MIM.TXT           The Micro-Interface-Module (MIM)
===========================================================================
Document version: 8.3.8
Document dated:   27 Mar 99
Author(s):        Bob Bruninga, WB4APR <bruninga@nadn.navy.mil>
ABSTRACT
MIM.TXT:          Using the Micro Interface Module (MIM) for APRS all kinds
                  of APRS low power and compact applications.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See TELEMTRY.txt for how the MIM telemetry system works
See Mic-E.txt    for how the MIM chip is used in the APRS Mic-Encoder
See Mic-Lite.txt for how to make the MIM into a simple Mic-E

The MIM module is a complete telemetry TNC transmitter in under 1 cubic 
inch!  It has a serial data port, 5 analog and 8 digital telemetry inputs.  
It outputs PTT and transmit audio AX.25 tones.   The MIM was developed by 
Dr. Carl  Wick, N3MIM, as a simple, light-weight, throw-away module for 
experimental balloons.  WB4APR modified it for Mic-E operation and Dr. 
Will Clement refined it into a commercial product.  It is now sold by APRS 
Engineering LLC at the address below.  The only external components 
besides the sensors  themselves, are a transmitter and optional GPS and 
battery.

APPLICATIONS:

   1)  Mobile stand alone tracker with front panel controls
   2)  Balloon payloads using only party balloons (not big ones) 
   3)  Tracking wildlife or packages
   4)  Model Aircraft 
   5)  Keeping track of your kids.  (Even without GPS, the APRSdos
       vicinity tracking capablity will tell you what digipeater was
       closest to him.  And you can install short range digi's near
       school or home.

MODULE  INPUTS                         INTERFACES
                     ___________
        Analog 1 --O|           |O-->  PTT to XMTR
        Analog 2 --O|           |O-->  AX.25 Audio to XMTR
        Analog 3 --O|           |O
        Analog 4 --O|   M.I.M   |O<--  GPS data
        Analog 5 --O|           |O<--  RCV Audio
     Input bit 1 --O| Telemetry |O
     input bit 2 --O|           |O
     input bit 3 --O|  Module   |O
     input bit 4 --O|           |O
     input bit 5 --O|           |O
     input bit 6 --O|           |O<--  7 to 16 volts input
     input bit 7 --O|           |O
     input bit 8 --O|           |O<--  Ground
                    -------------

MIM PACKETS:  The mim can operate in either MIM mode or MIC mode.  Here
are the packets in each mode:

  MIM MODE:  STATUS   packet transmitted every N seconds
             POSIT    packet transmitted every P seconds
             TELMETRY packet transmitted every T seconds
             CWID     transmitted every C seconds

  Mic MODE:  POSIT    packet every P seconds
             STATUS   text apppended to posit every P/S seconds
             TELM     telemetry appended every P/T seconds

    
MIM TELEMETRY:  See the full telemetry spec in TELMTRY.txt.  The on-air 
packet telemetry format is as follows:

  T#sss,111,222,333,444,555,xxxxxxxx  where sss is the serial number
                                      followed by the five 3 digit analog
                                      values and the eight binary values.

CAUTION:  The MIM inputs and outputs are unprotected and assume your 
circuits are protected against transients above +5 and below 0 volts.
For these analog voltage inputs, a 5v zener diode should be used on each
I/O line for protection.

CONFIGURATION.  You configure the MIM by running MIC107.exe which gives you
the familiar TNC "cmd:" prompt.  But the serial interface is not at true
RS-232 voltage levels and only swings between 0 and 5 volts on output and
may be incompatible with some RS-232 serial ports.  It will always work
from the PC to the MIM for configuring, but the "read-back" of MIM data may
show errors if your port voltage thresholds are marginal.  In this case,
try adding a little bit of PULL-UP or PULL-DOWN voltage via a 5k or 12k
resistor depending on whether you are using 5 or 12 volts...


   MiM output (TXD) >-------/\/\/\/------*------> PC input (RXD)
                              1  k       |
                                         *---/\/\/\/------* + or - V
                                      
ORDERING YOUR MIM:  Price is $79 plus $4 S&H or $69ea for 10 or more.

APRS Engineering LLC    (Sorry, can't do credit cards)
115 Old Farm Ct         (Phone voice mail 410-553-6021)
Glen Burnie MD, 21060
