After receiving the notice that I was part of this challenge, the shipper UPS, has been sending me emails regarding delivery dates. They have over promised and under delivered on the date that I would receive the shipment. I got an email that E14 challenge organizers had selected me on March 25. The shipper’s initial promise was a delivery for Wednesday, April 6. I received the shipment on Monday, April 11.
Unlike the shipper, I have a concern that I may have over promised and will under deliver in this challenge. For that reason, I'm calling the second blog post Assessment. Depending on the outcome, there may be more.
My challenge was to detect a model train locomotive using the current sense. After receiving the product, I have been doing researched looking for documentation. My research suggests I may not have sufficient skills and knowledge to complete the challenge. This has given me reason to question whether I should proceed.
I expressed my concerns about the challenge to the coordinator. I offered to return the product so another individual could take part. He offered some encouragement. I suggested, before conceding defeat, I wanted to look to the E14 Community to discover what resources they might offer to support my efforts to complete the challenge.
Here are the resource links I have found for the product.
- https://download.mikroe.com/documents/brochure/1000-clicks-catalog-2021.pdf
- https://www.mikroe.com/current-6-click
- https://libstock.mikroe.com/projects/view/4890/current-6-click
- https://www.mikroe.com/pi-3-click-shield
- https://libstock.mikroe.com/projects/view/2178/click-examples-raspberry-pi-3
- https://github.com/MikroElektronika/mikrosdk_click_v2
Here are my knowledge gaps:
- I have found no details on the installation and configuration of the product on the Raspberry Pi.
- I have found no details on installing the MAX40080 sensor.
- I have found no python library for the MAX40080 sensor in order to take readings.
After reading the blog posts by misza, I am concerned I am in over my head in this challenge. I assumed the vendor supported this product with documents to guide the user. The Blog #2: Introduction to MAX40080 blog post doesn’t reflect that. Using specification sheets for the actual chip misza is making things work. It has been a very long time since I have done that. My research seems to confirm I have a large knowledge gap.
I believe from the details in misza second blog post I can partially fill my first knowledge gaps. If you are struggling, I strongly recommend you read the post. misza appears to have the skills and knowledge to be successful in this challenge.
I have asked the coordinator for a week’s grace to determine if I can garner sufficient knowledge to complete the challenge before deciding to withdraw. Finding documentation or better, finding useful documentation can be a challenge in any project. I'm struggling with that at the moment.
I'm going to use the details in misza blog to continue and blog what I discover so that it can help others. I’m not confident I can deliver on my challenge, I'm looking to the E14 Community for any support you might have to offer.