My advice is to avoid LonWorks.  If you want a serial bus, I think that
RS485/422 is very easy to implement.  It is no more difficult than
RS232.  If you decide to use 485, email me and I will tell you all.  I
have done all the firmware and all the hardware for a RS485 bus type
network.  Really simple.  Email me directly since I am going to drop
this mail list.


Troy Powledge wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
> Let me start out by saying that this PIC list is great in whatever format it
 takes.
> My question has to do with LonWorks networks.
> First let me describe my opportunity. I have designed a timer (based on a
 Basic Stamp and a PIC16C84)  that uses two photoeyes, a solenoid, a light and
 possibly other things too. All of these devices have to be located about 150 to
 1000 feet from my console. The system is portable so I did not want a lot of
 wires going from the console out to the devices.
> In my day job, I see a lot of FieldBus, DeviceNet, SDS and things like that.
 This got me to thinking that I would be smarter to put all of my devices on a
 bus for 2 reasons: 1 I would not have as many wires to run to the devices and 2
 I could expand the number of devices out in the field and not have to change my
 cabling. Most of the field devices are simple off/on but some have, like a
 large digit display, will have to receive numbers from the console and display
 them on 12" tall characters. My
>
> 1. What is the simplest bus to implement? By this I mean, what chips are out
 there to implement this bus and how difficult is the programming?
>
> 2. Does anyone have any experiences with creating devices that sit on a serial
 bus?
>
> Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
>
> ~*~*~*~*~*~*
> Troy Powledge
> TCo. Systems
> tpow@eramp.net
> *~*~*~*~*~*~
> Two rules to live by. #1 Don't sweat the little stuff. #2 Its all little
 stuff.