ComputerVoltageSources

Eric,

Thanks for putting that together. It is a good starting point for
discussion.

It will be valuable to have a common base platform and have an extension
header for addons for customized projects. This might be as simple as an
extension of the SPI bus and any unused IO brought to a dual row header.  I
will volunteer to track any useful features that don't make it to the common
base platform and design an extension at minimal cost to provide additional
custom features.  The intent is that additional hardware can be added
external to the base system.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: ComputerVoltageSources@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:ComputerVoltageSources@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Eric
> Brombaugh
> 
> What's the hardware architecture going to be? I
> haven't ever seen a PSIM up close, but here's what I
> think is baseline:
> 
> * BasicATOM Pro 28-M
> http://www.basicmicro.com/Product.aspx?productID=151&CategoryID=2
>   - Up to 8 channels 10-bit Analog inputs
>   - Serial digital I/O
>   - parallel digital I/O.
>   All shared on 20 GPIO pins.
> 
> * 4-channels serially loaded DAC.
>   What brand of DAC was used on the PSIM?
>   2 Dual DACs or one Quad DAC?
>   Separate or simultaneous load strobe?
>   How many bits?
> 
> * Analog Signal conditioning.
>   - Input gain & offset pots or fixed?
>   - Output gain & offset pots or fixed?
>   - Lowpass filtering?
> 
> * Serial I/O
>   - BasicATOM Pro uses built-in UART on H8/3664
>     processor for firmware loads.
>   - Need to re-task serial I/O for MIDI interfaces
>   - Front panel switch to select MIDI mode?
>   Do we want a built in USB-Serial interface?
>   - Many (most?) modern PCs now come without RS-232
>     interfaces, but a USB-Serial chip is fairly cheap
>     and readily available. See the SiLabs CP210x:
> http://www.silabs.com/tgwWebApp/public/web_content/products/Microcontrolle
> rs/Interface/en/interface.htm
> 
> 
> * Digital I/O
>   - Digital I/O is somewhat scarce on the 28-pin
>     BasicATOM Pro. Use 74HC595 serial-parallel for
>     dedicated outputs, or Maxim MAX6957 port extender
>     for flexible I/O over SPI.
> 
> * LCD
>   - 2x16 char LCD w/ backlight seems a fairly useful
>     & common mod. Use Serial I/O with
>     external processor, or hook up parallel via SPI
>     port extender (see above).
> 
> * Buttons
>   - Used for run/stop/etc.
>   - Use dedicated GPIO pins on BasicATOM Pro, or
>     hook up via SPI port extender using available
>     interrupt line.
> 
> Just a collection of thoughts about hardware. Comments
> & criticism invited.
> 
> Eric
>