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Anti-optimization, hardware crumbling apart, GitHub

Today, short post about deceiving software.

Remember when last time, I said I had to do optmizations on my code ?
Well I tried.
And it went worse than I expected !

First, I tried to gather similar codes in some tasks, but it came out they were too heavy for FreeRTOS to handle them correctly, resulting in heap panic... So trying to enhance my code, I worsen it ! So I hard to roll it back.

Then, I tried to implement real mutexes for some resources that are shared among the tasks, in particular the screen (and maybe the UART one day, but I can manage to use it only in one task, if I split it in several functions). When I though I understood it and implemented it correctly, it turned out to make the STM32 crash at bootup, and being non recognizable by my PC anymore ! So again, I had to rollback to the previous version.

I'm still trying to figure out how to re-design my code, while keeping it runnable on that picky Blue Pill. You can FINALLY find my code on Github ! I suggest not to run it before knowing what you're doing, though.

https://github.com/j-levy/karadio_alarmclock_stm32/

I decided to use the Githib issues as a way to track the next works I need to do. There are some hardware improvements and re-designs, and also case manufacturing steps that I need to do, too. But now, we all have a clear way of where we're going !

Talking about hardware and case building, my audio transformers died, and I had to re-solder a new audio linking card. This time, I found a female jack, this should make it sturdier and more modulable (male-male jack are easy to find). Take a look !

For an unknown reason, when I plug my audio amplifier, the PAM8403, on the regular 5V shared by all components, I heard some crackling. But, when I plug it on the 3.3V outputed by the STM32, the crackling sound is gone, and the sound is just as loud. So I'll keep it that way, best for me I guess !


For the moment, I will continue developing on this hardware, but when I'm done, I will buy brand new parts with holes in them. I will definitely need something to attach them inside the box, and holes and screws seem like a simple, sturdy and reliable option.

How about a little video ? I know it didn't progress compared to before, but I can't help but showing how it looks like !


Now, I'll stick to Github to have a clear list of stuff to improve, fix, and build, instead of trying to remember what I need to do.
Like a documentation. I need some. At some point. To remember what my code is doing, and which wire is plugged where.

Next stop : solve the bugs and bring the software to a better shape and state !
See you !

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