The Compact-Flash Wildcard and
CF Card Software Package User Guide

Introduction

The Compact Flash Wildcard expands the memory capabilities of Mosaic embedded controllers by providing a plug-in interface to large-capacity removable flash data storage. Flash is solid-state nonvolatile read/write memory that maintains its contents even in the absence of applied power. The Compact Flash Wildcard is ideal for applications that require large amounts of memory, the convenience of removable storage, and file-based data exchange with a PC.

This Wildcard allows you to plug in widely available Compact Flash memory cards that measure only 1.5" by 1.7" and hold many megabytes of nonvolatile data. We recommend using SanDisk Compact Flash cards which are available from Mosaic Industries and from computer retailers.

The Compact Flash card is a physically smaller implementation of the popular PCMCIA card (also known as a PC Card). Most laptop computers have a socket that hosts PCMCIA memory cards. A low-cost adapter converts the Compact Flash card to the PCMCIA form factor for easy use with a laptop computer. These cards use the IBM-compatible ATA disk drive interface standard, and can be read and written from most laptop computers.

This tiny 2" by 2.5" board is a member of the Wildcard series that connects to Mosaic embedded controllers.

This document reviews the CF Wildcard hardware jumper settings, and describes the ATA Flash Card Software Package which is provided as a pre-packaged "kernel extension" that is easily loaded onto the host Mosaic Controller. This software is referred to as the "CF Card Software".

Specifications

Built-in Software

Built-in software running on the companion Mosaic Controller implements C file manipulation functions and supports a standard DOS- and Windows-style "FAT" (File Allocation Table) file system, allowing files to be created on a PC and read via the CF Wildcard, or visa versa. An automated file processing capability facilitates fool-proof software upgrades and data exchanges.

File Management Functions

A comprehensive set of file management functions modeled on the ANSI C file library lets you create, open, close, read, write, rename, copy and delete files. Other software features include directory listing commands that behave like the DOS DIR command, printing and file capture commands, and a powerful redirection capability that allows any function to take its input from a specified file and send its output to a specified file. This set of functions allows files to be managed from within the Mosaic Controller and/or the PC environment.

Automated File Loading and Execution

Fool-proof software upgrades are facilitated by the automated file processing feature. You can specify one or more files to be automatically loaded to or from the Mosaic Controller’s memory at startup. This powerful capability enables field software upgrades that are accomplished by simply inserting a pre-configured CF Card into the CF Wildcard socket.

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