Re: Foard Systems Design Controllers

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

"canoewhiteh2o" <canoewhiteh2o@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Is anyone familar with the Foard Systems Design controllers? They look
>like nice mid-range, priced controllers that work with multiple control
>standards. Currently only X10 and UPB are supported but the company
>webpage indicates that "Z-Wave and INSTEON products are anticipated."
>The controllers are base on the Amtel ATmega128 processor. Here are a
>couple of websites discussing the controller:
>
>http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/oct06/articles/foard/bridging.htm
>http://www.atmel-grenoble.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/device_networking.pdf
>
>and the company website:
>
>http://www.foardsystems.com/
>
>I am currently comparing this control with the ADI Ocelot. The biggest
>downfall of the FSD controller is that it does not provide for IR
>control and supports fewer devices. However, the downfall of the Ocelot
>is that it does not provide for other control standards and there seems
>to be no movement in that direction from ADI.

I have no experience with Foard Systems, having discovered them only a few
days ago. They do have a fairly broad array of products.

     http://www.smarthomeusa.com/search.php?q=foard&x=0&y=0

Dan Boone is no longer with ADI. I really don't know what that means as far
as new product development but I think he was the prime mover on that front.
I was told they are planning bridges to the newer PLC standards but do not
know whether thay are developing their own or looking to third parties.
Their primary business is doing contract manufacturing for others so they
may be concentrating more on that than on expanding the HA product line.

The Foard UPB bridge, while a little pricey for what it does, should work
with an Ocelot TW523 port so you can get the Ocelot's versatility and still
get the newer standards.


http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx