Abstract

  ' Real Time Multislave Interactive Interface ' deals with the study 
and implementation of a realtime input+out put interface between the 
80C552 microcontroller, the Personal Computer and related periphery. 
Getting multiple imputs along with controlling multiple devices such as
acutators typically requires one or more embedded systems. These systems
are usually programmed in assembly and require non-standard hardware.
This leads to slower system updates and flexibility, coupled with harder
debugging and coding requirements.  Our project uses a PC as the controller
with one microcontroller, 80C552 to control four stepper motor controls
with feedback inputs and multi input interfaces such as mice and joysticks.

  The PCs parellel port is used to interface the microcontroller.
The microcontroller takes inputs from the mice and joystick and sends the 
given data to the PC. The control alogrithm is implemented in Visual Basic, 
with hardware i/o functions in Visual C++.  This makes the system much more 
flexible and reduces programming and testing time.

  The stepper motors are also controlled via the parallel ort.  Each
motor has a home position feedback that can be read.  Since no specific
configuration is required, this approach can be used for small to
mid-range systems that require a fast startup time.