Re: PC Interfacing

["Patrick Lidstone" <patrick@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Alistair Watkins" <ukha@a...>
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am after either a home-brew or 'proper' IO Solution for HA
purposes.
> I want a device, ideally serial, that i can plug into the PC and
> drive a few outputs, and get input from various sensors.  It would
be
> handy if the data was easy to get at as well, but I'm happy cutting
> my own code.
> At the moment I'm using the Parallel port but its not really going
to
> be a suitable long term solution and I want to use that for a
printer!
>
> I have tried google and maplins but I can't seem to find the right
> things to search for! Do these things have a proper name? (IO Card
is
> to generic)
>

Try VIOM (http://www.phaedrusltd.co.uk/system/index.html)
as a
starting point.

If you fancy homebrew, you could also search epanorama for "PC
Parallel port" or "PC Game port" to turn up cheap'n'cheerful
interface techniques.

If you feel more adventurous, have a go with PICs. Robotics related
sites can be a good entry point here (even if you don't want to
control a robot type device, the IO technology has a lot in common
with HA). www.crownhill.co.uk is a good starting point for PIC kits.
Also have a look at http://www.quasarelectronics.com/
for stuff along
similar lines.

HTH

Patrick