Possibility of IsoPod+...

[PJE]

Hi,

I was wondering what the chances are of an IsoPod+ based around the 56F807.

This would roughtly double the amount of memory available, and if an external 64K word FSRAM were added the device would become very powerful.

Regards

PJE

[nmitech]

Yes, NMI is working on IsoPod with 56F807.

Also have plan to add the external FSRAM but it may be another version due to the board size's limitation.

We will keep you posted on the release schedule later.

We will have the production for new IsoPod that supports two rs-232 drivers in the next 2 weeks. Now we are taking pre-order for this module.

I will post the picture and schematic for this new IsoPod board on the web soon.

[PJE]

With regard to the 56F087 board:

Is the format fixed yet, or can I make some suggestions.

* Make the unit similar to the Rabbit boards, ie designed to be mounted to a motherboard, although if possible stick with 0.1" headers. Two sets of 2x?? headers would give the board support.

* A 2"x3" form factor would be nice - ensure there is provision to bolt the unit down to the motherboard.

* There is no need to provide duplicate signals, such as for the servo outputs (unless there is space), as this will be handled by the motherboard.

* Opto-isolation on the CAN bus would be nice - this may allow it to be used as a DeviceNet node sometime in the future. Possibly you could provide the isolation on the board, but use two of the header pins to provide the isolated voltage - these can always be tied to the non-isollated 5V supply for applications that don't need this function.

* Make second serial port selectable (jumper) between RS232 and RS422/RS485 (I need RS485).

* Add the 64Kword FSRAM to complete the data memory space.

That's about it for now - most of the other items relate to the motherboard... +/-10V and 0..20mA buffering of the analogue inputs.

Regards,

PJE

[nmitech]

Check these out,

http://www.newmicros.com/isopod/images/isopods.jpg

and

http://www.newmicros.com/isopod/images/isopod_v2.jpg


Here is the shematic for the IsoPod_V2,

http://www.newmicros.com/store/product_schematics_pdf/isopod_v2.pdf

[PJE]

Hi NMItech,

When can I get hold of a V2 with RS422/485?

Also, would it be possible to get hold of one with the same 0.1" headers throughout - ie. without the 90 degree one for the main power/serial/IO.

Regtards,

PJE

[nmitech]

PJE,

When can I get hold of a V2 with RS422/485?

In about 2 weeks or so to get the boards back from the PCB shop.

Yes, you can order the V2 as two Rs-232 configuration or One RS-232 and one RS-422/485 configuration but You must mention this option otherwise, you will receive the V2 with default setup for two RS-232 and the RS-422/485 chips are not installed. Maybe there is additional cost to add the 422/485 drivers. You can contact sales dept nmisales@newmicros.com during the office hour to confirm.

Also, would it be possible to get hold of one with the same 0.1" headers throughout - ie. without the 90 degree one for the main power/serial/IO.


Yes, just make sure to mention this when you place order.

---nmitech---

[PJE]

Hi,

Have you had any thoughts on isolating the RS422/RS485 and CAN interfaces.

I spotted the following devices online:

http://www.nve.com/products/isolators/isproducts.html

The look ideal for this application. I'm investigating the possiblity of using the isolated 422 chip, and also adding the 2in & 2out chip to the CAN interface.

Obviously this would have implications to the cost/size of the product, but would make the unit much more industrially robust.

Thoughts...

PJE

PS. Given that the RS422 & CAN chips would be external, has a thought been given to having a IsoPod which is basically just the CPU and associated support.

[PJE]

Originally posted by nmitech
In about 2 weeks or so to get the boards back from the PCB shop.


Will these units have v0.3 of IsoMax?

If not how long will I need to wait, as I don't want to buy one and then in a weeks time send it back to be updated...

Regards,

PJE

[BJ Freeman]

Originally posted by PJE
Hi,

Have you had any thoughts on isolating the RS422/RS485 and CAN interfaces.


Thoughts...

PJE

PS. Given that the RS422 & CAN chips would be external, has a thought been given to having a IsoPod which is basically just the CPU and associated support.

Hi.
Not sure if you looked at the schematic but the CANBUS does have a driver and so does the RS422/RS485

Or maybe i misunderstood your intent.

[PJE]

Originally posted by BJ Freeman
Not sure if you looked at the schematic but the CANBUS does have a driver and so does the RS422/RS485

Or maybe i misunderstood your intent.

The current interfaces are fine for local communications, but if you were going to connect to a device at a more remote location you need some form of galvanic isolation (opto/megnetic/etc) to prevent ground loops.

Profibus uses opto-isolation extensively, as do certain industrial CAN busses.

What would be nice would be an IsoPod with all the CPU related components - PSU, bypass caps, xtal, watchdog, power on reset chip,jtag - but no comms related components (with the possible exception of the RS232 driver on port 0). This would give the maximum flexibility when adding the device to a motherboard with additional components.

Regards,

PJE

[nmitech]

PJE, Certainly NMI can do what your application required. If you have a need for high volume production in the near future, please contact NMI's Sales Dept. nmisales@newmicros.com with your project details. We will give you a special quote and turn around time for this project. Thanks!

nmitech
----------

[CIM]

I'm interested in DeviceNet interface !
Team work to develop DeviceNet driver?
Please let me know..

[PJE]

Originally posted by CIM
I'm interested in DeviceNet interface !
Team work to develop DeviceNet driver?
Please let me know..

I'm going to get a 422/85 V2 IsoPod in the very near future (as soon as v0.3 is available) - it *should* be possible to code a simple DeviceNet slave in single chip mode, but it would be easier if the IsoPod had expanded data memory for message queues.

DeviceNet is fairly low on my priorities, I'm thinking about a custom PCB based around the IsoPod chip (or preferably the 807 version), but proving the product concept (analogue & encoder mainly) would come first.

Regards,

PJE

[shaneb]

How about an I2C interface? Has any thought been put into supplying code to do this?

-Shane

[BJ Freeman]

Originally posted by PJE


The current interfaces are fine for local communications, but if you were going to connect to a device at a more remote location you need some form of galvanic isolation (opto/megnetic/etc) to prevent ground loops.

Profibus uses opto-isolation extensively, as do certain industrial CAN busses.

What would be nice would be an IsoPod with all the CPU related components - PSU, bypass caps, xtal, watchdog, power on reset chip,jtag - but no comms related components (with the possible exception of the RS232 driver on port 0). This would give the maximum flexibility when adding the device to a motherboard with additional components.

Regards,

PJE



if you are going to use this, Isolated or not, be sure to put in Ferrite bead to all off board connectors. Also a breadboard area for interference filtering, after the ferrite's.
This comes from working with marine systems where grounding is a myth, are Spurious radiation such as RF is common.

[CIM]

For New Micros, it can be very interresting to sell boards who can be compatible with an industry standard. DeviceNet is maybe the strongest industry network on his category.
If we want to build a communication network, why not using an industry standard as reference and open network possibilities?

[BJ Freeman]

Originally posted by CIM
For New Micros, it can be very interresting to sell boards who can be compatible with an industry standard. DeviceNet is maybe the strongest industry network on his category.
If we want to build a communication network, why not using an industry standard as reference and open network possibilities?


The possiblities are there for any communication network (CAN). The hardware interface for this Chip is CAN 2.0. However the Software drivers can be for any protocol. I prefer OPEN CAN.

However the Main interest I have for the ISOPOD is the Motion control, and analog sensors.

I am purchasing the Boards popluated, but no software, so I have no problem with what New Micros provides.

As new micros suggested, if you have a requirement send them the specs and a production level order and they will provide it for you.

[PJE]

Originally posted by CIM
For New Micros, it can be very interresting to sell boards who can be compatible with an industry standard. DeviceNet is maybe the strongest industry network on his category.
If we want to build a communication network, why not using an industry standard as reference and open network possibilities?


I feel that other than the possibility of extra memory the only thing missing from the IsoPod as it currently stands is the ability to access the CAN and second serial device before they go through the driver ICs. This would allow any form of external interface to be provided on a motherboard... It would be nice to have the raw signals to one of the headers and cut links or jumpers to break their paths to the other driver ICs.

Just my 2c.

PJE

[nmitech]

IsoPod V2 & IsoMax V0.3 are available now.

For Software upgarde, Please email your invoice # or company name to: nmiproduction@newmicros.com to get a RMA # to send the IsoPod back for upgrade.

To order IsoPod V2, please contact sales dept, nmisales@newmicros.com

Thanks!

nmitech
----------

[BJ Freeman]

Originally posted by nmitech
IsoPod V2 & IsoMax V0.3 are available now.


----------

[nmitech]

Just in case if ya want to know what are the differences on IsoMax V0.2 and IsoMax V0.3.

http://www.newmicros.com/store/product_manual/words03.pdf

http://www.newmicros.com/store/product_manual/words02.pdf

All the added WORDS on IsoMax V0.3 are covered on page 61 to 72 of the IsoPod Manual under Object Oriented Extensions.

[nmitech]

New 3.3V/5.0V adapter board for IsoPod(TM)/V2

Check this out,
http://www.newmicros.com/cgi-bin/store/order.cgi?form=prod&cat=isopod

[VRkshop]

I plan to program the IsoPod at 4800 baud and below, from a Casio PB-1000. Thus I wonder if I can clock it downwards for this purpose? Eventually I plan to use a ACTiSYS IR8200H or a ACT-IR100S http://www.actisys.com/instantir.html, programming from a Psion S5.

[nmitech]

This will change the SCI0 baud rate register to run at 4800.

HEX 209 F00 !

[PJE]

Originally posted by nmitech
New 3.3V/5.0V adapter board for IsoPod(TM)/V2

Check this out,
http://www.newmicros.com/cgi-bin/store/order.cgi?form=prod&cat=isopod


The new board looks interesting... How much height does it add to the IsoPod?

Is the 25V an absolute maximum? as I run equipment off 24VDC which doesn't leave much headroom.

Also, would it be possible for the IsoPod to have all the connectors on the bottom, as there seems to be only a couple of components on this side of the board (RS232?) and this would allow low profile mounting of the IsoPod to a motherboard...

Regards,

PJE

PS. Is the new IsoPod_V2_SR available in a development or Quick kit?

[nmitech]

The new board looks interesting... How much height does it add to the IsoPod?

The height of the IsoPod with Swithching regulator is 0.47".

The height of the IsoPod with Linear regulators is 0.65".


Is the 25V an absolute maximum? as I run equipment off 24VDC which doesn't leave much headroom.

Yes, 25V is Max for Vin per spec. Here is switching data link,
http://www.linear.com/prod/datasheet.html?datasheet=903


Also, would it be possible for the IsoPod to have all the connectors on the bottom, as there seems to be only a couple of components on this side of the board (RS232?) and this would allow low profile mounting of the IsoPod to a motherboard...

You can request to install the connector on the bottom side if you wish. But this does not reduce the height as you thought on either version.

PS. Is the new IsoPod_V2_SR available in a development or Quick kit?

Yes, you can order the Quick_Kit or Development Kit with any option: V2 with or without SR. The only different is the additional cost for the SR(swithching regulator), $25

[VRkshop]

Originally posted by nmitech
This will change the SCI0 baud rate register to run at 4800.

HEX 209 F00 !



Thanks for the code!

Hypothetically though, If I sit at some lonely moon crater and only have a Casio PB-1000 capable of max 4800 baud, a frequency divider circuit, and an IsoPod, would I be able start talking to it?