A Performance Analysis System for the Sport of Bowling

However, testing revealed that there are also multiple "false" activations per shot, which
occur before release of the ball and from the ball return mechanism handling the ball.
These activations typically accumulate 10-15 seconds of additional run time, accounting
for another 25-35 mAmp-seconds per shot. Therefore, the actual battery usage works out
to be ~40 mAmp-seconds per ball. For a 200 mAmp-hour coin cell, this yields a battery
life of 18,000 shots (about 1000 games). The bowler could use the module up to 20
games a week for a year without having to replace the battery. A lower capacity battery
could also be specified, reducing the cost, weight, and height of the module.
2.9 FUTURE WORK
The prototype SMARTDOT module was developed to serve three functions: first, as a
proof-of-concept; second, as a data collection device to capture and characterize the
ambient light waveform that the module was being developed to record; and third, to
serve as the initial hardware platform upon which to develop and test the embedded
software for the commercial SMARTDOT module.
Recall that the nature of the light waveform was unknown at the start of this project.
Much knowledge has been gained since then from actually being able to observe and
analyze the captured data. This knowledge will be put to use in future iterations of the
module's embedded software.
Also, in the time since the design and construction of the SMARTDOT module prototype,
component technology has improved tremendously. Upgrading the module with these
advanced components will allow for significant improvements in the capabilities of both
the hardware and the embedded software, as well as in reductions in the cost, size, and
weight of the module.
2.9.1 Microprocessor
Microprocessor technology in the 8-bit arena has changed quite dramatically in the last
few years. Cygnal Integrated Products just recently introduced a true system-on-a-chip
8051-based microprocessor (C8051F300x). The 'F300x contains 8K bytes of on-board
flash memory (which can be used for both program and data), 256 bytes of RAM, an
advanced serial UART, advanced power-management functions, on-board ultra-low
power comparators, a low-power analog-to-digital converter (ADC), on-board
programmable oscillator, and reset circuitry, all in a package that measures 3mm by
3mm. With this microprocessor, the TSL25x light sensor, LED's and a small amount of
passive components, the module can be redesigned to be smaller, cheaper and more
powerful than the current design. It will even be possible to upgrade the module's
embedded software via the infrared interface while the module remains in the ball.
The 'F300x also makes certain software improvements possible. Since it contains both an
on-board comparator and a hardware UART, it will be possible to feed the TSL251
output to the comparator and then to the reception port of the UART. In addition, the
transmission port of the UART can directly drive the transmit LED's, allowing for much
higher transmit baud rates. This will be an issue with the much higher serial EEPROM
densities now available (see "Sample Memory" below). These improvements also
eliminate the software UART, freeing up a significant amount of code space.
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