At 09:07 AM 8/30/2001 -0400, you wrote:
My first thought would not be to use a processor at all.  I would run
the 50 inputs to 50 open collector buffers pulling down a resistor
network.  Something like a R2R network but it might be simpler as you
don't have to distinguish when multiple lines are low together.  Finally
use an op amp to buffer and filter the output.

Sherpa Doug

Since the lines are fired in a fixed sequence one at a time, it might be easier to just put open collector buffers on the odd numbered inputs and tie all outputs together. This will give a single input that tells whether the line number is even or odd and the processor can count up or down every time the even/odd line changes. Line 1 and 2 could be tied  to additional inputs in order to allow the processor to lock onto the line number and determine whether to count up or down. The processor would not be able to determine the line number and direction until the line number reaches line 1 or 2, but this may be acceptable if this is a case where the processor can be programmed to not do anything until after a lock has occurred.

Bob Buege

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