Embedded Interface Board
inc. VAT · £90.01 more for free delivery
Embedded Interface Board offering
Digital input / output pins x 18
I2C with external pull up resistors
SPI with multiple Chip Select (CS) pins
UART with software receive buffer
PWM output x 2 (10-bit)
ADC analogue input x 3 (10-bit)
DAC digital output (5-bit)
Servo motor output x 6
USB API Version - Controlled via USB virtual serial port connection.
WIFI API Version - Connected via WIFI to a local network and controlled via Network TCP communications.
Supported Programming Languages
Python
C#
Flowcode 8-11 (Directly and Via SCADA Slave Injector components)
Flowcode 7
Others available on demand
I often find I create libraries for new embedded modules from scratch based on the device datasheet. In generating the library I find I get stuck in a cycle of code, compile, program and test when ensuring things work and are bug free. Often the compile and program times can be much longer then the time it takes to edit the code and so a way to cut out these steps when developing would be very handy.
I also often want to interface an embedded module with a PC. If the module doesn't specifically have a WIFI connection which is often the case then you generally have to buy an overpriced converter that will do a single job such as just SPI or just I2C.
It is for these reasons I decided to create the universal interface board. Its designed to allow for easy PC based communications with embedded modules.
Supported in Flowcode 8 allowing you to control the various aspects of the board directly or via an existing component using an injector component to redirect the virtual simulated comms to the interface board (SPI, I2C, UART only). Also supported with a Python library and examples as well as C# library and examples.
Other programming languages including Matlab, Java, C++, VB and Labview are also supported by the board but libraries to communicate with the board are not currently implemented. Please let me know if you would be interested in libraries for the above languages.
The pins of the board can be driven at 5V or 3V3 to allow for a impressive range of compatible hardware, from Grove modules to Click modules and other various ICs, sensors and communications modules.
The board can be controlled via a WIFI network.
USB requires a standard Micro USB cable - sold separately.
Firmware, Flowcode Component, Python library, C# library and examples can be found here: https://github.com/RowlandTechnology/Interface-Board
Firmware updates require a Microchip PICkit 3 or PICkit 4 to reprogram the controller IC on the board.
Please note the board is not suitable for bus communications requiring custom high speed timings such as used on DHT11 or WS2812B without specific firmware designed to do this.