Custom Software,
Real-Time RFID
| |
Industrial Networking, Custom Software, Real-Time RFID |
 |
 |
||
|
|
ConnectMe and WiMe: This
image copyright Digi Inc.GlueLogix has created a number of high level network applications with realtime serial backends that run on the Digi ConnectMe. The ConnectMe (wired) and WiMe (WiFi) are better than standard network-serial adapters because they are smart. They can be programmed to emulate many common network devices, with a backend that matches your application. Chances are GlueLogix can work up something that meets your needs for a price you can afford. The ConnectMe and WiMe are pin-compatible. You can add either device to your own equipment, or use it with the GlueBoard or with the simple board shown below. A typical ConnectMe/WiMe application looks like this:  GlueLogix Open Source Project:Remote RS232 PortThis started out being a much more complex design, with interesting software, but then the recession hit. Electronics companies were forced to come out with new products, and at least two had the idea of encapsulating a network server in an RJ45 shell. Of the two, Digi's solution is by far the more capable design, with 2 MB of memory, an ARM processor, and a high speed serial port with digital I/O (configurable as handshake or GPIO).The Digi product is called the ConnectMe. It provides Ethernet connectivity to any design with 300 mA available at 3.3 volts. The companion product, WiMe, shares the same footprint and all interfaces, but gives you 802.11 connectivity. Here's the URL: http://www.digi.com/products/embeddeddeviceservers/digiconnectme.jsp The software that comes with the ConnectMe is more than adequate for a remote serial port or I/O monitor. Among its many functions are the ability to wait for serial traffic, open a TCP session with a configured host, and forward that traffic to the configured host, closing the connection afterwards. You can write your own software too. Digi sells two levels of development kit, one for people who want to use and extend the default software, and another for people who want to take over the system with a new application all their own. The design presented here is a minimal life support system for the ConnectMe with RS232 level translation and a simple power supply. The schematic is drawn in gEDA. 17Nov04: Since first posting this project, I have written software that loads onto the Connectme, replacing Digi's standard firmware. As it turned out, it was quite an adventure. Read all about it on my ConnectMe blog: http://DigiConnectMeNotes.blogspot.com |
