NexDeck
From Makers Local 256
Creator: |
Overview
This project encompasses single and double DIN stereo decks meant to interface with a smart phone and provide a customizable experience tailored to the wants or needs of the user.
Single DIN Unit
This unit utilizes tight integration with the smart phone to deliver audio and other services.
Features
- Uses wireless charging to keep your phone topped up while being used as your headunit (no cables!)
- FM reception using the vehicle's antenna (via BT or via microcontroller via BT)
- Hands free calling operation via BT
- Audio playback/control via BT
- Auxiliary headphone jack or RCA input
- Jog knob for volume
- Dual momentary toggle switch for next/previous
- Can integrate with a BT OBD2 reader for displaying car info
- Can use the OBD2 integration with a WiFi/BT camera for backup cam
- Google maps on your dash!
Pros
- Lower cost
- Wider options for devices
- Smaller footprint
- More space for controls
- Less effort
- If there is extra room, additional components could be installed.
Cons
- No dedicated device/requires that the phone come out of your pocket
- Storage restricted to on-phone
- Requires phone/tablet at all times to work
- May be possible to do dumb aux passthrough by default
- Requires tight integration with the device (custom apps at the least)
- Smaller screen for less mapping awesomeness
- Lower quality audio for HQ sources
Parts List
- Single DIN mounting hardware
- BT A2DP/AVRCP/HFP receiver with custom wiring for the jog knob and toggle interface(Possible Solution)
- Wired MIC for HFP
- Microcontroller
- Android compatible OBD2 BT device
- BT module for microcontroller (RFCOMM connection only)
- SPI/I2C/UART controlled stereo audio switch(Possible Solution)
- SPI/I2C/UART controlled FM receiver(Possible Solution)
- 4-6 channel output stereo audio amplifier(300 watt 4 channel)
- Phone mount/charging hardware
- Air Dock recommended for qi-compatible devices
- 8-22v to 5v usb charger (3amp 15W)
- Power conversion hardware for embedded devices
Work Required
Materials
- Fitting the chosen mounting hardware into the single DIN enclosure
Electronics
- Get power hooked up to everything
- Get microcontroller wired to:
- BT RFCOMM module
- BT audio device
- user controls
- Audio switch
- AMP (if applicable)
- FM receiver (optional)
Android Software
- Writing Android app for control/orchestration of the devices via BT
Microcontroller Software
- BT RFCOMM interface
- Control of the BT device
- Needs to at least be able to put the device into pairing mode
- Audio switch
- Front controls
- Amp
- FM receiver
Double DIN Unit
This unit utilizes a much more loose integration with the smart phone and uses only standard interfaces to communicate with it.
Key Features
- Uses wireless charging to keep the tablet topped up, tablet is necessarily integrated into the dash
- FM reception using the vehicle's antenna (via USB or via microcontroller via USB)
- Capable of reading USB storage peripherals
- Hands free calling operation via BT
- Audio playback/track information/control via BT
- AVRCP1.5 features like browsing would be nice, but probably limited to 1.4/tag info for now
- Auxiliary headphone jack or RCA input
- Jog knob for volume (is there space for this?)
- Dual momentary toggle for next/previous and FF/RWND (is there space for this?)
- Can integrate with a BT OBD2 reader for displaying car info
- Can use the OBD2 integration with a WiFi/BT camera for backup cam
- Google maps on your dash!
Pros
- More storage options
- Dedicated unit for operation
- Better integration into car
- Able to interface and work properly with any smart phone that has BT
- Larger screen for more mapping awesomeness
- Higher quality audio for HQ sources (USB DAC)
Cons
- Higher expense
- Tied to specific tablet
- More space
- More initial work to get the tablet/OS where we want it
Parts List
- Double DIN mounting hardware
- Nexus 7 or other tablet supporting USB OTG/Host
- Wired MIC for HFP
- Microcontroller (connected via USB, ADK-compatible)
- SPI/I2C/UART controlled stereo audio switch
- SPI/I2C/UART controlled FM receiver
- USB hub
- USB extension cable (for front panel access)
- 4-6 channel output stereo audio amplifier(300 Watt/4 Channel)
- Tablet mounting hardware
- Tablet wireless or USB charging hardware
- Power conversion hardware for embedded devices
Work Required
Materials
- Retrofitting the tablet into the mount
Electronics
- Get power hooked up to everything
- Get microcontroller wired to:
- tablet
- BT device (if BT sink can't happen)
- user controls
- Audio switch
- AMP (if applicable)
- FM receiver (optional)
Android Software
- Getting the tablet OS into shape for talking to USB devices
- Might need a custom OS with a special kernel
- Writing Android app for control/orchestration of the USB devices
- Getting BT audio sink mode working
- This is a BIIIIG IF, otherwise use the same BT device as with the single DIN setup
Microcontroller Software
- Tablet via ADK
- Control of the BT device (if BT sink can't happen)
- Needs to at least be able to put the device into pairing mode
- Audio switch
- Front controls
- Amp
- FM receiver
Non-Tablet Double DIN Unit
This unit utilizes a SBC with USB3 and is also a dash cam/reverse cam. This is basically Android Auto done right.
Key Features
- FM reception using the vehicle's antenna (via USB)
- Capable of reading USB storage peripherals
- Hands free calling operation via BT
- Audio playback/track information/control via BT
- Auxiliary headphone jack or RCA input
- Jog knob for volume (is there space for this?)
- Dual momentary toggle for next/previous and FF/RWND (is there space for this?)
- Can integrate with a BT OBD2 reader for displaying car info
- Can use the OBD2 integration for backup cam
- Google maps on your dash!
Pros
- More storage options
- Dedicated unit for operation
- Better integration into car
- Able to interface and work properly with any smart phone that has BT
- Larger screen for more mapping awesomeness
Cons
- More space
- More initial work to get the OS where we want it
Parts List
- Double DIN mounting hardware
- SBC with 2xUSB3 root ports (not two off of a hub)
- 7" 1280x800 screen
- Wired MIC for HFP
- USB AM/FM receiver
- USB hub
- USB extension cable (for front panel access)
- 4-6 channel output stereo audio amplifier(300 Watt/4 Channel)
- Power conversion hardware for embedded devices
Work Required
Materials
- Retrofitting the screen into the mount
- It's slightly to large to fit through the double din mount, so either have it spaced out a bit or put it in the double din adapter piece
Electronics
- Get power hooked up to everything
- Get cams and other peripherals hooked up via USB hubs
Android Software
- Get Android 7.x running on the SBC
- Enable Android Auto audio routing tweaks
- Enable HFP client
- Enable A2DP client
- Make sure cameras, hubs, radio module, etc. play nice with OS and that there is adequate bandwidth