ComputerVoltageSources

--- drmabuce <drmabuce@...> wrote:

> There are quite a few low-cost PIC implementations
> around right now.
> The controller kit that MAKE sells is pretty
> well-appointed on the
> INPUT side with 8 10-bit analog ins....
> But, the 8 DIGITAL outs translate to one 8-bit
> analog out and that's
> where the MAKE gadget falls short of this app.
> As Aaron Lanterman has pointed out programmable
> multichannel analog
> I/O boards with dazzling resolution are pretty
> common but pretty
> expensive too, and they require a PC not only to
> program but also to run.
> So once again this app. lands in the 'liminal
> entity'* region,
> neither fish nor fowl nor beast! Too complex and
> hi-res to be a
> worthwhile hobbyist product but too lightweight for
> the pro lab-i/o
> companies to mess with. That's why i believe such a
> conceptually
> simple design is just not produced commercially for
> analog instruments.
>

Hmm. If we're once again veering away from the AtomPro
(as previous references to Atmel & PIC processors
would suggest), I might suggest the ADI ADuC70XX
series processors which contain:

* 62k Flash
* 8k SRAM
* 45MHz 32-bit ARM7TDMI CPU
* Good 12-bit DACs (up to 4) & multi-channel 12-bit
ADC
* RS-232 compatible serial bootloader
* SPI, I2S, UART, GPIO
* Clock PLL

Olimex makes a nice 40-pin DIP header board for the
ADuC7020, available from Spark-Fun for a reasonable
price:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=471

Development tools are free from IAR

http://supp.iar.com/Download/SW/?item=EWARM-KS32

I'm using some of these right now and they're quite
nice. I think the integrated ADC/DACs make them a
really good fit for CVS applications.

Eric





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