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Session 2559

Microprocessor Networking with a Minimum Number of External Connections

Dr Bruce E. Segee (email: segee@eece.maine.edu), Binaya Acharya (email: bacharya@eece.maine.edu), Isaac Horn (email: isaac.horn@umit.maine.edu), Michael Case (email: michael.case@umit.maine.edu)

Department Of Electrical and Computer Engineering Instrumentation Research Laboratory University of Maine, Orono

Abstract

Networking refers to the connection of multiple systems together to allow the transfer of information to and from each other. This can be achieved in a variety of ways. Such methods include serial connections such as RS-232 or RS-485 as well as more sophisticated methods such as IEEE 802.3 (commonly called Ethernet). Furthermore networking between the systems can use a wire connection, fiber optics, or wireless connections.

A networking of microprocessors using Ethernet is being developed at the Instrumentation Research Lab, University of Maine. Owing to the design constraints, it is necessary to have a network of a large number of microprocessors that are located inside an enclosed space. The application requires that power be supplied externally. Overall, the number of connections to the outside world must be a minimum. Each microprocessor interacts with a variety of different I/O devices, both analog and digital. After a thorough research of all the available microprocessors, the RabbitCore module RCM2200 was selected. This is a very small board that includes the Microprocessor as well as a built-in Ethernet compatibility. Furthermore, the inclusion of a TCP/IP protocol stack allows the network to easily interface to the outside world. Including power and ground, the number of connections to the outside world is six, yet the number of controllers, processing power, or number of I/O points is virtually unlimited. Furthermore, the use of standard networking protocols simplifies the software design and improves the flexibility.

1.Introduction

Microprocessors have long been used to control devices but their power to transfer data over a network has seldom been exploited. The use of microprocessor “Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Case, M., & Acharya, B., & Segee, B., & Horn, I. (2002, June), Microprocessor Networking With A Minimum Number Of External Connections Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10662