contact closure interface for delphi

Matt Hardiman

unread,

Jan 25, 2006, 5:52:23 AM1/25/06

to

Hi,

I've got a fair few applications that need to talk to hardware devices via
contact closures (mostly input to the software but sometimes outputs to
control equipment). My area is audio and video software talking audio /
video routers, mixing desks and broadcast control systems.

Up until now, we've used some bodges using serial ports and keyboard
encoders but I'm keen to get a proper solution. Does anyone know of an
interface which

* is Delphi friendly
* provides at least 8 contact closure inputs and 8 switched outputs per
unit - low voltage no heavy stuff needed
* ideally is connected via USB or serial as PCI slots are often at a premium
when we run the software in apparatus rooms on 1U HP servers.
* is from a manufacturer which will not go away - there's some good ones
from very small companies which I'm keen to avoid to futureproof my
applications - for instance the
http://www.alcatech.com/html/rebuild.php?src=fcu_8/index_fcu8_en.html looks
good but I'm not sure about the roadmap for the product or the company. [no
slight intended to alcatech at all]

In an ideal world, I suppose I should be able to use a PIC and write on
myself but I'm not that clever!

As I say, any suggestions gratefully received.

thanks

matt

http://www.matti.co.uk

John Herbster

unread,

Jan 25, 2006, 10:10:46 AM1/25/06

to

> ... provides at least 8 contact closure inputs and 8 switched

> outputs per unit - low voltage no heavy stuff needed

> ideally is connected via USB or serial as PCI slots
> are often at a premium

Have you looked here?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=USB+digital-input-output
--JohnH

Eric Hill

unread,

Jan 25, 2006, 10:11:40 AM1/25/06

to

Have a look at the Terminator I/O series from Automationdirect.

http://web1.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Field_I-z-O

> * provides at least 8 contact closure inputs and 8 switched outputs per
> unit - low voltage no heavy stuff needed

Pick a half-size or full-size base and appropriate input and output
modules. Mix and match as needed.

> * ideally is connected via USB or serial as PCI slots are often at a
> premium
> when we run the software in apparatus rooms on 1U HP servers.

Pick the stock MODBUS slave (for serial connectivity) or ethernet slave
(for network connectivity).

> * is from a manufacturer which will not go away - there's some good ones
> from very small companies which I'm keen to avoid to futureproof my
> applications - for instance the
> http://www.alcatech.com/html/rebuild.php?src=fcu_8/index_fcu8_en.html
> looks
> good but I'm not sure about the roadmap for the product or the company.
> [no
> slight intended to alcatech at all]

I've been using Automationdirect stuff for nearly a decade, and their tech
support is top-notch. They show no signs of going away (they have 5 year
and 10 year guarantees on some of their stuff).

> In an ideal world, I suppose I should be able to use a PIC and write on
> myself but I'm not that clever!

Eeeew :)

> As I say, any suggestions gratefully received.

Have a look at the manual and decide for yourself.

http://web1.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/t1kinstm/t1kinstm.html

Eric

Matt Hardiman

unread,

Jan 26, 2006, 4:18:51 AM1/26/06

to

excellent many thanks both,

I had googled but I was keen to get feedback from people who had used them
in anger!

Thanks again

m

"Eric Hill" <er...@ijack.net> wrote in message
news:op.s3xwh...@wcerich-6223.pioneer.world...