Re: Dwarf board ethernet

For myself, my ideas all revolve around using the
ethernet board to interface non-networked systems to
ethernet for limited communications with a master
station, where the master station mandates and
moderates the communications. This would be in
situations where the non-networked systems are on a
site with network connectivity. PoE is okay, but I
would prefer the wall-wart option.

For me, pin headers are great as that would seem to be
the cheapest interconnect option. VDD and VSS on the
pin headers would also be fantastic, allowing a single
supply for limited additional circuitry. 

I'm envisioning a 19 inch rack mount, 1U high, 8 inch
deep box that would allow me to put non-networkable
equipment/systems on the network.

UDP and limited TCP is fantastic. If this works the
way that I believe that it would, I'm not sure that
you understand the possible commercial applications
for such a device. Low cost, small real estate,
network interfacing for legacy systems increases their
profitable lifetime. BIG money there. Such a unit with
a sub EUR 50 price point is fantastic. Think telemetry
here.

Even the cost of an additional interfacing MCU would
not push the cost too much higher. This being a one
time cost makes it extremely attractive. OEM network
interfaces are typically prohibitively expensive, even
if the OEM is still in business.

I can see an additional branch for the development on
this project, one targeted directly at ethernet based
telemetry systems. Make that an open source project,
and I'm sure that JAL will get a lot of 'air play'.

Putting ethernet interfacing in the hands of anyone
with a PIC micro is an absolute world changing thing
in my view. I can see home brew interfaces to many
things in my house using ethernet. It would take about
2 hours to interface such a product to a 15 dollar
coffee pot and then my robot or PC could control that
device, and ensure that it does not stay on all day
long or make sure that it does not turn on till I am
awake and out of bed. I can see an entire industry
based on retrofitting such devices as aftermarket
systems to home appliances for home automation.

I can envision many things with this product. Please,
all you developers, keep going. It is an inspiring
thing to see you working together like you are. I
believe in open source projects, and as much as I'm
able, I will help, though I am probably well
out-classed by those already involved.

I know that there has been some discussion about UDP
being a 'lossy' protocol, but I will testify to its
potential, and indeed, its value where communications
can be kept to a minimum. Much of the business that I
work with is based on UDP, and it works well if
treated correctly. In fact, robust systems treat TCP
and UDP connections in similar ways when determining
connectivity and status etc. at a higher comms level,
so UDP is often very effective, especially where
bandwidth priorities are concerned.

Okay, I'm sorry for being verbose. I just get excited
sometimes when I see a very valuable development
happening.

Cheers


--- Eur van Andel  wrote:
> On Tue, 1 Jun 2004 11:42:03 -0700 (PDT), Mr S
>  wrote:
> 
> >I know that there have been several people involved
> in
> >creating the PIC Ethernet configuration, and some
> have
> >expressed interest in experimenting with it. I want
> to
> >second that interest, and I would be interested in
> >probably 5 boards. The option for 28 and 40 pin
> PICs
> >is nice as it opens up what else might be done with
> >the board. I have a couple of ideas in mind.
> >
> >I continue to read with interest.
> Something like this?
> 
>

d.gif
> 
> Some components are still missing, the filter and
> the RJ45 jack. Power supply
> too. 
> 
> 
> You can help by giving more specifications:
> 
> Power over Ethernet? 5V OK?
> Separate power source with wall-wart and 7805?
> Both?
> How would you like to access port_a & port_c? ML10
> sockets? inline pin headers?
> Also Vdd and Vss on pinheaders?
> 
> I still have the fantasy that I can etch this board,
> that's why the RTL8019AS
> is on the bottom :-)
> 
> The final double sided board should have everything
> on top, right? 
> 
> 
> Has somebody Eagled a QFP-100 before? I'm having
> trouble with flooding the
> ground plane between the pads, where they are all
> grounded. I don't like the
> layout that came with Eagle, I probably have to
> re-draw the package :-(
> 
> Is there a nice PDF file with the recommended pad
> layout for this package?
> Preferably in mils, please. Electronics and metric
> sizes are a bad combination.
> 
> --
> Ir. E.E. van Andel, Fine Wire Heat Exchangers,
> Fiwihex B.V. www.fiwihex.com
> Wierdensestraat 74, NL-7604 BK  Almelo, The
> Netherlands   eur@fiwihex.nl
> phone +31-546-491106  fax +31-546-491107  mobile
> +31-653-286573  
> 
>