black box specs was Re: interpolation and algorithms of multiple axes

ron wrote:

>Good to hear this discussion. We have had this before, but it has ?
>never quite turned into reality.

Ron,

Thanks for joining in with some good thoughts. You're right, let's
get this to the next level!

Towards that end:

P-ports are familiar and easy. And disappearing??!!
Serial ports are a pain, and familiar. And being replaced???
USB seems to be gaining steam as the NEXT "desktop" std...
Firewire seems to be a good choice ?? (evolving as an industrial std)

Comments, anyone?

>I would be thrilled to pay a couple hundred dollars to have a box
>like flashcut sells, with an open protocol. I would finish up my VB
>Conversational program very quick to run on it.

The "flashcut box" is a std. microcontroller serial-type board. Has a
processor and oscillator, a max232, and some "update able" ROM. I
believe it is a proprietary "motion system on a chip". I would not
want this!! I really would want to keep the interp algorithms and
trajectory planning on the pc.

But I do like the idea of a multi-axis pulse gen that I have
to "update" periodically... And I'd like some I/O "out there in the
box" as well... How many I/O bits do you think we NEED? And how many
do we Want? :-)

>I am not interested in boards to be plugged into the PC that need
>drivers to run them. PCs have well know ports- serial and parallel,
>either of which is far faster than needed to control an intelligent
>box from VB. Don't need to open the PC box.

Agreed. NO "plug-in" boards! So, again I ask, Which protocol?

>And, keep the drive board separate from the 'signal generator' Then I
>can use a simple 1.2 amp chip, or Dans 5 amp board, or Marris
>Step/dir Servo board, whatever I need, with the same signal box.

Yes, definitely. Mariss, What do you think the "form factor" of this
circuit is/ will be. Since the posted circuit is old, will you be
using ASIC or FPGA or ...? Will it be "geckodrive" size? Where will
the power come from? Details. Details.

>I like SimpleStep, and the PicServo, but they have different command
>sets. Id like one box to support.

Yes. Again agreed. And let's keep Jeff Bs' advice in mind. Figure out
the LEAST BIT that NEEDS hardware! This is a product/ project/
situation which will scream for feature-itis, IMO! Let's keep the box
really simple.

>Sounds like Marris has the interest and ability to design and build
>the box, who's going to write the code?
>ron ginger

I'm VERY interested in this project. But I'd like to see some answers
from the list to my questions/opinions above first...

Hope this helps.

Ballendo