[lcdproc] [lcdproc app] ULIOC update...

[wire]

I know it has been a while since I updated but I had a few 
induced hardware failures and this "work" thing keep eating
up my free time...

any way today after scraping together a new system i got
both inputs and outputs working at the same time!!
Currently I have all my code in basic but will update
to debug ( assembly) then to C when I convert my test 
machine over to linux. (currently running off a RLL 
20Meg HD running dos) My current plan of attack for
the final touches is below. 


1. fully expand the I/O on this card and run bit 
exercisers to make sure that there is no interference/
buss problems with all that extra stuff glommed onto the 
ISA data buss.

2. Update web page with new photos, plans and 
start the theory and software sections. 

3. setup my spare machine (486) with linux and move
the ULIOC prototype over to it. 

4. Embed the LCD interface stuff directly into the ULIOC 
card so you just connect a 14 or 16 pin header from the card
to the hd44XXX based lcd and you are ready to go..

5. EL backlight inverter onboard/ LED software power on/off
(LED will be done for sure not so sure on the inverter currently
playing with it.)

6. LCDproc interface code and /dev/ULIOC device code (last
mostly because I know the least about it. The hardware stuff
is easy the software on the other hand is black magic some days)

these more than likely will not be done in any curtain order 
other than part 1 will be worked on first (just adding a few more
chips) while I am finishing other parts.


now for those who have Email me with technical question I could
not answer at the moment (or was not sure) here Is a quick summery 
of the answers

Q: are the output inverted? (if I write a 1 to the I/O port 
does that pin go low)

A: no a 0 output a low state a 1 outputs a high state

Q: are the inputs inverted

A: no if there is a high at the input the I/O port show a 1

Q: are the outputs latched

A: most definitely yes. they stay in the state you put them
in till you change them or the system does a cold boot.

Q: are the inputs latched

A: sort of they are latched during the read and soon as the read is
done they are released.

Q: is there access to IRQs?

A: not at this time you can get at them if you would like to add
your own.

Q: what's the max number of I/O lines I can have in my machine

A: Hmmm a lot. there are 64 inputs and 64 outputs to a block of
8 I/O addresses so 128 time the number of free blocks of 8 in your 
machine (the card can be addressed almost any where by changing the 
dip switches)

Q: what happens to an input if it is left floating (will it report a
high 
or a low?)

A: currently it reports a high this can be fixed by adding a 10K ohm 
resistor from ground to the input line. I am hoping to use this floating
high when I develop an opto-isolator circuit for this card.

Q: what kind of buffering does this card have (if I misswire some thing
am
I going to blow my pc??)

A: depends. if the miswire is on the card it's self then there is a
chance.
if the miswire is external and you are not using any external power
sources 
(i.e. it runs off the +5V line from the pc) then no. with external power
sources
there is a chance depending on the voltage levels. but more than likely
the 
part to die would be the buffers on the card (cheep) I am also working 
on a add on to the card that will opto-isolate it from the "real world"
and
as long as it is not connected to a 5KV source or greater the only
possible 
part that could fry is the optoisolator chip. This also allows for 
a greater verity of input voltage levels you only have to select a
resistor
of appropriate value to keep the LED from frying.

Q: is there going to be a pcb available 

A: would love to have a bunch made up and available to people but the
one place
I know of that makes small lots of cards at a reasonable price will not
do edge 
connectors. 

I think that is all the questions that I had left hanging in the past
any
more feel free to ask and I will get back to you..

Later
Wire

-- 
       !!!!!!!!!!!Go Build a Robot!!!!!!!!!!!
       !   http://members.home.net/wireb/   !
       !!!!!!!!!!!Go Build a Robot!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter Shabino                Graduated Electrical Engineering
wireb@home.com               Michigan Technological University
2015 41st ST. NW apt. F13    Now at 
Rochester, MN 55901          IBM card test division


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