Hi! I am working on an undergraduate project, it is a device that shoul measure energy consumption then send the data to a pc (connected through network hub) which will log the measurements. My problem is I don't hav much knowledge about ethernet controllers or embedded ethernet. I hav researched and seemed to conclude that I need an ethernet board whic will receive the data from the meter and then send it to the pc. Could yo guys suggest a cheap ethernet board that I can use because I really don' have the time to build one and the focus of the project is on the mete although sending the data through LAN is important as well.
help on finding cheap ethernet controller/board
Feb 18, 2008
10 Replies
How much is "cheap"? I personally favor the Luminary 3S6965 evaluation board, because it is more or less turnkey, includes a USB debug interface on-board, and has a lot of generally useful stuff on it. It costs US$69.95; probably more overseas.
Olimex has a very wide variety of products too, but I haven't used any of their Ethernet-capable boards. Many people in this NG use Olimex products, myself included.
here is a wide variety to check out:
formatting link
Cheers Don...
Don McKenzie
Affiliate Program: http://www.dontronics.com/affiliate
Site Map: http://www.dontronics.com/sitemap
E-Mail Contact Page: http://www.dontronics.com/email
No More Damn Spam: http://www.wizard-of-oz.com
Parallax Propeller Powered .96" OLED module
http://tinyurl.com/2vr2gr
For a one-off project, a Lantronix XPort may be a simpler way to go, although it will still take some development time to integrate it into your app.
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
Get a copy of Circuit Cellar Ink magazine
formatting link
You'll find tons of articles and ads for just what you're looking for.
good luck. George
You might like to take a look at the Luminary Micro eval kits for Ethernet:
formatting link
Regards,
Richard.
+ http://www.FreeRTOS.org & http://www.FreeRTOS.org/shop
14 official architecture ports, 5000 downloads per month.
+ http://www.SafeRTOS.com
Certified by TÜV as meeting the requirements for safety related systems.
Cheap is relative. You could use a full blown small formfactor PC if you're familiar with that environment. You could get a pico-itx (10x7cm) motherboard or a cheaper mini-itx (17x17cm) motherboard with an embedded ethernet cotroller. Or you could get a microcontroller development kit like the Freescale M52233DEMO.
Petter
A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
A: Top-posting.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?
Woah, thanks for your replies!
Here are some additional specifics on the project so that you ca understand it more:
-I will be using an energy metering IC (ADE7752A,Analog Devices), thi will output a signal with frequency proportional to the energy measured This is the only input to my microcontroller.
-The microcontroller should display output on an LCD and also send th values measured to the ethernet board.
-I plan on using a Z8 Encore! microcontroller since it is readil available here in the Philippines (unlike Microchip-PIC which don't sel products here.)
Some of the online embedded ethernet boards I am taking a look at are:
1) The Ethernet "MINI" by Fred Eady
formatting link
$69 (By the way, he also posts articles on circuitcellar)
2) Spartan2E FPGA boards -I have used them in my university, I have knowledge on VHDL although don't know if the board has the necessary TCP/IP drivers suite that I nee to be able to send messages on the network. (I don't have the time to cod the necessary TCP/IP related software.)
3) Olimex ENC28J60 ETHERNET CONTROLLER DEVELOPMENT BOARD (dontronics.com)
Can any of these be driven by the z8? or do I have to change m microController to use them? Please share your ideas on this one guys. Thanks again!
Might as well blow our trumpet again...
formatting link
It may not be the cheapest hardware combination but our standard controller product includes a TCP/IP stack and has a built in programming language both of which will cut your programming time dramatically.
Have you considered how your PC will receive the data? We support several ways of transferring data where you won't have to write any PC code at all. (http server, ftp, email)
Anahata snipped-for-privacy@microrobotics.co.uk
maybe rabbitsemiconductor.com be at help. Its not cheap but simple and easy.
ali
formatting link
Regards, Murray R. Van Luyn
32°02'14.23"S 115°53'21.30"E
http://www.review-a-gadget.com/
http://www.reviewagadget.com/
http://members.iinet.net.au/~vanluynm/
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required