Construction And Application Of A Computer Based Interface Card

Abstract

Automated control of manufacturing systems and research tasks are becoming more demanding in today’s competitive market. Computer interface and control applications are common practice not exceptions in the workplace. The knowledge of how to manage processes with computer control can be developed by working with basic tools of microprocessor interfacing. An interface card placed in a microcomputer can provide practitioners with the skills they need to be competitive. The Intel 82C55A programmable peripheral interface IC can be used to interface external hardware with a microcomputer. The interface card being built and used at Morehead State University is based on the Intel 82C55A programmable peripheral I/O device. With minimal support circuitry the 82C55A can be interfaced with a microcomputer. The 82C55A contains three 8-bit ports providing 24 lines of digital I/O. Several circuits can be connected to the 82C55A making it more versatile. Counter/timers, analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, sensors, and several other circuits can be connected to the interface card. The card is used to control and monitor different processes through hardware and software interfaces. Software used to program the interface card includes BASIC, Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Labview. The software interfaces include simple to complex routines depending on the application. Construction and application of the Intel 82C55A interface card help provide an individual with the knowledge and skills of computer based control applications.