I/O device expands processor-based systems

Rabbit Semiconductors RIO device features eight independent channels each with four ports that can be configured to several different modes.

Now available from 2001 Electronics is a versatile eight-channel programmable I/O chip compatible with any processor with an available clocked serial port.

Rabbit Semiconductors RIO device features eight independent channels each with four ports that can be configured to several different modes, including bidirectional I/O, PWM or PPM outputs, triac signal generators, event counters, quadrature encoders and input capture.

This simple addon chip can be used to add up to 38 I/O lines to an existing design; and is perfect to add functionality without the complexity and cost of a processor change.

In addition, multiple chips can be used together to develop mega I/O applications The RIO can be controlled through either a parallel interface, SPI or the RabbitNet protocol.

No programming is necessary to use the RIO.

Configuration is accomplished by simply writing data to configuration registers at startup.

The main clock operates up to 40MHz can be used directly by each channel, or prescaled down if desired.

The part is powered by 3.3V, and the I/O is 5V-tolerant.

The Rio is also supported by an optional programmable I/O kit intended to demonstrate how to expand an embedded system design by adding additional I/O and other features.

The kit provides a prototyping board with a Rabbit RIO already installed and configurable header locations to allow users to develop their own applications.

Dynamic C libraries and sample programs are available to quickly integrate the RIO into Rabbit systems.

The RIO is available in a 64-pin TQFP, making its small footprint ideal for embedded applications.

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