Wow! You-d-man!
I am starting to try and bring myself up to speed on reading the parallel port. (I've never had to learn how before)
Also, I am experimenting with switches to see what would work the best.
:?: Question: have you ever used any static I/O data aquizition boards? I was lookinto those a bit and this might be another alternative to the parellel port. Only advantage that I can see is that it would already have the API interface for reading the port. If I am understanding how they work, it seems that it would interface with what you have designed quite nicely.
the thing is that you need to encode 50 lines into 5 bits(i presumme that only one of the lines can be active high)
you can do this with diodes. or use a specialy designed encoder, but the only one i know coverst from 15 inputs to 4 bits, dont know anything about 20->5.
maybe someone knows
there r only 20 + 3 lines to be encoded seperately.
how can this b done with diodes.
what is the ic number of that 16 X 4 encoder u mentioned.
lets try a hand at cascading two of them.
hi charlie,
i havnt worked with any data acquisition board before.
i never needed them. the common ports work fine for me.
also they wont realy b at advantage as u said cos the normal ports
do have APIs which r much better designed by better companies and have been tested over the ages. also buying new aquisition board is
just like throwing in more money :roll: .
also as far as i know parallel port can input only 5 bits. it can OUTPUT 8 bits. thats bad but i guess we will b able to modify this circuit to produce
4 bits at a time.