SBC gains dedicated operator interface board

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 26, 2004

Mosaic Industries has released a new operator interface for its tiny single board computer the QCard.

Mosaic Industries has released a new operator interface for its tiny single board computer the QCard.

The Keypad/Display Wildcard provides a convenient interface to a 4 x 20 character display and 4 x 5 keypad.

Combined with Mosaic's QCard Controller, it is an ideal solution for handheld or space-constrained applications that require a programmable embedded computer and a low cost yet smart user interface.

Measuring only 2 x 2.5in, the Keypad/Display Wildcard mounts directly on the QCard.

The Keypad/Display Wildcard is shipped with a 4 x 20 character display and 4 x 5 keypad, plus a simple ribbon cable interface that enables custom placement of the keypad and display in an instrument.

The Wildcard has an additional field header that brings out four nibble-wise programmable input/output lines and four input lines.

The QCard controller animates the keypad/display interface.

Smaller than a credit card, the QCard sports a 16MHz Motorola 68HC11F1 microprocessor, 512Kbyte Flash and 128Kbyte RAM, 512byte of EEPROM, eight lines of programmable digital I/O, 8bit analogue-to-digital conversion, and dual RS232/485 ports.

The QCard is easily programmed in C, Forth, or assembly using any PC.

Precoded device drivers make it easy to scan the keypad and write text to the display.

When combined with the QCard controller, the Keypad/Display Wildcard makes it easy to design interactive instruments with intuitive user interfaces.

The Keypad/Display Wildcard is priced at $175 for a single unit including the display and keypad.

Considerable OEM discounts are available.