MODular ElecTRONics system for professionals and hobbyists
An exciting new development for all levels of players in the electronics industry.
A MODULAR electronics system for creating custom applications without having to purchase expensive "one application" units. What do you mean by MODULAR?

MODULAR means that every element of the unit can be exchanged with another. Using the popular DIN rail mount format we have developed a set of hardware modules that can be combined to create the electronics unit of your choice

MOTHERBOARD
The system consists of a motherboard with pins and slots that accepts a variety of different plug-in electronic modules.
Access to the outside world is via rugged pcb mount screw terminals.

POWER SUPPLIES
If the power supply needs to change from a linear to a universal input switched mode, it is simply unplugged and replaced with the more suitable one.

MICROCONTROLLERS
If you do not want to develop with a PIC16F876 then replace the microprocessor module with an ATMEGA48.
Each microcontroller module has the option of plugging in a battery backed time micro-module or an EEPROM micro-module.
This increases the flexibility of your design by giving YOU , THE DESIGNER more options.

DISPLAY
Currently the display consists of 4 programmable seven segment displays with 2 additional LEDs for indicators and 3 buttons for user input. The display can also be ordered with a built in temperature sensor and light sensor.

LEXAN
The flexibility does not however end there
To complete your design and to bring it up to the highest professional standards we also have a generic LEXAN. What does that mean you may ask?. This is high quality, general purpose sticker that has a transparent black window for the display elements, embossed buttons for the i/o and a clear window in which YOU the user can add your OWN LOGO and description of the hardware application you are designing.

INPUT / OUTPUT MODULES
The greatest choice however
is reserved for the input/output modules. The range is expanding as YOU the USER comes up with applications that YOU need to solve your electronic challenges. Each module is easily exchanged and replaced as required by YOUR application.

EXTERNAL MODULES - NEW
Extend without incurring huge additional cost
External modules are being designed that will increase the functionality of the existing modules. Want to switch more than 10A then use the external relay module, want to switch 300W of lighting then use the external Triac module. The best however is reserved for the 4x Input or Output external modules which can be used to create a virtual wiring system by extending switches on the near side to switching appliances on the far side via a Zigbee wireless link.

No more ONE APPLICATION AND EXPENSIVE electronics
that may become redundant as your needs change. Now you can evolve with your changing requirements by easily changing modules.
To date the modules included:
Digital input - useful for counters and timers
RS232 - for communications with PC's and other peripheral equipment
Analog input - for converting current (0-20mA) and voltage (0-5V) signals to digital
Relay output - for switching alarms/motors/lights etc
Proto pcb - for testing and building your own applications
Extender - For debugging purposes if that is the level at which you work

BUT it gets more exciting still.
Each motherboard can handle 2 (two) input / output modules SO:

You want to read an analog signal and transmit the data to you pc - NO PROBLEM
Just plug in the relevant modules and the hardware is ready.
NO EXPENSIVE redesign
NO EXPENSIVE prototypes.
You want to set a timer or a counter and then control a relay - NO PROBLEM
Just plug in the modules of your choice and off you go.

APPLICATIONS
Well here you are only limited by your imagination. To wet your appetite I can list a few examples.
The exciting part of the applications section is that as they become available I will be posting the software
FREE OF CHARGE.
Yes, you read right - FREE OF CHARGE. As applications are developed by myself and other users I will be making it all available on this website. So the chances are that the software for your application may be available and FREE and only requires a download on your part or we will program the hardware for you.
Some applications:
TIMER
With battery backed time to control e.g. garden lights, pond pumps (Relay module)
TEMPERATURE Controller
Monitors a digital temperature sensor and controls a relay (Input module/Relay module)
COUNTER
Counts external events and displays result (Input module) and has an optional link to a PC via an RS232 card (RS232 module)
TACHO switch
Monitors a digital input and switches a relay when a frequency trip point is reached (Input module)
ZIGBEE module
Allows wireless communications between Zigbee enabled units

Can easily be upgraded as your needs change.
Best of all for this type of flexibility - LOW COST
If you need to develop your own "killer" unit, then just change the software with the free tools available on the net
or speak to us and we will write the software for you.
 

IN THE PIPELINE
- Virtual wiring possibilities using the 4x external modules mentioned previously.
- Add on modules that will allow the current single input modules to be expanded to 4x inputs and the current single output relays to be expanded to 4x relays.
- modules in design phase - Analog output / Digital output / Isolated outputs / X10 interface / External temperature/ Strain gauge
- power supplies in design phase - 12Vdc / 24Vdc
- growing list of free software applications - Timer / Counter / Tacho




Please feel free to browse and contact us with your comments and questions