Overall :-

a) Put those cables in as soon as you can (and as many as you can).
b)Before the wall linings are on photograph all the framing so you record
exactly where all the cables (including power) and pipes are located. This
is about the best thing I did when we were building - it has saved so much
time & effort since.
c) Adding a bit of Coax cable to the mix as well as twisted pair may be
worthwhile also - you may want to add TV connections etc around at a later
date.

If you do  decide to go the way of RS485, you can get  "slew rate limited"
driver chip which reduce the requirements (= hassles !) as far as
terminations and star connectios are concerned.

Richard P




Hi Dale!

I didn't ever think about using IP over serial, but it's a nice idea,
but like you said it kills any easy interface with other systems.
I guess it's better to use something like CAN instead.

I did take a brief look at the Microchip's app note a few weeks ago and
now taking a look at the siteplayer site I start wondering what kind of
hardware I really need to use Ethernet with a PIC? A chip, eg. Realtek
8019? and some kind of filter? and of course a RJ-45 port..
Do I have things somehow clear or am I completely wrong? :)

/Andreas

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