PC Interfacing

PC Interfacing

by Pei An
Released January 1998
Publisher(s): Newnes
ISBN: 9780080513645

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Book description

The main links with your PC and the outside world are the centronic port, used for connecting the printer, the RS232 port, used for the mouse, and the games port for a joystick. This book explores how these input/output (I/O) ports can be put to use through a range of other interfacing applications. This is especially useful for laptop and palmtop PCs which cannot be fitted with internal I/O cards. A novel approach is taken by this book, combining the hardware through which the ports can be explored, and the software programming needed to carry out a range of experiments.Circuits are provided for simple testing tools, and three experimental boards - which can also be purchased ready-made.A huge range of applications are considered, turning the PC into a flexible core of a variety of systems. External devices considered include opto-isolator drivers, power drivers, LED drivers, relay drivers, special driver ICs, and methods of driving opto-isolated zero-crossing solid state relays, stepper motors, sound generating devices and displays. Ways of gathering information from the outside world are given, as well as connection to digital devices, remote control and digital communication. As well as teaching in this field, Pei An has written numerous articles for magazines such as Electronics World and Electronics Today International.
  • A hands-on guide to exploring your PC's input/output ports
  • Covers the hardware and software aspects of interfacing
  • An exciting project-based approach to an important subject area

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Dedication
  5. Copyright
  6. Preface
  7. Acknowledgements
  8. Trade mark notice
  9. Chapter 1: Centronic, RS232 and game ports
    1. 1.1 The Centronic port
    2. 1.2 RS232 serial interface
    3. 1.3 Game ports
  10. Chapter 2: Tools for experimenters
    1. 2.1 Power supplies
    2. 2.2 Logic level detectors
    3. 2.3 Digital and analogue signal generators
    4. 2.4 Centronic port, RS232 and game port experimental boards
    5. 2.5 Circuit making tools
  11. Chapter 3: Software drivers for the experimental boards
    1. 3.1 Software drivers for the Centronic experimental board
    2. 3.2 Software drivers for the RS232 experimental board
    3. 3.3 Software drivers for the game port experimental board
    4. 3.4 Programming resource libraries
  12. Chapter 4: Expanding the Centronic, RS232 and game ports
    1. 4.1 Expanding the Centronic port
    2. 4.2 Expanding the RS232 port
    3. 4.3 Expanding the game port
    4. 4.4 Serial-to-parallel interface
    5. 4.5 Parallel-to-serial interface
    6. 4.6 Data encoders/decoders
    7. 4.7 I2C bus
    8. 4.8 Serial peripheral interface (SPI)
    9. 4.9 MicroLAN bus
    10. 4.10 Interfacing between TTL and CMOS gates
    11. 4.11 Protecting digital I/O lines
  13. Chapter 5: Drivers for external devices
    1. 5.1 Power drivers
    2. 5.2 LED drivers
    3. 5.3 Relay drivers
    4. 5.4 Integrated power driver ICs
    5. 5.5 Opto-isolated zero-crossing solid state relays
    6. 5.6 DC motor drivers
    7. 5.7 Stepper motor drivers
    8. 5.8 Driving sounders
    9. 5.9 Drivers for displays
    10. 5.10 Drivers for muscle wires
    11. 5.11 Drivers for other devices
  14. Chapter 6: Gathering information from the external world
    1. 6.1 Analogue-to-digital converters
    2. 6.3 Digital sensors for measuring light intensity
    3. 6.4 Digital sensors measuring temperatures
    4. 6.5 Digital humidity sensors
    5. 6.6 Digital sensors for fluid flow
    6. 6.7 Digital sensors measuring magnetic field
    7. 6.8 Radio time bases
    8. 6.9 Keys and keyboards
  15. Chapter 7: Connecting other digital devices
    1. 7.1 Digital-to-analogue converters
    2. 7.2 Digital potentiometers
    3. 7.3 Memories
    4. 7.4 Real time clocks
    5. 7.5 Digitally-controlled signal generators
  16. Chapter 8: Computer remote control and network applications
    1. 8.1 Telecommunication ICs
    2. 8.2 Modem IC
    3. 8.3 Radio links
    4. 8.4 Radio transceiver modules
    5. 8.5 Mains line modem LM1893
    6. 8.6 RS485 interface
    7. 8.7 The infra-red data link – IrDA standard
  17. Further reading
  18. Index

Product information

  • Title: PC Interfacing
  • Author(s): Pei An
  • Release date: January 1998
  • Publisher(s): Newnes
  • ISBN: 9780080513645