Networking and Internetworking with Microcontrollers

Today, networking capability in one form or another- in particular internet accessibility- is becoming mandatory in many embedded applications, including home appliances, security, automotive design, and industrial control. Sophisticated networking and communications capabilities that were previously the sole domani of mainframes, PC's and workstations are now moving into the realm of smaller embedded microprocessors and microcontrollers. However, the documentation for standards for implementing networking functionality using small microcontrollers are not in place, and design information is difficult to find. This book pulls together the necessary design information and shows how to use ntoday's affordable microcontrollers for powerful networkign applications such as LAN's (local area networks) and embedded internet. Using working code examples and schematic diagrams, the reader is guided through the basics of developing his or her own aspplications usiong two popular microcontrollers, the Atmel AVR and PIC. The features and pros/cons of the two microcontroller families are comapred and contrasted throughout. Full working designs for implementing embedded internet and Ethernet connectivitty are described and sample sourse code is provided and thoroughly explained. Also, since storage is an issue, particuklarly with embedded internet, the book describes how to interface the microcontrollers to a standard ATA hard drive such as those found in personal desktop, laptop and server-class computers. The book will also cover wireless connections, providing the information necessary to effect a wireless link between two Atmel-based, and two PIC-based devices. An accompanying CDROM contains the full source code for all applications programs. Although information dioes exist on creating the sort of networking embedded systems products covered in this book, it takes a tremendous amount of time to pull it together from various manufacturers websites and databooks. This book does all the work of assembling the needed information, as well as providing detailed design examples, many schematic diagrams, and figures demonstrating specific techniques. * The only source that pulls together difficult-to-find design information, and teaches step-by-step how to use it to create powerful networking applications * Includes fully functional examples of microcontroller hardware and firmware * Companion cd-rom includes all schematics and code utilized in the book