Product category: Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: Micro-Robotics | Subject: VM-1
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 14 August 2002
Embedded controller comes with its own RTOS
The VM-1 from Micro-Robotics is a credit-card-sized embedded control computer that is used with Venom-SC, the latest version of the popular object-oriented control-system language.
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The VM-1 from Micro-Robotics is a new, credit-card-sized embedded control computer that is used with Venom-SC, the latest version of the popular, object-oriented, control-system language first developed at Micro-Robotics, to handle analogue and digital I/O, graphical user interfaces, communication protocols, data and text files and numerous other functions. One of the most important strengths of the VM-1 control system is the power and ease of use of the new Venom-SC software. This combination of a powerful processor, easy to use program language and comprehensive I/O resources will make the VM-1 highly suitable for applications such as intelligent instruments, handheld devices, industrial automation and process control systems, security systems and many other applications.
The CPU is a 16bit Hitachi H8S processor running at 16MHz with 128K or 512K battery backed RAM and 512K Flash that contains both the Venom-SC software and the user applications.
A PCF8583 real time clock calendar is also provided as is alarm signal and watchdog supervisor IC, LED function indicator and program mode and baud rate/user switches.
The comprehensive I/O resources include: two serial ports up to 38,400baud asynchronous and 250Kbaud synchronous, two I2C buses, one Microwire/SPI bus, six pulse I/O channels (six PWM and four pulse counting) and two quadrature shaft encoders (four inputs).
Eight 10bit analogue inputs, two 8bit analogue outputs and 42 digital I/O channels are also available.
These are not all operable at the same time but detailed instructions are supplied.
The VM-1 plugs into the main application PCB providing control of a wide range of user interfaces and I/O devices.
Alternatively, Micro-Robotics can supply a range of application boards and matching I/O cards.
These application boards provide plug-in access to RS232 and RS485 serial ports, various analogue, digital and pulse I/O functions, keyboard and display interfaces for both graphic and alphanumeric displays; two I2C buses; Microwire/SPI and an EEPROM.
One of the application boards also doubles as a Flash programmer for duplicating the finished application or for updating the copy of Venom-SC.
A range of industrial I/O expansion boards can also be connected to the VM-1.
To ensure rapid start-up of the design project, Micro-Robotics offers a VM-1 starter kit that includes a VM-1 control computer, Venom-SC flash, clock chip, a VM-1 application board and 16-key keypad.
The starter kit also includes a 20 character by two line alphanumeric LCD, a serial lead and power supply.
Full documentation in electronic format and free technical support is supplied with all starter kits.
Many additional functions can be added to the VM-1 via its two I2C buses and the Microwire and processor buses.
Venom allows engineers to create a working control system in a very short time and there are three main benefits of the system that support this.
Firstly, Venom has a built-in library of driver objects that handle everything from graphics LCDs to digital I/O ports.
All the designer has to do is to tell these tried-and-trusted objects what to do.
Secondly Venom is developed at a real-time command-line.
This means that immediate feedback is provided when a command is entered ensuring rapid learning and fast debugging.
Finally, Venom incorporates a built-in real time operating system (RTOS).
Just one keyword is all that is needed to create a new independent task.
This new embedded control system provides a powerful tool, allowing designers to develop control systems in the shortest possible times and will be ideal for many control applications.
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