Post by thread:Suggestions on PC/104 or other SBC with i2c i/f

I am building a system that utilizes 5 16C7XX PIC's that communicate (as i2c slaves) to a single control computer which I would like to configure as an i2c master. I would like to purchase a SBC which can drive an LCD display, interface to a keypad, operate a printer, interface to 16 parallel i/o's, operate a floppy drive, and drive 2 serial communication ports, as well as act as i2c master. The control computer must be capable of doing a program memory checksum (can't do with Microchip 17C4X parts). My preference would be to use a PC/104 SBC type board because I anticipate future expanding needs that might be more easily accommodated with PC compatible software. However, I have not been able to find a PC type SBC with a hardware i2c interface. I would prefer to not use 2 i/o bits to interface to the i2c as some SBC manufacturers have suggested because of control computer performance degradation. Does anyone have any suggestions on possible sources (oh, did I also mention priced at less than $300 in quantity 100) for such a SBC product, even not PC compatible? Or should I use the Phillips PCF8584 to i/f the SBC without i2c to the i2c bus? TIA, Steve Buckser spam_OUTsbuckserTakeThisOuTix.netcom.com

>Does anyone have any suggestions on possible sources (oh, did I also >mention priced at less than $300 in quantity 100) for such a SBC product, >even not PC compatible? In one of the projects I was working on, a PIC was connected directly to the PC/104 bus and addressed using a GAL (it uses the PORTD parallel mode). Commands were sent to it, and the PIC would measure A/D, a rotary encoder, and manage the I2C bus peripherals (EEPROM and a D/A). It could report back to the PC on the same port. Another alternative, which lets you use a cheaper chip and makes it really asynch, is to put FIFOs on both directions of the bus. The PIC gets messages which were stored by the PC, and puts its responses in the other one. The PC can poll or be interrupted to get its messages out of the FIFO. Both methods should work just fine. Andy ================================================================== Andy Kunz - Montana Design - 409 S 6th St - Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Hardware & Software for Industry & R/C Hobbies "Go fast, turn right, and keep the wet side down!" ==================================================================

You may want to check out Z-World. I have worked with their products and been pleased with the support and the quality. They even customized a standard product for one of my clients in a 500 piece qty for a very reasonable price and gave full warrantee on the modified boards. The cost savings on the board more than offset the NRE and gave a better product for the application. At 10:17 PM 11/19/97 -0800, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>I am building a system that utilizes 5 16C7XX PIC's that communicate (as >i2c slaves) to a single control computer which I would like to configure as >an i2c master. > >I would like to purchase a SBC which can drive an LCD display, interface to >a keypad, operate a printer, interface to 16 parallel i/o's, operate a >floppy drive, and drive 2 serial communication ports, as well as act as i2c >master. The control computer must be capable of doing a program memory >checksum (can't do with Microchip 17C4X parts). > >My preference would be to use a PC/104 SBC type board because I anticipate >future expanding needs that might be more easily accommodated with PC >compatible software. However, I have not been able to find a PC type SBC >with a hardware i2c interface. I would prefer to not use 2 i/o bits to >interface to the i2c as some SBC manufacturers have suggested because of >control computer performance degradation. > >Does anyone have any suggestions on possible sources (oh, did I also >mention priced at less than $300 in quantity 100) for such a SBC product, >even not PC compatible? > >Or should I use the Phillips PCF8584 to i/f the SBC without i2c to the i2c >bus? > >TIA, > >Steve Buckser >.....sbuckserKILLspam@spam@ix.netcom.com > > Larry G. Nelson Sr. L.NelsonKILLspamieee.org http://www.ultranet.com/~nr

At 10:17 PM 11/19/97 -0800, Steve Buckser wrote: {Quote hidden}>I am building a system that utilizes 5 16C7XX PIC's that communicate (as >i2c slaves) to a single control computer which I would like to configure as >an i2c master. > >I would like to purchase a SBC which can drive an LCD display, interface to >a keypad, operate a printer, interface to 16 parallel i/o's, operate a >floppy drive, and drive 2 serial communication ports, as well as act as i2c >master. The control computer must be capable of doing a program memory >checksum (can't do with Microchip 17C4X parts). > >My preference would be to use a PC/104 SBC type board because I anticipate >future expanding needs that might be more easily accommodated with PC >compatible software. However, I have not been able to find a PC type SBC >with a hardware i2c interface. I would prefer to not use 2 i/o bits to >interface to the i2c as some SBC manufacturers have suggested because of >control computer performance degradation. > >Does anyone have any suggestions on possible sources (oh, did I also >mention priced at less than $300 in quantity 100) for such a SBC product, >even not PC compatible? > >TIA, > >Steve Buckser >.....sbuckserKILLspam.....ix.netcom.com Steve, Have a look at http://www.jedmicro.com.au/ for the PC541 which starts at about US$300 for single units. Haven't used it, but it might be suitable. Regards, Ross McKenzie Melbourne Australia