As noted on the "Latest News" side-bar, I'm making final changes to ARF. First and most importantly, I'm adding a micro-SD card in place of the on-board FLASH. There are a few good reasons for this:
1. I can't get the original part any more.
2. Micro-SD allows one to simply remove the card from ARF, plug it into your PC and copy new database and firmware files. MUCH simpler than having to build a PC-based serial cable and run an XMODEM program to download. I honestly think that this feature alone will make ARF much more desirable and easy to use. I know I want that capability. Also, since the card will be removable, when an update needs to happen, you don't need to remove ARF from your car. You simply slip the card out of the side of ARF, put it in your PC and do the copy. Then you'll simply need to put it back in ARF and you're ready to go. Much, much easier.
3. The micro-SD card has much greater capacity, meaning that in the future, I can expand the database and add logging if I want.
I haven't decided this yet, but I may opt to replace the current on-board GPS option with a single hybrid-module GPS. What I use now comes from Spark Fun electronics and is defined as an evaluation module. This makes it more expensive. I've found other less expensive and more powerful devices that will suit much better.
Lastly, I will be correcting some minor layout issues and simplifying some level shifting. This will make ARF much simpler to assemble, and will reduce the parts cost and circuit complexity.
Leave me feedback on the "Contact Us" page for your ideas and comments!