Aerospace Electronics

Have you considered any of the 'programmable relay' (mini-PLC) type devices (Siemens Logo!, Moeller Easy etc)?

Due to size constraints, I dismissed the idea.

Thanks

It's a bit late to start looking up part numbers etc., but if you're up to a bit of circuit design, I'd suggest a simple PIC + a serial ADC chip + a serial EEPROM (assuming the NVRAM is for data). Don't know what you want for analog inputs, but the TLC540 has 11 8-bit inputs in a 20-pin skinny DIP.

Need to know a bit more to give a suggestion re. the motor drive.

I am familiar with the 18F4550 with the very well made UBW firmware. It has A/D inside.

I strongly recommend http://www.schmalzhaus.com/UBW/

I am quite a noob regarding C programming, close 20 years without practice, but was able to make good using the UBW, even porting it to a different target and have Windoes see my product for real.

The target I used is from Modtronix, it is ready to receive a NVram. The big thing will be to interface with the software.

So it is not too hard to do it using Robot builder electronics, motor drive and all.

The thing is, will it fly?

Now this is between having to certify electronics or using something way too big and powerful.

The rest of the gizmo I need to control will get certified, I just need to make sure I do not miss the easy solution.

Have you considered an FPGA?

I am looking at a PIC for familiarity and embedded analog input, USB etc.

A FPGA may also be an overkill for this application.

The one I use with USB and A/D is the (pardon if there's a typo) PIC18F4550. 40pins but is available in QFN and is quite small. If you'd like to test you can get 3 for free from http://sample.microchip.com

Hi,

motor including controller - some also space qualified - is available from Faulhaber or MAXON or ESCAP.

RHABE

MS Kennedy corp. manufactures brushed and brushless motor controllers for commercial, military and space applications. The also do custome work and may be able to help you with the microcontroller circuit.

http://www.mskennedy.com/

http://www.mskennedy.com/store.asp?pid=9949&catid=19680