8 bits transmissor/receiver

[TJ]

Hello. Over time I've built a lot of electronic projects using the PC's parallel port. For instance, I've built a simple car, running with 2 stepping motors. There's a long cable that goes from the parallel port's 8 TTL outputs and to the car.

Right now it looks like this

8 outputs/inputs from the parallel port
|
| [wires]
|
\/
a 2803 chip on the car
|
|
|
\/
other stuff needed to make the car go



What I would want to do, is simply replace the wires. I'd need a transmissor, and a receiver capable of receiving the 8 outputs and giving the 2803 chip onboard the TTL levels it needs. Of course, I'd also need to power the car with a battery or something, thus replacing the power supply's wires also, but that's beyond the scope of this post.

What would be the simplest way of building this?

 

[pike]

assuming you know how to program microcontrollers, you could use the micro to convert the parrallel data into serial data, from there you can output the serial data to a transmitter module.

At the reciever end, you can convert the serial data back into parallel (using a micro) and use the information from there...

 

[tavib]

:?:
Why don't use serial port from PC?
of course you need a program for serial port.
A laser comunication system is good for short distance and is simple.
For long distance you need a more complex RF system.

 

[TJ]

Well, I'm looking for info on what ICs may be worth checking out, and that kind of stuff. And I'm looking for a RF solution (not infrared).

Isn't microcontrolles a bit overkill? Those cheap made-in china toy cars are apparently able to send 4 bits of data (4 servos) using a couple of ICs.

 

[Russlk]

The microcontroller is not really overkill because to send 8 bits of data in parallel, you need 8 or 9 subcarrier channels in the RF. That means 9 filters or phase lock loops in the receiver versus one micro.