there's always something new
I've got some more nodes planned for my network, here's a look at the things I'm thinking about adding.
- PC bridge
- The PC bridge node will maintain a serial connection with a locally connected PC and send data received from the SerialPower network up to the PC and relay data from the PC out onto the SerialPower network. I expect that the PC bridge node will be part of the network control station.
- Ethernet bridge
- Once I get a WIZnet 810MJ module up and running (see The WIZnet project for more information) I can use the circuit and software from that to connect the SerialPower network to the rest of the world via TCP/IP and/or UDP. The Ethernet bridge node will also be part of the network control station.
- Servo controller
- The servo controller will drive a 2-degree-of-freedom platform for pointing sensors, cameras, or lights. Commands to drive the servos will come from the network.
- Thermostat
- This is mostly a theoretical node that I envision as a controller for the heater in the den. It would receive information from the environmental sensor and network clock to determine the temperature in the room and the appropriate times to turn the heater on and off. The heater runs on 2-pole 110-volt power, so switching it is a pretty big deal. This node might just be blinkin' lights for now.
- Aquarium monitor and control
- With the addition of an aquarium to the den I have the opportunity to create a monitor and control node for the aquarium. It will monitor the water temperature and switch the heater on and off, receive date and time information from the network clock to determine if the lights should be on or off, and monitor the water level and sound an alarm if the water level goes to low. Since the node is again switch 110-volt power, care needs to be taken in the construction and use of the node.
- Network control station
- A couple of times above I mentioned the network control station. This is a console that contains the network master node, the display and control node, the Ethernet bridge and the PC bridge nodes. It will be housed in an old Radio Shack console box that I bought 10 or 12 years ago and kept around for just a project like this. Features of the network control station:
- LCD display and keypad from the display and control node.
- Master node and indicator LEDs.
- Ethernet bridge and indicator LEDs.
- PC bridge and indicator LEDs.
- Connectors for power, SerialPower network connection, Ethernet and serial ports.
- The serial connection is switchable from the serial connection to a programming connection. The programming connection can be routed to the processor of any of the nodes resident in the network control station. Indicator LEDs show serial/programming mode, which of the processors is receiving the programming data, and a serial data indicator that flashes when data is moving over the serial link.
- Master reset switch that resets the WIZ810MJ module and the Picaxe 18X chips, and power cycles the Picaxe 08M chips that make up the resident nodes.