On 06/06/2015 11:07 AM, Gregg Eshelman wrote: > On 6/6/2015 6:46 AM, Alexander Rössler wrote: > >> However, I agree that connectors are a big problem in general when it >> comes to computers. Only few capes address this problem an come with pin >> headers to connect sensors/motors. However, that is one problem we tried >> to address with the SandyBox and the different controller boxes >> (Lin-Ctrl stepper driver, Print-Ctrl for the 3D printer) . They come >> with standard Molex connectors to connect sensors, switches an motors. >> >> We are planning a future version of the SandyBox to address this >> problem. So if you have ideas please share them. > > A Beagle Bone cape that breaks out everything to some currently > available card edge connector so that peripherals can also use the same > edge to plug into a backplane?
Somebody understands what I'm talking about. "capes" with edge connectors plugged into backplane. One component less to mount and solder. A bus with DIMM connectors for example, would provide sufficient number of pins for all needed lines, could be built with 90deg. or slanted connectors for low profile applications, have mechanical lock for PCBs, all at low cost. Extenders would help solve development or troubleshooting issues with such interfaces just like they do on other buses. Now if the Beaglebone board had an edge connector to be plugged into a standard backplane, perhaps Mesa and some other manufacturers could build special interfaces for CNC and we could easily use such SBCs to control bigger machines not just toys. With appropriate backplane you could connect more than 2 interfaces to it at the same time which is not possible now with most capes or shields with Arduino or BBB. Try to sandwich together ethernet or Xbee shield and motorshield on ArduinoMega for example. Won't fit. If another SBC with different processor from a different manufacturer would be more suitable, you could simply swap SBC but keep the backplane and interfaces. Of course, it would be also possible to make active backplanes with microcontroller and some peripherals or ports built in. > XMos has done something like that with PCIe x1 connectors for their > "slice card" peripherals which are NOT PCIe devices. enough of this dream about low cost, flexible, and compatible SBCs and interfaces. -- Rafael ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
