The µCore carrier board provides a quick start platform for µCore development. It includes 5V regulator, uConnect & RS232 buffer, µPod programming interface, 8K serial EEPROM and convinient access to all µCore I/O lines. The µCore simply plugs into the socket on the carrier board to give a complete stand alone embedded controller.
The µCore carrier board requires a 9V to 14V DC PSU to operate.
The carrier board provides a choice of power input connectors. In addition to the secure latching Molex KK used on other Pond controller boards, the carrier board can also use a standard 2.1mm barrel connector ( center +) commonly found on desktop PSUs.
We stock mains adaptors for some areas. Please see our Components & Accessories page for availability of a suitable mains adaptor for your area.
The µConnect Bus is a buffered I2C interface with standard RJ45 connector. Low cost UTP patch cables carry both signal and power to remote peripheral modules (up to 16 modules on the bus). Each module can have multiple I2C peripheral chips.The buffer extends the I2C range out to 30m at full speed (100KBits/sec). Remote peripherals can be based on standard I2C ICs or on I2C equipped microcontrollers. Existing uConnect slave modules include a prototype board and the uTerm keypad/display modules.
Unbuffered access to the uConnect clock (P12/uSCL) and data (P11/uSDA) is also available at the I/O header. This allows easy connection of local unbuffered I2C devices to the uConnect bus.
Direct access to all µCore pins is available through the I/O header. Note that some of the µCore lines are also conneted internally on the carrier board.
| µCore Pin Number | Function | Connected on carrier to: |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gnd | Power Ground |
| 2 | Rxd | MAX202 RS232 Buffer |
| 3 | Txd | MAX202 RS232 Buffer |
| 5 | RES | µPod Programming Interface |
| 6 | Pgrm | µPod Programming Interface |
| 30 | uSDA | uConnect buffer and Serial EEPROM |
| 31 | uSCL | uConnect buffer andSerial EEPROM |
| 40 | +5V | Power Supply |
The µCore carrier board provides one fully buffered RS232 serial port. Access to this port is via a 9 pin D-type female connector. This port can operate at baud rates of up to 57600 baud. Note that this port is independent of the serial port used to download programs to the µCore using the µPod. Access to buffered Tx and Rx lines is also available via the three pin header located below the 9 pin socket. If you require a different style of serial interface (such as RS485), remove the MAX202 RS232 buffer located under the µCore socket and connect a suitable buffer off board via the serial pins (RxD and TxD) on the I/O header.
A straight through 9 pin male to female serial cable is required to connect the carrier board with a PC. The same type of cable as used with the µPod to program the µCore.
If you are making up your own cable please note that when viewed from the front, male connectors (such as on the PC) have their pins numbered in a mirror image of the diagram shown to the right.
The µPod port allows in circuit programming of a µCore module using a µPod, PC serial port & uFlashH8 driver. Attach the µPod to the carrier board as shown. Note the orientation of both the µPod and µCore module on the carrier board.
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