On 16 Dec 2003 at 7:30, Olin Lathrop wrote:

> Mike wrote:
> > I'm sure your app was more involved that this little deal I'm doing,
> > but you've piqued my interest. What chip/line did you find that did
> > work and for what, basically?
>
> There is no nicely integrated solution I'm aware of.  You can get bare RF
> transmitter and receiver chips, then hook them up to whatever
> microcontroller you need.  Melexis is one RF chip manufacturer that springs
> to mind, but I know there are others.

The one I've considered up to this point is a super simple data radio most of which
are 8 pin SOICs. I've checked Melexis, Atmel, and maybe one other. Someone
suggested Linear Corp and I'll check that. Thanks Andrew!
>
> > What would be good for what is
> > basically a garage door opener without a motor driver and
> > all? I've found a few (mostly major overkill) but who knows what I
> > missed.
>
> Note I said the rfPIC is *nearly* useless, not totally useless.  It probably
> is suitable for very simple applications like a no-frills garage door
> opener.  It just hasn't fit the requirements I've had so far.

I understand.
>
> So far I've been dissappointed in the lack of integration and wimpy
> processor.  I sortof remember there is an RF band limitation too, but I
> don't remember for sure.  It's been a while since I last looked at the
> rfPIC.

They cover a range that deals with unlicensed 350-450 MHz and that 8xx - 9xx band.
The rfPICs handle a higher data rate than my chip, but I don't need that, either. Yet.

>
> > And if Olin doesn't want your job, let me know. Make sure you mention
> > his name.
>
> Huh?  I really have no idea what this is in reference to.

That was kind of a joke. If the customer didn't want to pay a pile of greenbacks and
you couldn't help him/her. I have a few designs that can be modified and won't
require a bunch of development time.

The reason I want them to mention your name is to give me the heads up that you
didn't want the job. It might be so fubar'd that I wouldn't take it either. I'm currently
working a prospect that didn't mention how his black box would be powered. We
settled on "battery" -- no mention of what kind of battery -- and a hampster (one of
my suggestions) for backup. But he wan't to feed the hampster Red Bull so I
suggested a 'possum. Pulling information out of him has been tedious.
>
> Things have picked up dramatically since early October, but we aren't
> turning away jobs yet (unless we feel we can't be effective given the
> circumstances, but that has nothing to do with the economy).
>
> This recession has been strange.  It was like we hit a brick wall in June
> 2002.  Things stayed nearly dead until it picked up again just as suddenly
> in October 2003.  We suddenly had the problem of not being able to find the
> right people fast enough, and having to get PCs, desks, chairs, upgrade our
> LAN, etc.  We're still looking for a good EE.

I'll give you a call. I saw the post. I had other plans, but maybe we can figure
something out.

Mike
>
>
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