use of the car computer as a medium of entertainment can be done easily. With a hard drive capacity is large enough, we can store thousands of songs in MP3 format. We can also play MP3, Audio CD, VCD, or DVD. With TV Tunner that plugs into a USB slot, we can enjoy television broadcasts. It should be added also a TV antenna on the roof of the car.

The computer can also be aandal navigational aids, by adding GPS receivers (with the USB port or serial port). Do not forget to install a navigation app such as Ozi Explorer, and enter the required map.

For certain areas, such as Jakarta which already has detailed maps, navigation system accuracy is quite high. For other areas, especially outside the city, province map to select a reliable intercity roads.

In this 2005 Honda CRV, enhancements installed system 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, using a Mikrotik Routerboard RB112 production, which is equipped with two wireless interfaces. One is connected to a WiFi antenna on the roof, and another uses an internal antenna. RB112 devices are small enough size (14 cm x 8.5 cm) can be installed in the jack storage box at the rear of the car.

In addition to the wireless device, network RB112 has many features, such as being a router, gateway or hotspot. If the car is in the WiFi service coverage, RB112 can serve as a gateway and forwards the car computer to access the Internet, and other laptops in the car.

If there is no WiFi access from the outside, the computer can access using GPRS or CDMA, RB112 can organize and distribute connectivity to other laptops and the area around the car.

Each person may have different options for the development of the computer. Many features can be installed on the car computer, along with a lot of devices use USB functions, and ultimately improve our productivity, because when driving though, there is a computer station next to us who are ready to help.