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Now working for the European Space Agency

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:41:00 +0200

I am now working for the European Space Agency (also known as ESA). Most of my work is considered confidential, so i can't go into it here, but I am part of the development process of several satellites! For my job at the ESA i have to travel allot.

Netbeans plugin for AVR microcontrollers

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:24:00 +0100

In the beginning of November 2011, I posted an article on NetBeans Zone about implementing AVR microcontroller support for NetBeans IDE. For the last month (in my spare time) I have been working to create the first plugin that brings the IDE closer to realizing that goal.

I have already released a beta version of the RS232 plugin and i will release the first beta for AVR support in the Netbeans IDE soon!

The RS232 window is capable of receiving RS232 communication data and display this data in either ASCII (plain text), hexadecimal, octal or binary values; sending data to the device in either ASCII or hexadecimal values; logging the data to a log file; changing COM port, baud, # databits, parity, stopbits, and some handy UI stuff. The plugin also has some public API packages that other NetBeans RCP developers can use to implement RS232 communication in their own applications.

See http://java.net/projects/nbplugin-avr for the latest release and sources (GPL-2.0).

I am currently looking for people who are willing to join the project and help develop and/or test the plugin!

What do programmers listen to all day? The Java Song!

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:19:00 +0100

As a programmer and computer specialist I can tell you that, even tough this song is awesome, it is not something we listen to all day. However I can tell you that ALL Java programmers will get a big smile on there face when they listen to this!

Proposal: C/C++ with AVR Microcontroller Plugin AVRDUDE

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:15:00 +0100

For several years now I've noticed a lack of support in NetBeans IDE for the embedded systems world. I want to address this problem.

In Eclipse and Microsoft Visual Studio, there are plugins/alternative versions to allow developers to program C/C++ code for embedded devices. So far NetBeans IDE only supports the development of microchip microcontrollers (MCU) via the MPLAB X IDE, which is an extended version of NetBeans IDE.

However, most enthusiasts use Atmel MCU's and Arduino platforms (based on Atmel). Although there are workarounds available to use NetBeans IDE as an Atmel MCU IDE, it is still not an optimal solution.

See:
Developing for AVR with NetBeans
AVRFreaks AVR with NetBeans

Proposal

I propose to create a new plugin for NetBeans IDE that allows an embedded engineer to compile and upload their code to an MCU by utilizing AVRDUDE.

To create this functionality, we have to extend the existing C/C++ plugin with new features. After compiling a hex file, with the avr-gcc toolchain, the program AVRDUDE needs to be executed. The actual uploading of the compiled program is then handled by AVRDUDE, which is open source (see AVRDUDE).

To make the whole picture complete, the plugin also needs an AVR simulator to debug en test the written code. For this we could use http://www.nongnu.org/simulavr/. And, because embedded devices often use UART (RS232) to communicate with a computer, an RS232 implementation is also needed (see RXTX lib).

Summary

The proposed features are as follows:

Uploading compiled program by calling AVRDUDE after compilation
Configuring AVRDUDE for the selected MCU target (Settings)
Code completion for Atmel AVR
Integration of Arduino development plugin (Arduino Development using Netbeans)
Integration of Arduino libraries / processing
An AVR simulator to debug en test code
A RS232 monitoring tool/window

I am committed to make this work! However, before I begin, I would like to hear your thoughts and ideas. Or maybe there are other NetBeans Platform developers willing to contribute to the development of this plugin?

Advance Invoice System

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:30:00 +0100

When I released the Simple Invoice Manager (SIM) over a year ago (also see Invoices For Barack Obama On The NetBeans Platform) I didn't expect to get so much attention to this very simple program. Eventhoug the SIM was completely functional it wasn't meant for actual usage. It was a program created for demonstration purposes only. Since then I have received several requests from people if they could use the program.
Because of this I have decided to create a new program, the Advance Invoice System (AIS), based on the Netbeans Platform.

The proposed features of the first release are as follows:

Adding / Altering / Removing Invoices & customers;
Server application for storage of invoices and other data
- xml based communication between client and server;
- Acces control management
- database (in XML, MySQL or similar, this is yet to be defined)
Product management
- Adding / Altering / Removing products
- Linking / unlinking product with invoice
- Product tax management
Shipment management
- Adding / Altering / Removing shipment methods.

The target audience for this application will be small businesses, freelancers and other small entrepreneurs.

The project is going to be released with the GPL license and will be completely open-source.

People interested in joining the development effort are welcome. The project has already started and can be found at Kenai.

Started working at Logica

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:45:00 +0200

Yesterday I got my leasecar and today was my first day at Logica as an Embedded systems engineer!

Wind turbine race 2011

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:51:00 +0200

After the amazing success of last years international “Racing Aeolus 2009” and “Racing Aeolus 2010” at Ringkøbing-Skjern airport in Denmark, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam is again participating in the ”Racing Aeolus 2011” that is held in the Netherlands. I will again be participating in this race.

We have allot of new ideas this year and upgrading the drive-by-wire computer in the car is one of them. Since last year we have gathered allot of new experiance with creating a drive-by-wire computer in the Spirit of Amsterdam 2 and the H2A vehicle. The lessons we learned during these two project will be incorperated in the design of the 2011 wind vehicle.

Graduated!!

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:40:00 +0200

After almost 4 years I have completed my bachalors degree with cum laude!

First test flight (Video)

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:24:00 +0200

The first test flight of my quadrocopter. This quadrocopter was build as my graduation project for Logica Working Tomorrow.

QuadroCopter PID Test (Video)

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:17:00 +0200

Testing the PID controller on my quadrocopter that I build for my bachelor graduation project and internship at Logica Working Tomorrow.

Logica Quadrocopter engine test (Video)

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:17:00 +0100

Just before Xmas I was able to do the first test flight with the quadrocopter that I am building for my graduation assignment.

With this test flight i was able to show my project leader that it will be able to lift sufficient weight to carry the onboard computer + payload.

Because the onboard system is not finished yet, we were unable to control the 4 engines separately and as a result were unable to steer the craft. So to do the test we simply put all the engines to full throttle and connected the quadrocopter to the desk with duck-tape and string (my version of a high-tech test environment)

First place at the wind turbine race

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:23:00 +0200

After the amazing success of last years international “Racing Aeolus” race at Ringkøbing-Skjern airport in Denmark, the ‘Hogeschool van Amsterdam’ has again won the 2010 race.

For more info visit the Spirit of Amsterdam page or visit the official website.

Graduation assignment at logica

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:34:00 +0200

Everything must come to an end! This, sadly, is also true for my studies at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Only one more semester and than i'm done. But before i graduate, i need to complete a graduation assignment. I have chosen to do this at logica.nl.

My assignment:
For my assignment i'm going to build a quadro copter with automatic gps navigation.

What is a quadro copter?:
"A quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadrocopter, is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadrotors are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is derived from four rotors. They can also be classified as helicopters, though unlike standard helicopters, quadrotors use fixed-pitch blades, whose rotor pitch does not vary as the blades rotate. Control of vehicle motion can be achieved by varying the relative speed of each rotor to change the thrust and torque produced by each." as described on wikipedia.

RPM measurement with GEL2474

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:27:00 +0200

For my project "The Spirit of Amsterdam" we have to measure the speed of the vehicle. To do this we use the 'Lenord + Bauer Speed Sensor Gel 2474' with an optocoupler to deliver the data to an atmega32. The code however remains private until the race in Denmark except for the documentation which can be downloaded here.

Download

Measurement Specification

Oneway Serial communication Library

Sat, 08 May 2010 01:36:00 +0200

A couple of days ago I got inspired to write a serial communications library in the C programming language to facilitate one-way communication between two atmega32 devices.

I know that implementing a one-way serial communication library isn't always practical. Mainly because a one-way connection limits the possibilities for an implementor to do creative stuff with, but in my case, for my home project it was exactly what I wanted.

With just a few modifications, it should be possible to implement a two-way connection, and maybe at a later time I will be inspired to do it myself.

Will be Continued......

Download:

Library specification

C Library source code

Simple Invoice Manager

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:17:00 +0100

A simple mysql database driven invoice manager. It keeps track of all your invoices for your customers. There is a working demo available in the download section of the simple invoice manager page as well as the source code.

Spirit of Amsterdam

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:30:00 +0100

Today I joined the "Spirit of Amsterdam" team. The international “Racing Aeolus” race will be held at the Ringkøbing-Skjern airport in denmark and the "Spirit of Amsterdam" wil be participating in the race. Last year, the "Spirit of Amsterdam" came first place and we are hoping to repeat this feat.

The mean goal of the race is to drive as fast as possible against the wind with a vehicle being driven on wind energy. The Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) will be participating in the race of 2010. The vehicle is being built by students of several faculties, teachers and outside experts.

More information wil be available on a later date.

Te Anau and Milford Sound

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:15:00 +0100

In this video you can watch me and my friends visit Te Anau and Milford Sound in New Zealand. This day was very memorable. We witnessed many incredible things like waterfalls, snow, fjords and dolfins.

Christchurch in New Zealand

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:09:00 +0100

Cristchurch in New Zealand.

Bungy jumping in New Zealand

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:10:00 +0100

Watch me jump of a bridge bungy style.