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Proxima Star — Embedded Systems and Electronics Experiments

Welcome to Proxima Star, a personal hobby website dedicated to exploring embedded systems, electronics design, and sensor-driven data visualization. It serves as a living record of my experiments and projects - from early microcontroller development in the 2000s to modern Raspberry Pi and ESP32-based devices combining hardware, firmware, and real-time monitoring.

From Rabbit 2000 to Raspberry Pi

My journey with embedded hardware began around the year 2000 with several projects based on the RabbitCore RCM2200, a compact embedded module built around the Rabbit 2000 CPU and programmed in Dynamic C. At that time, it provided an efficient way to bring TCP/IP networking into embedded applications - long before such functionality became standard.

Those early designs included serial-to-IP converters, IP-enabled alarm interfaces, and automated control systems. They were practical, reliable, and served real customers - until rapid advances in embedded technology eventually made such specialized designs obsolete.

After relocating to a new country, I discovered that custom microcontroller development was no longer in demand, as ready-made automation modules had become the standard. I set aside my embedded work for more than a decade, returning only with the emergence of Raspberry Pi single-board computers - rediscovering the satisfaction of building systems from the ground up.

Modern Projects

Today, I focus on bringing together low-power embedded controllers, smart sensors, and custom display modules to create systems that visualize data in simple, efficient ways. My projects span several platforms — from the ESP32-C3 SuperMini to the Raspberry Pi Pico, Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, Raspberry Pi 3B+, and Raspberry Pi 4 — each chosen for its unique strengths in experimentation and design.

Some of my current and recent projects include:

Legacy Highlights

My earlier embedded projects from the 2000s laid the groundwork for everything that followed. They demonstrate the evolution from stand-alone designs to connected, network-aware devices capable of real-world deployment.

Serial to IP Data Converter for Payment Terminals

Developed around 2000, this production-grade device used the RabbitCore RCM2200 to convert RS-232 serial data into configurable TCP/IP sockets. Originally designed for payment terminals, it later found general use connecting legacy equipment to networks. Each unit supported IP configuration, port mapping, and socket mode control. About 500 devices were manufactured and deployed in real installations. As embedded Ethernet became common, demand gradually decreased - but it remains my first successful commercial embedded system.

Home Alarm IP Gateway

Using the same RCM2200 platform, this project emulated a standard phone line interface to allow home alarm panels to communicate via IP. It accepted alarm signals, decoded DTMF tones, and forwarded events to a security company’s receiver. Although it didn’t implement full modem protocols, it worked reliably for pilot testing. The design won a “Best Implementation” award in a company competition - recognition of concept rather than production readiness.

Data Center Temperature Monitoring System

A small-scale RCM2200 system using an LM75 digital temperature sensor to monitor server room conditions. It sent email alerts when limits were exceeded and attempted to activate air conditioners using an infrared transmitter. While only used internally, it marked my first experiment in combining monitoring, control, and automated response logic - an early IoT-style prototype.

Electricity Meter Data Collection System (Pilot)

This prototype collected data from up to 40 industrial electricity meters using a current-loop interface following IEEE communication standards. Readings were transmitted to a central database, with SD card storage as fallback when the network was unavailable - my first use of removable storage in embedded systems. A related side project tested Mitsubishi Electric IP-over-Power Line adapters to deliver connectivity over existing wiring. The concept worked reliably but remained at pilot stage.

Clock and Temperature Monitor (Microchip MCU)

My first personal hobby project based on a Microchip microcontroller (exact model unrecorded). It used a Microchip reference schematic and two LM75 sensors to display indoor and outdoor temperatures, along with a digital clock shown on multiple dynamic 7-segment LED displays. Running on a 40 MHz oscillator instead of the recommended 32 kHz crystal, the system achieved outstanding timing accuracy - drifting only about 1.5 seconds per year. It had no data logging or networking features but was a compact, reliable standalone device. Both the hardware and source code were unfortunately lost during relocation.

RS-232 Temperature Sensor for ATMs

A compact design built around a Microchip PIC16F648A microcontroller paired with an LM75 temperature sensor. It operated directly from RS-232 power without an external supply and could transmit readings either periodically or upon serial request. Intended for ATM integration, the device was simple, efficient, and reliable — a “small but cool” project that marked the end of my early embedded hardware era.

Looking Ahead

Proxima Star continues to evolve as a personal platform for documenting new projects, revisiting earlier designs, and integrating practical hardware with creative engineering. Future updates will include downloadable source files, schematics, and detailed technical documentation for each system. A contact form will be added later for visitors to share feedback or questions.