Re: translator question

["BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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.