Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!concert!sas!mozart.unx.sas.com!sasrer
From: sasrer@unx.sas.com (Rodney Radford)
Subject: Re: Info on Stamp Networking
Sender: news@unx.sas.com (Noter of Newsworthy Events)
Message-ID: <sasrer.771555006@sas.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 1994 00:50:06 GMT
References: <CrCMsy.4rE@pts.mot.com>
Nntp-Posting-Host: cinnamon.unx.sas.com
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Lines: 34

RedKnight@tseserv (RedKnight) writes:
>I am trying to find out if anyone has developed any practical networking
>configurations using Stamp/PIC controllers.  I have seen the simple
>method using the serial line (described by Scott Edwards in Nuts & Volts).
>This is clever but too limiting for a network with decent size and
>performance.

Look into the I2C specs - it uses two wires for bi-directional, multi-
master networking.  I2C (pronounced I-squared-C) is the Inter Integrated
Circuit was originally developed for use on a single board for typing
various peripheral ICs together but has been used successfully for 
networking boards together. The normal I2C parts only allow about 40-50
feet of cable for use in short-haul systems. However, there are I2C
extenders that can greatly increase this distance (over 1 mile).

I2C only describes the hardware interface, not any software protocol that
you may need. ACCESS.BUS is one such software protocol that it's 
developers hope will eventually be to PCs what Apple's ADB is to the MAC.

I am currently using an I2C ssytem for connecting various microcontrollers
on my 386 based robot. There will be some PIC, BASIC-STAMP, 68705k1, etc
microcontrollers used in the final design.

Contact Phillips for more info (ask for the I2C peripherals book - the
standard is doc'ed in it).

have fun...


--
---
Rodney Radford,     Senior Systems Developer,  Image Technology Group
sasrer@unx.sas.com  SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC 27513  (919) 677-8000 x7703

