Nuts and Volts - August 2008

■ HARDWARE ■ SOFTWARE ■ GADGETS ■ TOOLS

sensor measures temperature on a single channel, while the DLP-UTH8 is a data-collection hub with eight channels that can be connected to temperature only or temperature and humidity modules via standard Intranet cables. The sensors can be located up to 250 feet away from the UTH8 hub and are purchased separately.

Designed to work with the above hub and sensors, the new DLP Design Data Center monitors data continuously and allows for remote access and alerts. Service routine software that communicates with the DLP-UT1 and DLP-UTH8 continuously sends temperature/humidity readings to a secure server. For privacy, customers log in to the Data Center with an ID and password. They can then remotely monitor, set, or change temperature alert points, specify email addresses for alert mail recipients, view data from the previous 24 hours in either chart or graph format, or download data from the previous 30 days. Customers may try the DLP Design Data Center for the first month at no charge. The Data Center service may then be purchased for $35/six months or $60/year through www.dlpdc.com via credit card.

“For this level of performance, what sets us apart from our competitors is our pricing,” comments Don Powrie, President of DLP Design, Inc. “Our products are the best choice when you’re trying to watch your bottom line but need to know that your equipment is protected.” Datasheets are available upon request.

The Propeller Proto Board USB has all the features of the Propeller Proto Board but utilizes the USB programming interface on the board for those projects which need the USB interface in the application. The Proto Board provides a low cost prototyping platform for projects or industrial applications. The new Propeller Proto Board USB houses the incredible P8X32A-Q44 Propeller chip. The Propeller chip makes it easy to rapidly develop embedded applications. Its eight processors (cogs) can operate simultaneously — either independently or cooperatively — sharing common resources through a central hub. The developer has full control over how and when each cog is employed; there is no compiler-driven or operating system-driven splitting of tasks among multiple cogs. A shared system clock

keeps each cog on the same time reference, allowing for true deterministic timing and synchronization. Two programming languages are available: the easy-to-learn high-level Spin; and Propeller Assembly which can execute at up to 160 MIPS ( 20 MIPS per cog).