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Stamp to PC interface using Visual Basic 5
Introduction

There is couple of thing you have to do before your stamp can communicate with your PC. If you want to use the stamps dedicated I/0 pin(rpin16), you have to do a modification to your carrier board first. There is two options: First cut the trace that connects DTR (DB-9 pin-4) to ATN(BS2 pin-3), with a knife. Use a multi meter to check that the trace is cut. Next solder a wire from DTR to one side of a 0.1 uf cap. The other side of the cap goes to ATN poin. The purpose of this series cap is to block DTR stead state, but passes the attention/ programming pulse sent by the stamp host software. Then connect anoter 0.1uf cap from the ATN pin to Vss(Gnd). This is to soak up moise that might ve coupled into the line. To see a schematic fo to page 308 of the stamp manual. The second option is to again cut the DTR to ATN trace and instead of putting a series cap, you can use a switch. When you want to porgram the BS2 close the switch, when you want to communicate with some other program open it. I chose the capacitor option because you dont have to worry what position the switch is in. The picture to the left is my carrier board this modification. If however you got the Board of Education this modification is aready done for you.

If you want to receive serial data through any other of the stamps general purpose I/O pis(rpin 0-15), you have to use a series resistor(22 KOhms) from the I/O pin to the DB-9 connector. This resistor limits current into the I/O pin. See page 309 in the Stamp manual for more info and a schematic.



Here is a schematic of how to connect your PC the stamp using its dicated serial line.




Projects

VBonoff
- This project will show you how to use Visual Basic 5 to control a Relay.

VBtemplog
- This project will show you how to use Visual Basic 5 to Display and Log the temperature on your PC using a LM335 temp sensor and a ADC.




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Last update: September 18/1999

Questions or comments email me at Shaunwilson19@yahoo.con
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