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Mosaic embedded designs » Embedded controllers » Single board computers » Tiny m68hc11 instrument controller

QCardTM - a tiny low cost single board computer for data acquisition and instrument control

tiny single board computer for data acquisition and instrument control





A Tiny Yet Versatile Embedded Computer

The QCardTM packs a programmable computer, up to 1 megabyte of memory, communications, analog and digital I/O, and an expansion I/O bus on a tiny low-cost board. This 2" x 2.5" single board computer is perfect for space-constrained applications and dramatically cuts the cost of data acquisition and control. It is ideal for machine automation, industrial control, robotics, handheld data acquisition, and portable scientific instruments.

The I/O-rich QCard hosts a 16 MHz Motorola 68HC11F1 microprocessor, 512K Flash and 128K RAM (expandable to 512K), and 512 bytes of EEPROM. On-board I/O includes 8 digital I/O lines with counter/timer capabilities, 8 analog inputs, a fast synchronous SPI serial interface, and dual RS232/485 serial ports. An optional real-time clock tracks the calendar and time of day and battery-backs the 128K RAM.

The QCard is easily programmable in C, Forth or Assembly using any PC. Embedded programming tools include an interactive debugger, a multitasking executive, and comprehensive device-driver libraries.

To communicate with the QCard via USB, order a USB to RS232 adapter and cable (see QCC-USB option below).

Turn your instrument into an embedded web server

Use Mosaic's EtherSmart Wildcard, a 2x2.5" modular board to web-enable your QCard. The Ethersmart Wildcard enables communications between your instrument and other computers or peripherals via a Local Area Network (LAN) using the standard packet-based Ethernet signaling protocol. Simply plug a standard Ethernet cable into the RJ-45 jack on the Wildcard, and your instrument can communicate with other computers on a Local Area Network (LAN). Want to go wireless? Use the WiFi Wildcard which implements a wireless interface via a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) using the standard 802.11b/g packet-based protocol. Your application program can send emails to alert other computers on the network when significant events occur. You can even "browse into" your instrument using a browser running on an online PC to monitor the status of your instrument.

Expandable I/O

Convenient connectors allow for simple mechanical integration. Like all of Mosaic's embedded controllers with low cost A/D D/A, the QCard can directly host I/O expansion modules called the WildcardsTM that you can mix and match depending on your application. Up to four easy-to-use Wildcards can stack onto the 24 pin Wildcard connector on the QCard. A convenient Docking PanelTM - a 4"x 2.5" module includes an efficient switching power regulator and expands the Wildcard bus to host up to 8 Wildcards. For space constrained applications, cosnsider a Slim PowerDock. Measuring just 2" x 2.5", it hosts a high-efficiency 1 amp 5 volt switching power supply, dual DB9 serial connectors, I/O connectors, a power jack, a power switch, and hosts up to 4 Wildcards.

Wildcards implement a wide variety of user interface, communications, embedded data acquisition and control capabilities. Available Wildcards include GPS tracking, Ethernet and WiFi communications, Keypad/Display module, octal 12-bit D/A and 16-bit A/D converters, a 24-bit resolution analog data acquisition subsystem, compact flash card mass memory interface, fast buffered RS232/485 dual UART, high voltage/high current isolated I/O, and AC or DC solid state relays. You can select the Wildcards that meet your needs to configure a cost-effective customized controller for your application.

Fast time to market

For a quick and easy start, to rapidly prototype using the QCard, order a QCard Starter Kit
(Part No. QCSK), which includes a QCard (p/n QCC-RB) with 128K RAM, 512K Flash, and a real time clock; a 4" x2.5" version of the PowerDock (p/n PDW) to provide mechanical and electronic platform for your QCard and for up to eight Wildcards; a 9 pin serial cable, an 8VDC wall-mount power supply and documentation

Block Diagram

block diagram of the QCard, the single board computer for data acquisition and instrument control

Specifications

CPU

  • 16 MHz Motorola MC68HC11F1 microcontroller, 1 MB address space.

Onboard Memory

  • 512K Flash
  • 128K RAM (or optional 512K RAM)
  • 320 bytes of EEPROM
  • Optional battery backup of 128K RAM

Real-Time Clock

  • Optional battery-backed real-time clock

Interrupts

  • 21 interrupts support the 68HC11's on-chip I/O

Communications

  • RS232 or RS485 hardware UART at up to 19.2 Kbaud
  • RS232 software UART at up to 4800 baud
  • Fast synchronous serial peripheral interface (SPI) at up to 2 megabaud

Power

  • 5 VDC at 150 mA

Timer Controlled Input and Output

  • 8 bitwise programmable I/O (2 used for the secondary serial port), including 3 or 4 input captures, 4 or 5 output compares, and a pulse accumulator

8-bit Analog to Digital Conversion

  • 8 input channels, up to 100 kHz sampling rate
  • May be used as digital inputs

Runtime Security

  • A watchdog timer and clock monitor

Connectors

  • 24-pin 0.1" pitch dual row Wildcard bus connector
  • 24-pin 0.1" pitch dual row field bus connector
  • 10-pin 0.1" pitch dual row serial connector
  • 7-pin 2mm pitch single row power connector

I/O Expansion

  • QCard directly hosts 4 Wildcards; with PowerDock, hosts up to 8 Wildcards
  • Wildcards provide additional I/O for:
    • 4 x 20 character display and 5 x 4 keypad
    • 16- or 24-bit resolution A/D
    • 12-bit D/A
    • Isolated AC or DC solid state relays
    • 64 or 128 Mbyte Compact Flash
    • Logic level, high voltage, and high current digital I/O
    • Fully buffered dual RS232, RS422 or RS485 up to 56Kbaud
QCard Controller Digital and Analog I/O Summary
Signal Group # Signals Configurable as Committed Uncommitted Digital I/O
CPU Port A 8 Bitwise I/O 2[2nd Serial Port] 6
CPU Port E 8 Digital or Analog Input 8[8-bit A/D] 0
Totals 16   10 6

Applications

  • Process Control
  • Robotics
  • Instrument Control
  • Laboratory Automation
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Product Upgrades
  • Data Logging
  • Smart Front Ends
  • Temperature Control
  • Solenoid Control
  • Valve Control
  • Signal Processing
  • Communications
Ordering Information
Part Number Product
QCC

QCard Controller

Includes 128K RAM and 512K Flash
 

Options: (add price to the standard product)
-M

512K RAM replaces 128K RAM (cannot be battery-backed)
-RB Real-time clock and battery backup for 128K RAM (does not back up 512K RAM)

-USB

USB2.0 to RS232 adapter and 10 pin dual DB9F QCard communications cable
QCSK

QCard Starter Kit

Includes a QCard (p/n QCC-RB) with 128K RAM, 512K Flash, and a real time clock; a 4" x2.5" version of the PowerDock (p/n PDW) to provide mechanical and electronic platform for your QCard and for up to eight Wildcards; a 9 pin serial cable, an 8VDC wall-mount power supply and documentation (Limit of 1 Starter Kit per Customer at this low price).

QCSK-USB

QCard Starter Kit with a USB adapter

Includes a QCard (p/n QCC-RB-USB) with 128K RAM, 512K Flash, and a real time clock; a 4" x2.5" version of the PowerDock (p/n PDW), a 9 pin serial cable, a USB2.0 to RS232 adapter and a 10 pin dual DB9 communications cable, an 8VDC wall-mount power supply and documentation.

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