Re: translator question

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

No, you'll need a serial version. A microcontroller just doesn't have the
horsepower to be a USB host.

"BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>I should have clarified - it would be ambitious for ME ;).  I'll be
>happy to loan you my 2414U and some modules. Note that I have the USB
>rather than the Serial version of the 2414. Hope that will still fit the
>bill. If not, I'll get you one.
>
>From:Dave Houston
>nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> Actually, it's not that ambitious. I already have BX-24 code (which
>> only requires minor changes for the ZX-24) for most of the X-10 stuff
>> and the rest is just a matter of getting the serial protocols. It's
>> basically just a few lookup tables. The BX24-AHT board is already
>> setup for the PC link plus three 12V RS232 ports. A fourth can be
>> added with a few jumpers in the location designed for the RS-485
>> driver (which won't be used otherwise).
>>
>> When the time comes, you can loan me a 2414S and lamp module or two
>> for testing. This one would be much simpler if they'd just change the
>> terms of their license. ;)
>>
>> I can also include X-10 RF (and Bobby G's housecode switcheroo) rather
>> easily. My brain was locked into a particular path as I was writing
>> the first post. Some lunch unlocked it.
>>
>> I think the UPB and LynX-10 PLC protocols are published. Any other
>> serial controller (9600 bps or less) for which I can get the protocol
>> is a candidate. I'd rather not have to reverse engineer them.
>>
>> The firmware can be changed via a PC serial connection so it can be
>> upgraded as new devices come along. I may get surprised but I think
>> the ZX-24 has ample speed and memory to handle this and more.
>>
>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> Sounds like an ambitious project well worth the effort. The TTL
>>> interface would, IMO, be far superior to translating PLC signals.
>>> I'd be willing to participate financially and otherwise. Let me know
>>> how I can help.
>>>
>>> From:Dave Houston
>>> nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>> I'm considering tackling the TW523 emulator translator.
>>>>
>>>> Which of the controllers which might make use of this send for all
>>>> three phases and which only send for a single phase? I know ADI only
>>>> sends for one and think HAI is the same. I'm not sure this is
>>>> critical but would like to know, just in case.
>>>>
>>>> My thoughts are to make it with TTL input/output and with mutiple
>>>> serial input/output ports. That way it could interface with any PLC
>>>> (or other) system for which there is a serial interface and for
>>>> which the translator knows the protocol.
>>>>
>>>> If I do this it will be a DIY project and will probably use a ZX-24
>>>> processor so it won't be as cheap as a PIC based device. The ZX-24
>>>> has one hardware UART and can support up to four interrupt driven
>>>> full-duplex software UARTs (9600 bps or less) so it could deal with
>>>> multiple protocols/devices and be programmable from a PC serial
>>>> port. It's code execution speed is 10x as fast as the original
>>>> BX-24 and has a more efficient compiler so there should be ample
>>>> EEPROM available for user instructions.
>>>>
>>>> I'm willing to try to develop the code and to design a printed
>>>> circuit board but I'm not willing to buy all of the various hardware
>>>> needed to develop and test (and reverse engineer protocols) for the
>>>> new PLC (and other) systems.
>>>>
>>>> I envision it as a "monkey see, monkey do" system that listens for
>>>> inputs on any port and translates it to whatever action on whatever
>>>> port the user specifies. In essence, it would just be a multilingual
>>>> switchboard.
>>>>
>>>> I can probably do most of the development using a board I already
>>>> have (BX24-AHT). That way the board design could come after the
>>>> coding and list of devices supported is near completion or it might
>>>> turn out that the existing board design will prove adequate with
>>>> some simple surgery.
>>>>
>>>> I think it could support...
>>>>
>>>>     TW523
>>>>     CM11A
>>>>     CPU-XA, Ocelot, Leopard
>>>>     2414S PowerLinc V2 Serial (if I can reverse engineer the
>>>>     protocol) UPB Powerline Interface Module
>>>>     LynX-10 PLC
>>>>     Other serial interfaces (if the protocol is available)
>>>>     X-10 RF (if all the above leave enough memory)
>>>>
>>>> I need to keep this as simple as possible so as not to put too much
>>>> pressure on my health so would probably take on one protocol at a
>>>> time.
>>>>
>>>> I've had some preliminary discussion with the ZX-24 developer about
>>>> publishing this as an Application Note on the ZX-24 web site. I do
>>>> not want to set up and maintain another web page.
>