Internet Access for Embedded Projects
Whilst learning the PIC 16F series of microprocessor from Microchip, ideas for useful and interesting projects often revolve around connection to a PC.
There are various projects that use pure software to handle the usere interface over a network link, serving a small web page, and using a 'host' system to route the serial link to a larger network. There are also projects that interface a 'Network Chip' or even a PC Network Interface Card to the microprocessor.
The problem (for me) with this, is that huge amounts of code are required the get a small chip like the PIC16F628 or PIC16F876 to understand TCP/IP, and in the case of a intefacing a network card or chipset, too many i/o port pins are required.
It looked as if any cheap PIC project that required a network interface would need to be centered around the larger PIC16F877 40 pin chips with their extra I/O ports and program memory.
Then I read the articles on turning a cheap router into a data logger and web server.
These projects re-program the router with a custom linux operating system and enable the router to a) serve web pages from a usb hard drive, and b) communicate with an embedded processor collecting data, making it available using its internal web server.
As the router - the Sweex LB000021 is available here in the uk (delivered) for £20.00, and I have always enjoyed using Linux where possible, I got one just to play with the Linux side of things.
A PIC, Linux and a Router
Modding The Router
Modding The Router - USB/Hard Drives
Modding The Router - Software & Filesystem
New Sunspot/Midge Packages
Extra Packages for Midge/Sunspot
PIC Links