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In this Instructable, I cover modding the store-bought Deluxe Identity Disc to an upgraded version with 64 leds, controlled by an AVR MCU. The upgraded version is costume-ready and would be an excellent addition to your Tron costume - it'll also look great on your desk/dresser/etc.
My 7 year old daughter watched Tron:Legacy with me on Father's day and decided instantly that she wanted to be Quorra for Halloween. I knew the costume would be a decent bit of work, and I don't sew (although I will be getting assistance making the costume - hopefully a forthcoming instructable) - I decided to start with the Identity Disc.
I managed to find an identity disc at Target for $9 on clearance (they can be found on Amazon for $12 as of the writing of this article). However, when we brought the disc home, I was seriously disappointed at the lack lighting. So - like any good father would do - I set out to upgrade the disc.
Please note that this project does not preserve the original sound - I'd really like to include something, but didn't find any AVR examples I really liked. If you have any suggestions for sound inclusion - please share!
Before I start the article - and before people say they can't do this themselves - let me be clear about my qualifications. I'm a Software Developer (.Net). I'm not an electrical engineer, my soldering skills are sub-par, and even though I'm a developer - my AVR code is probably horrible. If I can do it, anybody with a lot of patience and time can as well.
And take it easy on me - this is my first Instructable!
When I started my research - I ran across this article: Tron-Disc-with-NET-Microframework. Fantastic implementation - all LEDs can be controlled individually, adjustable brightness. Then I noticed the huge board in the middle. And the expensive cost of the hardware, etc. I needed something that wouldn't break the bank, and parts that I could fit in the disc.
But first - let me leave you with a little teaser video. This is what the device looks like with the V1 firmware.
My 7 year old daughter watched Tron:Legacy with me on Father's day and decided instantly that she wanted to be Quorra for Halloween. I knew the costume would be a decent bit of work, and I don't sew (although I will be getting assistance making the costume - hopefully a forthcoming instructable) - I decided to start with the Identity Disc.
I managed to find an identity disc at Target for $9 on clearance (they can be found on Amazon for $12 as of the writing of this article). However, when we brought the disc home, I was seriously disappointed at the lack lighting. So - like any good father would do - I set out to upgrade the disc.
Please note that this project does not preserve the original sound - I'd really like to include something, but didn't find any AVR examples I really liked. If you have any suggestions for sound inclusion - please share!
Before I start the article - and before people say they can't do this themselves - let me be clear about my qualifications. I'm a Software Developer (.Net). I'm not an electrical engineer, my soldering skills are sub-par, and even though I'm a developer - my AVR code is probably horrible. If I can do it, anybody with a lot of patience and time can as well.
And take it easy on me - this is my first Instructable!
When I started my research - I ran across this article: Tron-Disc-with-NET-Microframework. Fantastic implementation - all LEDs can be controlled individually, adjustable brightness. Then I noticed the huge board in the middle. And the expensive cost of the hardware, etc. I needed something that wouldn't break the bank, and parts that I could fit in the disc.
But first - let me leave you with a little teaser video. This is what the device looks like with the V1 firmware.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials & Tools
Materials:
• Tron Deluxe Identity Disc
• 3 x AAA alkaline batteries - any battery source between 4 and 5.5v would work, but you're limited on space
• 64 LEDs (I bought a set of 100 blue on Ebay for $3.50 including shipping)
• ATMega328/168 or ATTiny45- I was able to get free samples from Atmel - warning - they're much more difficult to obtain than Maxim
Any AVR chip that supports SPI/USI and has an additional 2 input pins would probably work as well
• Max7221 or Max7219 LED Display Driver - I was able to get free samples from Maxim - they provide samples fairly freely
I have not tested with the Max7219 - but from what I've seen online, these should be interchangeable
• 50+ feet of 30awg wire - seems like a lot - but you'll need it
• RSet Resistor - I needed a 15k resistor - this helps the LED Driver determine what current/voltage to use
See this page for more information on values
• Solder (I suggest something small like 0.032)
• Perfboard - a small sheet is all you'll need.
You'll want the kind with the copper rings. Veroboard would probably work as well, but it's more expensive
• 24 pin DIP IC Socket (Optional - used for the Max7221 - I don't trust myself to not fry the IC)
• 28 pin DIP IC Socket
• Two pens with springs
• Hot Glue Sticks
• cyanoacrylate
• Magnetic Reed Switch - I used the glass kind
For the second disc, I used a COTO-20 I purchased from eBay. For the first disc, I harvested one from a broken child's toy
Tools:
Soldering Iron - I'm not using anything fancy - just an $8 iron from RadioShack
Soldering Helper - Not sure what it's really called, but it comes with the RS Iron - it's a thin tool that I used to help route wires, wrap wire, etc. It proved invaluable. This or a similar tool will come in handy.
Dremel, cut off disc and engraving tip (Optional, but highly suggested)
Wire cutters
Wire stripper (Optional - finger nails work very well on 30awg)
AVR Programmer - I use a $6 USBASP programmer I found on eBay
Silver Sharpie (Optional)
Hot Glue Gun
Pliers - ideally a small pair
• Tron Deluxe Identity Disc
• 3 x AAA alkaline batteries - any battery source between 4 and 5.5v would work, but you're limited on space
• 64 LEDs (I bought a set of 100 blue on Ebay for $3.50 including shipping)
• ATMega328/168 or ATTiny45- I was able to get free samples from Atmel - warning - they're much more difficult to obtain than Maxim
Any AVR chip that supports SPI/USI and has an additional 2 input pins would probably work as well
• Max7221 or Max7219 LED Display Driver - I was able to get free samples from Maxim - they provide samples fairly freely
I have not tested with the Max7219 - but from what I've seen online, these should be interchangeable
• 50+ feet of 30awg wire - seems like a lot - but you'll need it
• RSet Resistor - I needed a 15k resistor - this helps the LED Driver determine what current/voltage to use
See this page for more information on values
• Solder (I suggest something small like 0.032)
• Perfboard - a small sheet is all you'll need.
You'll want the kind with the copper rings. Veroboard would probably work as well, but it's more expensive
• 24 pin DIP IC Socket (Optional - used for the Max7221 - I don't trust myself to not fry the IC)
• 28 pin DIP IC Socket
• Two pens with springs
• Hot Glue Sticks
• cyanoacrylate
• Magnetic Reed Switch - I used the glass kind
For the second disc, I used a COTO-20 I purchased from eBay. For the first disc, I harvested one from a broken child's toy
Tools:
Soldering Iron - I'm not using anything fancy - just an $8 iron from RadioShack
Soldering Helper - Not sure what it's really called, but it comes with the RS Iron - it's a thin tool that I used to help route wires, wrap wire, etc. It proved invaluable. This or a similar tool will come in handy.
Dremel, cut off disc and engraving tip (Optional, but highly suggested)
Wire cutters
Wire stripper (Optional - finger nails work very well on 30awg)
AVR Programmer - I use a $6 USBASP programmer I found on eBay
Silver Sharpie (Optional)
Hot Glue Gun
Pliers - ideally a small pair
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Tip: If you haven't already come across it, EL wire is pretty much a necessity for any properly outfitted Tron costume.
http://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&q=el+wire+tron&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=929
The aqua and the orange are the perfect shades for Tron, and the consistent, unbroken light source is perfect, and better looking than LED's. Also it stays cool, which is nice for anything you're gonna wear on your body, and it's flexible, so it can easily be sewn into any costume.
Also, EL wire is just a lot of fun for anyone who's into DIY stuff!
There are a lot of good instructables on using EL wire too.
FLYNN LIVES!
I also had to build a target board (http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/avrtargetboards) which requires a socket, perfboard, headers and some wire. There are actually tons of tutorials on this site for AVR programming as well. Another excellent resource is avrfreaks.net.
The USBASP programmer flashes the chips pretty quick - I'd say under 30 seconds. A much larger program would probably take longer, but it's fast enough I didn't even think about speed.
One of the things I'd like to note is that he hasn't completed his project yet (or at least hasn't updated the blog to indicate he has), and says he's spent about $200 so far. Including $9 for the disc - I've probably spent under $40. That doesn't account for the components I was able to obtain as samples - but I was specifically going for inexpensive. Plus, if the disc runs out of power - it's simple enough to drop in a fresh set of AAA batteries.
one thing i would do is sand the inside of the transparent rings (the part the LEDs shine on) and that might help diffuse the light a bit more.
but it still looks awesome, and the possibilities with each led being addressable are endless!
maybe a version with rainbow colors just because?
I wish there was individual brightness control as well. There are other Maxim chips that support this, but they only come in QSOP packages.
I agree - an RGB version would be awesome!