Instructors Requirements
- Keoma Brun
This page describes the hardware and software requirements for instructor to have before starting the Dust Academy courses.
Hardware
Network Devices
First you need to buy DC9021B SmartMesh IP kits. The price for one kit is $750.00. Each kit has 5 motes and 2 managers than is ideal for 2-3 students. You can also buy each device individually.
They are available on Analog Device.
Sensors and Actuators
Here a list of sensors you can use. Try to find sensors that work with 3V, and work with a simple interface: Digital on/off or analog. The sensor must not draw more than 0.8A if powered by the Dust devices pins (it can be directly plugged to the battery though).
Note that there are LEDs on the boards so you don't need to buy some.
Door switch
Passive and easy to hook.
Passive Infra-Red (PIR)
You can find board that trigger pins when movements are detected such as: https://www.seeedstudio.com/Grove-PIR-Motion-Sensor-p-802.html
Easy to hook.
Light
https://www.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Digital-Light-Sensor-p-1281.html
Noise Floor
https://www.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Loudness-Sensor-p-1382.html
Vibration
https://www.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Piezo-Vibration-Sensor-p-1411.html
Buzzer
Wires
Take as much wires as you can!
You are going to need male-male, female-male and female-female ones. You can find all of that on Digikey for instance.
Resistors
Grab a kit so you have a wide range.
Bread boards
For wiring development, you are going to need some breadboards. No soldering is involved.
Batteries
The motes are powered using coin cells. If you need the motes to run for more than a few weeks, consider buying AA batteries and battery holders.
Enclosures
If you want to deploy your devices, you are going to need enclosures.
There are many around. Use IP65 or more for outdoor application. Example at Digikey.
Miscellaneous
You are going to need some zip ties, screw drivers, magnet (with hooks), double-side tape, nylon string
Software
If you want to play with the cloud part of the class, make sure to create an account on IBM Bluemix before the class. Free student plans are available.
Network Issues
Make sure to do some test in the network you will use for the class. It is frequent to see firewall rules that do not let the traffic pass. For instance, you will probably use MQTT on port 1883.