IT Technology exercise (PICNIC) : OVERVIEW

PICNIC

OVERVIEW

■Outline

1. PIC microcomputer + The regulating system which made the network I/F card the core

2. Home Security Controller

3. Optional Peripheral Expansion Kit for PICNIC

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Updated April 29, 2005 21:54

●PIC microcomputer + The regulating system which made the network I/F card the core

In this section, we are going to make a home security system using the PICNIC (PIC Network Interface Card Ver. 2: TriState Company). The name "PICNIC" comes from the initials of "PIC Network Interface Card", which is an I/O board to connect to the Ethernet network using the PIC microcomputer chip, Microchip PIC16F877. (see pic. 1)

[Photograph 1] PIC microcomputer board PICNIC ver.2

●Home Security Controller

The Home Security Controller is a controller card that is generally considered to have the following features.

1. It can control the power of a device via a network.
2. It can monitor the open-close status of a door, or it can monitor the temperature of a room.
3. It can send and store the open-close status of a door to a server which can be watched from a remote terminal.

So, to control the power of a device via network, we need a device which can directly control the power of connected devices. And to monitor the status of a door, we need a display panel to show the open-close status of the door. Moreover, we need an internet connection (like ADSL or cable) to send status data to the server, and the server should have web-server features to view the stored status data from remote terminals.

[Figure 1] Concept chart

●Optional Peripheral Expansion Kit for PICNIC

To control the sensor and external devices, we have to connect to the I/O port of PICNIC. Here, we are going to build an Optional Peripheral Expansion Kit for PICNIC. Two channels of input/output connection points through Photo isolator IC and two channels of analog input are placed on the connector socket of the Expansion Kit. Since the digital output is connected through the mechanical relay,it does not depend on the type of connected device. For low power devices, it is possible to control 20 Watts of AC 100v (but not suitable for induction load). An original through-hole glass epoxy circuit board is prepared for this expansion kit. (See picture 2) The free space on the circuit board shown in the picture 2 is a universal area for further experimental expansion circuits. The power to drive the relay will be sent through the power cable of the PICNIC-CN3 connector.

[Photograph 1] Optional Peripheral Expansion Kit for PICNIC