PNI Legacy Comm Board - Manual

R07 Revised: August 2008
PNI Sensor Corporation 133 Aviation Blvd., suite 101, Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1084 USA
Phone: (707) 566-2260, Fax: (707) 566-2261, Web:
www.pnicorp.com Page 1 of 42
PNI CommBoard (RS-232, RS-485)
General Description
The CommBoard is a communication interface
designed to connect the MicroMag and V2Xe
modules to a host system that uses a standard
serial interface, such as a PC. It is typically used
as a prototyping and evaluation tool for PNI’s
line of compass and magnetometer modules. The
PNI CommBoard is also used for production
when the host system requires a higher level
serial protocol to interface to the PNI sensor
modules. The first version of the PNI
CommBoard features a user selectable RS-232
or RS-485 interface to the host system. The
CommBoard developer kit comes with software
for the PC that has a graphical user interface
(GUI) to control every aspect of the
CommBoard and any PNI module that is
attached to it.
In the future, different interfaces may be made
available as customer needs are identified.
Please contact PNI for support with your custom
interface high-volume opportunity
.
Features
ƒ Small size: 53 x 25 x 11 mm
ƒ RS-232 and RS-485 interfaces for
connection with PCs or other serial interface
systems
ƒ GUI control software available from PNI,
either as part of the developer kit or via the
web
ƒ Built-in support for PNI MicroMag and
V2Xe sensor modules, as well as several
future products
ƒ Voltage regulator converts 6 - 12 VDC to 3
VDC for power to the sensor modules
ƒ Minimal code changes required when
upgrading from PNI’s TCM-2 line of tilt
compensated magnetometer compass
modules
Applications
ƒ Fast compass and magnetometer prototyping
ƒ New product evaluation
ƒ Education, school projects
ƒ Any legacy compass application that has an
RS-232 interface but needs the performance
of new PNI products
ƒ Production applications where standards
based protocols are preferred over SPI.
Ordering Information
Name Part # Package
CommBoard Kit
(with cable & software)
90009 Each
Table 1