Looking for a RS-232 microcontroller that has 3 outputs for servos....

[Shockwave]

Well, I know all of Jack about microcontrollers, so dont really even know where to start or what to look for. Looking for a microcontroller that accepts input from a RS-232 port and has 3 outputs.
Thanks.

 

[sillymofo]

How many are you looking for?

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
How many are you looking for?

Only need 1 provided it does what I need, accept 1 input out have 3 outputs.

 

[CClyph]

So basically, you are looking for a microcontroller. Take your pick from Microchip, Motorola, Atmel, etc... Every microcontroller I know of is compatible with RS232. You just have to connect the proper pins from your RS232 to the proper pins on the microcontroller, configure the RS232 device and microcontroller to communicate at the same baud rate, and use the appropriate commands according to the datasheets.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo How many are you looking for?

Only need 1 provided it does what I need, accept 1 input out have 3 outputs.

I know a company that manufacture these things, don't know if they retail Micro Analog

 

[Shockwave]

Can these microcontrollers software be used on a Windows OS? Or exactly how does the software side of things work?

 

[PrincessGuard]

Plenty of MCUs will have what you want. How much memory and speed do you want and what's your budget?

 

[arcas]

Some MCUs support RS232 outright, but most only have generic I/O pins. The voltages are wrong but you can often get by using only a resistor. You'd still need to write the routines to handle the serial traffic (which is kinda messy since you're working at such a low level). There are 'helper' chips available like the MAX232 which will help you do proper RS232 signalling but you'd still need to do the low-level MCU coding.

Alternatively, there are some higher-level MCUs, like the Basic Stamp, the BasicX MCU family and the BASIC ATOM family that do the low-level stuff for you and let you do the coding in BASIC rather than low-level assembly. They're quite a bit more expensive but if you're looking to do something specific and don't have much experience with microcontrollers, they might be your best bet.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: PrincessGuard
Plenty of MCUs will have what you want. How much memory and speed do you want and what's your budget?

Well, I want the microcontroller to interface to a P3 (or AMD) 1 ghtz running Windows 2K or Win Xp. System RAM as needed.

 

[DAM]

Shockwave: i don't think you have any idea what you are asking (not an insult) but how about your explain to us what you are trying to do.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: DAM
Shockwave: i don't think you have any idea what you are asking (not an insult) but how about your explain to us what you are trying to do.

Your absolutely right! *L*
Ok, heres the long story. Remember that ncie car computer install in the Audi? Well, I'd like to do something similiar. Except I want full integration. Only thing in the dash is an LCD and the switch for 4WD. I want the PC to interface with the climate controls as well. Thats the tricky part. Setting up the PC to do the audio is simple becuase you bypass the OEM equipment (Baring speakers...)
So I've come up with an idea.
If I can get a microcontroller module to interface to the climate controls, then hook the microprocessor up to the PC I'd be set. The LCD would display simple settings and you just push the switch you want, then select the setting (Touchscreen LCD). The microprocessor would take the input from the Car Computer and set the approriate climate control settings. Heat, vent selector and fan speed.
So i need a microcontroller that has a simple interface (preferably custom, so I could have a nice GUI) and has 3 outputs, 1 for vent selector, 1 for tempature and 1 for fan speed.

Now the problem here is I know Jack All about microcontrollers. So, while in theory this seems a fairly simple project, I think in practice it would be a bit difficult for me to do. Hence, I'm looking for easy to implement ideas to get a PC to control a cars climate settings.

 

[treemonkey]

How much are you looking to spend?

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: treemonkey
How much are you looking to spend?

Well, not a whole lot. I think I found my ticket in a BasicX controller.

 

[DAM]

any 32 bit microcontroller (mc) will work, I recommend the new TI MSP430, it is easy/simple to use. You need to know C or assembly, and have some knowledge of hardware and software design.


dam()