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MODULAR INSTRUMENTATION DESIGN

Part 1ýDefining the Project
by Bob Perrin

Start • The Problem ý The Solution ý Mechanical Interface ý Man Machine Interface ý Electrical Interface ý API ý In Closing ý Sources and PDF

IN CLOSING

There is a niche market of instrumentation companies that is not currently well served by embedded controller companies. The features that are needed for a successful controller in this arena are:

• small size, low power
• developer must be able to tailor the I/O exactly to meet his needs
• system should have a packaging system worked out
• system should have a comprehensive, yet simple API
• I/O must be instrumentation quality
• system cost should be low, but this is not the overriding factor

Instrumentation companies can usually afford to purchase in quantities of a 100 or more. This allows us to use modern manufacturing techniques and modular CAD/CAM tools to implement the customerýs I/O requirements at the PCB level. For prototyping, a controller with expensive 1.0-mm connectors can be used by the developer to tinker with I/O mixes until the project is firm.

As the months roll into 2000, Iýll be working more on this and other projects. Stay tuned.

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