Re: translator question

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

This is looking like it could be a really versatile device so I'm trying to
finalize the design details.

Besides the high speed hardware UART (PC), the TTL port and four 9600 bps
ports there are 6 pins which can be used for 10-bit ADC or DIO. My thoughts
at this point are to merely make them available through the user interface
and to supply some brief app notes with schematics showing how to use them
for things like temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. or with external
switches, relays or LEDs.

I'm sure someone is going to suggest using them for a 1-wire network but
that's not an option. It takes too long to get data from a 1-wire network.
You can, however, use something like the serial 1-wire networks from Peter
Anderson on one of the serial ports and relay the data out any of the other
serial ports including the PC port.

While the processor has a software RTC it gets reset to Day 1 whenever the
processor is reset so I'm leaning towards adding a battery backed RTC chip.
This would use one or two of the unused pins. A reliable RTC can be used to
schedule events via any of the serial ports.

I'm open to suggestions but bear in mind that I'm using the ZX-24 precisely
because it will let me put something together quickly without a lot of
detailed design and low level programming. My health isn't up to more
strenuous efforts.

I will design a new circuit board as that will probably be easier than
answering questions about modifying the BX24-AHT boards. As of now it will
have a DB-9 for a PC connection, one 4x6P4C (RJ11) jack for the 9600 bps
serial ports, one 1x6P4C for the TTL connection and a terminal strip for the
other pins. I will design it to use a +5V *regulated* wall transformer. They
cost about the same as unregulated ones and this simplifies the board
design. There are switching power supplies that will work worldwide. I have
to look into how many handshake lines the MR26 uses for power. If it's only
one I'll provide power on all of the 9600 bps ports. Otherwise, it will need
to connect via a terminal strip.

I'll design it so you can output ASCII strings or binary data via any of the
four 9600 bps ports so it should work with any device for which you know the
protocol.

I'll have to set priorities. I think support for the 2414S and UPB PIN are
the highest priority so will try to implement those before taking on others.