Re: CM15A

[nonedotcom_at_none_dot_com@xxxxxxx (Mecanic)]

Dave,
Have you been able to do any work in this direction?

Mecanic

-------------------------------------
Dave Houston wrote:




> I have continued to kick around possible designs for a CM15A
> daughterboard
> to replace the MCU that X-10 is using.

> I think I finally have a workable design and am about to order a
> handful of
> prototype boards for testing. It will be a month or more before I have
> the
> prototypes and can start testing and is likely to be several weeks
> after
> that before it will be available.

> The daughterboard is 0.830" x 1.200" and plugs into the
> socket in place of
> the Cypress MCU. If your MCU is not socketed I recommend that you
> desolder
> it and install a socket. That way you can always go back to the
> original
> MCU.

> Two versions are planned. One will have a serial interface (RS-232 but
> 0-5V). The other will use USB but, on the PC end, use virtual com port
> drivers which are available for W98SE, W2K & XP, OS X, and Linux.
> PC
> software can be the same for both the RS232 and USB versions as the VCP
> acts
> like a standard RS232 port. The RS232 version requires an adapter cable
> (USB
> to CM15A, DB-9F to PC).

> The board has a PIC16F88 with a small bootloader so its firmware can be
> changed over the serial or USB link. The PIC16F88 will handle
> communications
> with the PC (using its hardware USART), the EEPROM (using the PIC's SCL
> &
> SDA pins), PLC, and RF out.

> There is also a PIC12F683 which handles the RF receiver and manages an
> RS485
> network. The RS485 network can include additional RF receiver modules
> which
> will allow inputs from devices that use other frequencies (e.g. 418MHz
> used
> by many touchscreen remotes). The firmware will handle standard X-10
> RF,
> security X-10 RF, Digimax 210 thermostat RF, and Ninja/Robocam RF.

> The CM15A EEPROM is 8K which is 8 times the size used in the CM11A. I
> plan
> to include support for an optional 32K EEPROM (will require soldering
> to
> replace the existing EEPROM). I recommend adding an external eggbeater
> antenna (and preamp, if necessary). Replacing the antenna requires
> soldering
> two connections.

> The firmware will include many of the features that I built into the
> BX24-AHT. I'll provide free Windows interface software (similar to that
> for
> the BX24-AHT) but will leave it to others to write something for other
> operating systems.

> If others want to develop firmware for it, the boards can be supplied
> without the PIC16F88 (PDIP). The PIC12F683 can be supplied
> preprogrammed or
> developers can program it themselves via ICSP.

> I think it will cost $35-40. Developer boards will cost about half that
> (w/o
> PIC16F88). Since it does not disturb any of the RF hardware, there are
> no
> FCC issues to deal with.

> Schedules assume the prototype boards work and my health holds up for a
> few
> more months.







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