Interfacing Microcontroller To PC

Without any extra devices the only way would be to daisy chain the output of one to the input of the next. You would have to work out a protocol for relaying packets of information through the chain. It could be done. I'm not saying it's a good idea. One failure in the chain disconnects everything behind the failure.

Here at work, we use the ADAM controllers, they accept RS-232 in and Ethernet out, I think there is also a version available from SIXNET

Are they individually addressable? If so, create a 'bus' network. There are many types, such as: Fieldbus, Profibus, etc...

I don't know if you've bought the microcontrollers already, what brand/model they are, but surely it is possible.

If they can be persuaded (using attachments) to behave as RS485 units, you can address up to 255 sources. Uploading to each MC and/or downloading from it then becomes simple.

Hallo

RS 232 is for one to one communication only.

Have RS485 port on each microcontroller. A PC with RS 485 will be master and will be able to communicate with all microcontrollers.

If you need them, they make RS232 - RS485 converters...

We use them to connect approx. 1,280 trak devices(through node boards) to a single linux box.

Have you considered a wireless solution?

Aerocomm makes a nice little RF front end module that is totally programmable. Not too pricey (in quanity) and they work really well. (900Mhz ISM band...No licence...Spread Spectrum Frequncy Hopping)

I just finished a project using the ac4490 module. The thing I liked is the whole front end is in the module so you just attach an antenna and your done. No RF layout or design (Which scares me just a little..hahaha) The Dev kit is a few hundred bucks but you can get it all at mouser! (The documentation is not what it could be. But thier Customer Service is actually pretty good!)

All you need is a aerocomm module and a PIC and your done. I used the P16F873 Its got I2C, RS-232, RS485, SIP etc... So you can do just about anything you want! I had never programed a uController before. I used Mikroe Basic and their EasyPIC4 development board. Whole set up was only a couple hundred bucks...I was up and running in no time! (about two weeks)

Just my two cents.....Cause that is all its worth probly!

Bill12780

thanks to all of your reply, i got good idea.