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GP-3 I/O Board Kit
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 GP-3B |
GP-3What is it?
The GP3 is a low-cost very versatile interface that connects your PC to the outside analog and digital world. You can use this board in two different ways. First, you can connect it to your PC via an RS232 port or a USB port and use the programming language of your choice to sense and control the real world. The GP3 supports just about any language or operating system. AWC provides libraries for Visual Basic, Visual C++, C#, Windows Scripting Host, Delphi, Java, and generic source code libraries that will work with Linux or just about anything. You can also use our free prewritten software to plot analog values or do basic data acquisition. Even better, you can use our revolutionary GP3EZ system to create many common types of embedded applications with no programming whatsoever. You simply point and click and build your application. You have to see this tool in action to appreciate it, so you might want to check out the demonstration video.You can even use a GP3 to remotely control and sense things over a LAN or the Internet!
If you use GP3EZ, there is another way you can use the GP3. You can do your development using this easy to use tool. If you obey certain rules, you can then have GP3EZ program the GP3 board with your application. Then it will run without being connected to the PC! Suppose you are using the GP3 to sequence some lights for a holiday display. You can easily modify the sequence and timing on the PC until you have it the way you'd like. Then you can program the GP3 and it will carry out your commands without the PC. It will continue to do this until you reprogram it with a new program. Of course, you can still use it connected to the PC anytime you like. This brings a new level of affordability to embedded projects.
What can it do?
The GP3 has an impressive slate of features including:
What else do I need?All you supply is a cable to the computer (a standard serial cable or a USB serial port -- you can order them as options or use your own) and a DC power supply or 9 volt battery. The GP-3 has an onboard 5V regulator, or you can supply 5V regulated directly to it. This kit is available in two forms (see the two pictures at the top of this page). The board on the left is based on the GPMPU28 board and the one on the right is based on the GPMPU40 board. The GPMPU28 board is easier to assemble and has a connector that fits into a common solderless breadboard with the analog inputs and selected other signals. In addition, you can easily modify the board so the connector carries exactly the signals you need. This is the board most people want. However, you can build a GP3 on our GPMPU40 "universal" board (this is the GP3B configuration). This requires more manual wiring, but is highly customizable and brings out all signals to an edge connector suitable to plug into a breadboard. Of course, in either case, you can use the connector to connect to another board or a cable as your application warrants. The GP3B also has room for an 8 pin IC socket (supplied) for an op amp or other small circuit. You can also use the area for other circuitry if desired. The kit includes the 8 pin socket and an MCP602 op amp, although as you build the kit you can use this area for any circuitry you like. However, the GP3B requires significant wiring of the GPMPU40 subsystems, so it is more difficult to build. If you aren't sure, stick with the usual GP3. Please note that this is a kit and does require soldering and basic electronic tools. This allows you to customize the board to fit your needs. All the parts are through hole, and the solder masked board is very easy to assemble. How do I get one?
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Key LinksArticlesIntroduction to the GP3 : covers basics, Visual Basic, ASP, WSH, and more The GP3 and Visual Basic Express: find out how to use the GP3 with Microsoft's free Visual Basic Express The GP3 and Excel: find out how to acquire data with a GP3 and Excel Using the GP3 with Java or JavaScript: You can use the GP3's JavaScript interpreter to write quick test programs or use Java under Windows, Linux or any supported Java OS. Networking a GP3 - Using a GP3 over a LAN or the Internet for remote control and sensing. Dot Net/C Sharp Oscilloscope - Michael Gold writes about creating a scope with C Sharp and a GP-3 on the C# Corner Web site. Dot Net Voltmeter - Another Michael Gold article using the GP3 as a stylish voltmeter (C#). Dot Net Recorder - Another Gold article with a solar power twist. Internet Temperature Yet another Gold article. This one measures temperature over the Internet with a GP3. Physical Computing with Linux: A Rapid Approach using Gambas Use a RAD tool under Linux to automatically dismiss your screen saver when you approach your computer. DownloadsCore library install (includes OCX, DLL, and all required files, plus demo exe) NEW: GP3EZ (released 20 Dec 2007) point and click configuration of the GP3. GP3.OCX (released 3 Mar 2004) already included in above download. See update page for details. Source for temperature demo (Visual Basic) Source for chart recorder demo (Visual Basic) Visual C++/MFC demo (uses ActiveX) Spreadsheet example (requires ActiveX DLL) Standard non-ActiveX DLL (use C, C++, or DECLARE in VB) Java object (includes JavaScript interpreter!) Linux/Cygwin/Windows example (perfect starting point for writing your own custom libraries). Updated 19 Dec 2008 to include Linux shared library support and bug fixes. sNow with documentation (download local copy). |
