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The
µChameleon is a smart USB I/O interface with digital and analog inputs
and outputs. Used under PC control or as an autonomous controller, it brings
the power of programmable computing to your electronics projects. And because
simplicity is the essence of magic, our main focus, when designing the
µChameleon, was ease of use:
* The embedded command interpreter, with its easy-to-remember BASIC-like
syntax, makes complicated API's a thing of the past. You can even start
by typing commands in HyperTerminal !
* Virtual serial port drivers let you see the µChameleon as a regular
serial port, although it's possible to talk directly to the USB stack through
a DLL. All programming languages that can send text strings to a COM port
will work.
* Full-speed USB communications, up to 1 Mbytes/second, will let you control
even the fastest devices, like stepper motors, servo loops, audio generators,
switching supplies...
* Screw terminals let you quickly and easily hook up your external circuits.
* Power supply circuitry will automatically switch from USB power to external
power, providing power to your external circuits in both cases.
* And it's so compact it fits in a pocket.
And
since it's already been used in many projects, we know it will work for
you too !
Who
will benefit from it ?
Whether
you're an engineer, student, or serious hobbyist, you'll be amazed by the
variety of real-world applications you'll be able to tackle successfully
with your µChameleon: monitor sensors and switches, control motors
and relays, implement servo loops, log data, control physics and chemistry
experiments, and more...
Teachers
will like the fact that real applications can be built in front of the
class even in the limited amount of time that's generally available.
OEM's
will be able to prototype and prepare convincing demos for their prospects
in a very short time.
Of
course, our support staff is always ready to answer your questions, and
will help you find the simplest path to success.
Features
USB CDC
Class
The USB
CDC Class (Communication Device Class) protocol the µChameleon 2
uses means that it will look like a regular serial port on your PC or Mac,
visible in the 'COM & LPT ports' of your computer. Most systems have
native drivers that support this protocol, and older Windows versions will
only need a .inf text file so it knows how to use its own drivers with
the µChameleon 2.
-
Windows
Windows 7/Vista/XP/Server 2003/2000/98/Me/CE.
-
Linux
-
MacOS
X
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8 Analog
inputs with 12 bits ADC
The 8
analog inputs have 12 bits ADC resolution, and will let you measure a voltage
in the 0-5Volts range. Use them to measure the position of potentiometers,
light levels, temperatures, pressures... Sampling rates up to 200kHz are
possible.
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Command
interpreter
Because
versatility is nothing without ease of use, the embedded command interpreter
lets you send simple human-readable commands. No more complex API's to
learn, with their incredible list of mandatory parameters. Every programming
language that can send text strings to a serial port will know how to talk
to the µChameleon. You can even start by typing commands in the DOS
shell, or in a software like HyperTerminal !
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PC-controlled
or autonomous operation
User-defined
procedures, consisting of a series of instructions, are used as event handlers.
Invoked at power-up, or on a periodic basis, they enable autonomous applications
to run without permanent connection to a PC.
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Upgradable
firmware
Thanks
to their flash memory and Firmware
Upgrader software, all µChameleons can be upgraded to the latest
firmware found in newly shipped versions. And our hardware protected boot
means you can never end up with a locked device. If your PC fails during
a µChameleon firmware upgrade, simply try again !
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Flexible
powering schemes
-
powers
from USB
-
powers
from external transformer (internaly regulated)
-
powers
from external +5 Volts
-
automatically
switches from USB to external supply (and back)
-
provides
power to external circuits
-
overcurrent
and overtemperature fault protection
-
external
transfomer polarity protection
The µChameleon
powers itself from USB by default. It is also possible to power it from
an external wall-mount transformer, thanks to its internal linear regulator.
In both cases, the supply voltage is brought out to a screw terminal, and
lets you power your external circuits easily. If you already have a regulated
voltage available, you can also use it to power the unit. And the power
circuirty inside the µChameleon will automatically switch between
its power sources without any mechanical intervention: if an external voltage
is present, it is given priority, and when it is removed, the unit falls
back to USB power, all this with over-current and over-temperature protection.
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Full-speed
USB communications
The full-speed
(12Mbits per second) USB interface will allow you to address the most demanding
applications in terms of throughput. And it also means less demanding applications
will have low latencies and respond quickly.
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18 General
purpose I/O's
All 18
I/O's can be used to input or output logic-level signals, the direction
is of course independently programmable for each I/O pin. Additionally,
all I/O's have a programmable pull-up feature, that can be activated on
a per-pin basis. While the I/O's can be accessed one at a time, it's also
possible to access a group of 8 as a byte with a single command. This makes
interfacing byte-oriented devices simpler and faster.
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4 Analog
outputs
The analog
outputs will produce variable voltage levels in the 0-5Volts range. Use
them to control analog circuits, generate waveforms... These outputs are
of the PWM type, and this means you can get very high resolutions (up to
16 bits), or choose an accuracy versus update balance by varying both the
frequency and duty cycle independently. You can use them without an external
RC filter in order to drive power transistors in switch mode, to vary the
power applied to loads such as motors, lamps, heaters, or with an external
filter if you intend to use them as control voltages for analog circuitry.
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4 Timer
channels
The timer
channels provide up to four programmable PWM channels or clock outputs,
with a 42 nanoseconds resolution. You can alter the frequency in a very
wide range (2Hz to 12Mhz), change the duty cycle, and polarity. Use them
to drive power loads (with external power transistors) or analog circuits
(with external RC filters). You can also use the timers as clock sources
for external digital logic.
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Screw
terminals
All I/O's,
as well as power and grounds are easily connected to your external circuits
thanks to screw terminals. Insert your wire, lock it using any standard
screwdriver, and you're ready to interact with your circuit !
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Very compact
size
It fits
in a pocket ! Take it from your job to your home easily (but don't forget
to bring it back the next day). Or maybe the other way around... Take it
to a friend's place and have fun ! Hide it in a bigger enclosure with complementary
electronics to quickly build professional-looking prototypes.
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Software
Download:
For
more details on this product and its programming, take a look at our users's
manual
Photos
Downloads
Support
Support:
If
you need additional support on the above product, and you can't find the
information you need in the documentation, then please contact support
at the address below:
support
at starting-point-systems.com
This
product is from: Starting
Point Systems
Christophe
Mariac
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Shipped From
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Starting Point Systems, France
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Free
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GST Free
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Manufacturer
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Starting Point Systems
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| Price: |
AUD$202.17 (USD$ 213.69) (€uro 160.00)
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NOTE *** Australian Residents: If Applicable, 10% GST is added to the price, after you have logged in.
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