DonTronics - DIY Electronics MicroController Kits.

MicroController Kits From Hong Kong.

Dontronics now has available a range of Electronic Kits that are supplied by our good friends at DIY Electronics in Hong Kong. These are all MicroController based kits.

DIY Electronics also trades as "Kitsrus" and can be found on the web at: http://www.kitsrus.com

As global currencies fluctuate, and we attempt to upgrade prices to suit these changes, it has been decided to fix these kit prices to the US Dollar as this is readily accepted as being a good guide to International value.

All Prices are given in approximate US Dollars. This US Dollar figure is converted to Australian Dollars and charged at the current exchange rate. This is now my normal method of Global pricing on all Disk and Manual software as well.

All kits are posted Air Mail to you from Hong Kong and are Insured. The shipping charge per kit is $10USD with additional kits in the same package charged at $5USD per kit.

Single Board Computers
Southern Cross 1     Z80 Based
and Support
SC3 - Relay Board Kit
SC4 - 8x8 Display Board
SC5 - Southern Cross "Intelligent" Eprom Emulator
SC7 - DS1213B Dallas Smart Socket
SC13 - Relay Board Upgrade
Southern Cross II      8032/52 Based

Other MicroController Kits
Kit 38. Timeout. Introduction to Micro-controllers
Kit 40. Reaction Timer 68HC705K1
Kit 42. Number Cruncher 68HC705K1
Kit 53. Codepad/Burglar Alarm 68HC705P9
Kit 54. Universal Timer 68HC705K1
Kit 86. Telephone Line Switcher.
To Kits Software Download Page

Southern Cross 1

The Southern Cross 1 is a Z80 based Single Board Computer System which has been designed to teach beginning students modern code development techniques. After construction, you can move straight into programming to gain immediate confidence. The system is not a copy of early single board computers - this is a 1990's rethink of what a single board computer system should be. It grows with the student to connect to a PC to aid and demonstrate modern methods of code development. NOTE: all software code including the Monitor is supplied with comments. Dimensions: 227mm x 130mm (9.75" x 5.15") Available as a kit or tested & assembled.
Features:

40 pin IDC expansion socket with all uP lines

16 pin IDC expansion socket with 4 I/O ports

large single sided PCB for easy learning and use

6 LED displays for Address/Data output

10 year RAM backup with optional DS1213B Smart Socket

Single stepping in both hardware and software available to debug your programs

Connects to the Serial port of a PC. Teaches you how to write your programs on a PC, assemble it then download it to the Southern Cross Serial interface PCB, components and Z80 assembler included

Floppy disk with many program examples fully commented

Real time, day and date capability with the optional DALLAS DS1216 - Smart Watch IC. Includes RAM backup

Bit I/O Port with 2 input and 2 output bits available for projects

all Cmos ICs, 8K RAM, 8K EPROM

9-15V, AC or DC input

20 key hex on-board keypad plus Reset

2 hardware speed controls

Documentation:

Full construction details included. All schematics.

Monitor listing published with comments. We do not treat the monitor as 'secret'. We show you how to use it in your own programs by system calls.

Alphabetic and Numeric Instruction Set listing.

Optional Technical Manual with copies of all IC Data sheets and Z80 technical manual.

Nine pages of program examples.

Registration form.

Order
SC1 Kit;                             ~$109USD
SC2 assembled & tested.    ~$150USD
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Support for Southern Cross 1
Order
SC3 - Relay Board Kit     ~$19USD
(Picture) Allows the Southern Cross to communicate with the real world. Turn on lights, switches and solenoids from your program. If you use the optional DS1216B SmartWatch on the motherboard, then programs in real time can be written.
All components for 1 relay position provided in this kit.
Dimensions: 207mm x 67mm (8.1" x 2.6").

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Order
SC4 - 8x8 Display Board   ~$37USD
(Picture) Learn how to write your own moving message displays in any language. Define your own character set so you can write in any language. Full instructions and commented programs included on floppy disk. Write your own maze game. Copy and add to our maze game supplied on the floppy disk. Full details on how to do it are also enclosed. There is a random pattern kaleidoscope program built into the Southern Cross Monitor for testing. Up to three 8x8 Display Boards can be attached to the CN1 Input/Output Expansion Connector of the Southern Cross. This teaches the general method for connecting tens of 8x8 display modules to the CN3 Expansion Socket in your own massive display board. Dimensions: 60mm x 119mm

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Order
SC5 - Southern Cross "Intelligent" Eprom Emulator Kit: ~$70USD
SC6 - Southern Cross "Intelligent" Eprom Emulator Tested: ~$87USD
(Picture) It has never been easier to learn how to use this valuable tool for code development. We have assumed no previous knowledge. We describe fully what an emulator does and how to set it up between the Southern Cross, or any target system with an 8K, 16K or 32K EPROM and either printer port of your Personal Computer. Optimised software is supplied to download assembled programs from the PC to the emulator.
Our modern design recognises Intel Hex and binary files in software. /Fxx command line switch fills unused bytes in emulated ROM space with the byte xxH of your choice. (Very useful for cleaning out old programs without resetting.) Reset command sent in software before each file transfer. Power automatically comes from target system. Active low reset.

Emulates 8K, 16K and 32K EPROMs

supports Intel hex and binary files

only 6 ICs including an 8748 micro-controller

floppy disk contains many program examples

connects to either parallel port of your PC

double-sided plated through PCB,

115mm x 58mm (4.5" x 2.3")

all cables provided

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     SC7 - DS1213B Dallas Smart Socket (Reduced to $8USD)
     Ten year RAM battery backup when the power to the Southern Cross is removed. Plugs
     into RAM socket between RAM chip and socket. Install in seconds. No hardware
     modification necessary. Data sheet provided.

Order
SC13 - Relay Board Upgrade ~$18USD
To complete all 8 relay positions for the SC3, this KIT contains the remaining seven relays and components.
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Southern Cross II

An 8032/52 Based Single Board Computer / Software Development System
The Southern Cross II single board computer is based around the 8032/52 8-bit microcontroller. Just add a 12 volt power supply and connect to any PC capable of running an 8031 cross-assembler and you have a complete software development system. Programming in BASIC is also possible using one of the 8052-BASIC chips currently available.
Hardware Features

8032/52 based microcontroller running at 11.0952MHz.

Selectable 8/16/32K EPROM. 32K EPROM is split to allow for storage of BASIC programs.

32K RAM configured as 16K of DATA memory and 16K of user PROGRAM memory.

2 serial ports - one using the internal serial port and the other an external SCC2691 UART.

Up to 13 I/O lines using all 8 bits of Port 1 and 5 bits of Port 3 of the microcontroller.

3 x 8-bit parallel ports using an optional 8255 PPI chip.

4 decoded "bit ports" connected directly to the data bus.

256 byte I/O expansion area enabling extra peripherals to be connected directly into the memory map.

Optional battery backup for 32K RAM and clock/calendar function using Dallas DS1216C Intelligent Socket.

Switchable between assembly language and BASIC programming environments using an optional 8052-BASIC chip. These chips have a BASIC interpreter built in.

On board eprom programming hardware (for 32K EPROMs) for storing BASIC programs. (Optional.)

Programmable logic devices (GALs) used to provide memory and I/O decoding - can be reconfigured as required.

Low power CMOS ICs

Can be used as a stand-alone 8031/8032 CPU board

Fully compatible with Southern Cross I Relay Board & 8x8 add-ons.

Hardware & software user manuals on disk including schematics, component overlay and parts list.

Board dimensions: 17.5 x 10 cms (6.85 x 3.9 ins) designed to fit Retex RA1 box.

Powerful Debugging Software
The Southern Cross II computer comes complete with our own MVS-31, a powerful EPROM based real-time debugging monitor program. When connected to a host computer, a complete 8031 software development system is available. The target program is edited and assembled on the PC. The object file can then be downloaded via a serial port to the Southern Cross II for testing and debugging, in REAL TIME! Debugging commands include breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, memory examine/change, memory dump, display/modify registers, etc. Disassembler built in. User accessible input/output functions also available.
Order
SC22 Kit                             ~$123USD

Customer Question about BASCOM-8051 Basic Compiler 22-Apr-1999
> Is this product suitable for use with the Southern Cross II?
I have checked and I am sure the generated BASCOM code will work with the board.
I have used BASCOM with such a setup (other board) with success.
Note that generated code is 8051 compatible so will work with ANY 8051 uP or family member. Also note that only internal RAM can be used. But XRAM as with the SCII , can be used too without problem. You can tell
the compiler where the ROM code must be located and where the RAM is located.
Best regards, Mark Alberts MCS Electronics

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Kit 38. Timeout. Introduction to Micro-controllers

This kit introduces the Motorola 68HC705K1, an 8-bit 16-pin microcontroller first released in 1992. The Kit is a down counter from 60 or 90 seconds. with beeps every 10 seconds. Designed to introduce the very beginner to microcontrollers and how to code them. The on/off switch and pulldown resistors are all built into the K1 and are under software control. 9V battery powered. All the information about how to program these computers on a chip is supplied. Featured in Everyday with Practical Electronics, February, 1994.

Order
Kit 38    ~$30USD
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Kit 40. Reaction Timer 68HC705K1

Over the years there have been many logic circuits published for simple reaction timers - the logic shows which of two contestants was first to press a button after a sound or light stimulus or a question. However, none of them showed how many milli-seconds both the winner & the runner-up took to press their buttons. The use of microcontrollers demonstrates how software can replace logic ICs to give a smaller and much more versatile electronic circuit.
The software is an extension of that already presented in Kit 38. The major change is the addition of a 4.096 mHz crystal for accurate time measurement. Pressing either button turns the unit on. The fastest ever previous response time (since the battery was connected) is displayed. Press again - '000' is displayed and a random 'beep' sounds within 4 seconds. The exact time when both persons press their buttons (if within 999 msec) is recorded and displayed alternately on the display. The unit will power down automatically after one minute. The off/on switch is built into the chip. 9V battery powered. All flowcharts & commented software code supplied. Featured in Electronics Australia, , March, 1994.

Order
Kit 40    ~$35USD
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Kit 42. Number Cruncher 68HC705K1

Binary/hexadecimal/decimal/2's complement converter using a K1 uC. Eight LEDs are in a row. Step turns them on in turn by counting up using binary arithmetic. The 3-digit display shows the decimal equivalent (between 0 & 255) of the binary pattern. Press mode and the equivalent hexadecimal value (between 0 & FF) of the binary pattern is displayed. Mode and step pressed together will count backwards. If step is kept depressed the LEDs will rapidly count through the complete binary cycle in about 9 seconds.
But that is only half the capability of the Kit. Pressing mode again will show the 2's complement binary pattern of the previously displayed binary number. The equivalent hex and decimal values of the 2's comp number are also shown on the 3-digit display. Double-sided small PCB, 49mm x 79mm, 1.95" x 3.1". Supplied with box. 9V battery required. Display turns off after 1 minute with no keypress. Complete annotated program code supplied on floppy disk. Reviewed in Electronics Australia, 9/94, p82 - 86.

Order
Kit 42    ~$35USD
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Kit 53. Codepad/Burglar Alarm 68HC705P9
This project started out to use the K1 for a simple codepad - entering a four digit code would operate a relay. The most common use of such a codepad is to open a door. We looked at other codepads on the market. We tried to incorporate all their good features into our software to produce the best codepad possible. The project outgrew the K1 and we ended up using a Motorola P9.
We found some codepads which already used a uC did not use it to its full advantage. Other codepads were so complicated to program that you almost needed a PhD in electronics! We have put together a combined codepad & simple (independent) burglar alarm into an easy to understand & logical package. It has all the normal features of a codepad (93C46 EEPROM storage, programmable alarm times, master access code, panic, tamper alarm, etc.) But we have added other features such as an independent burglar alarm, a third relay on board and direct triggering of the main relay (used for the door strike) if required. We have tried to use the power & capability of the P9 uC to make all features logical, easy to use & all located in software. Keypad is located remote from the main board. Double sided plated through hole PCB 89mm x 63mm. 12V DC. Separate keyboard unit supplied.
Order
Kit 53    ~$50USD
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Kit 54. Universal Timer 68HC705K1

This Kit continues the pattern demonstrated in earlier K1 micro-controller (uC) Kits (#38, #40, #42) where a uC more than replaces a cluster of logic IC's. In this Kit we have incorporated seven different types of timing operations all in one Kit. The Kit basically only contains 3 IC's. This is less than some timers which only time a single operation! A 4.096 MHz crystal attached to the K1 gives accurate timing. We have included two opto-isolators in the design to allow for a full range of signal inputs ranging from simple push buttons to electrically isolated voltage switching sources.

Time can be counted in steps of 0.1 seconds between 0.1 & 6553.6 sec. (1h 49m 13.6s), or in 1 seconds steps between 1 sec. & 65536 sec. (18h 12m 16s.) On-board DIP switches select start/stop times & timing modes.

Three flowcharts and 4 pages of written explanations are given in the documentation. Double sided PCB 56mm x 97mm mounted on box. On-board 12V relay rated at 5A/240V.
Order
Kit 54~$47USD
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Kit 86. Telephone Line Switcher.

Turn on/off up to 4 relays over the telephone. Dial up your phone from anywhere in the world, input your pin number then turn on or off any of 4 relays. Use the relays to control any evices you have in your house or office. The pin number is set by 4 on-board BCD rotary switches. The circuit has the required telephone line protection circuitry built-in (but non approved.) The standard line impedance termination can be customised by the user for their own particular country if they want to get better impedance matching.
12V DC. 68HC705K1 controlled. All source code comes on floppy disk with the kit. The LED's in the photo are for testing to give a visual indication that the relays are working.

Order
Kit 86~$67USD
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