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What is HCS_C?

Steve Ciarcia and crew invented the original HCS and HCS2 system as a Home Automation

project about 20 years ago. This modular system was designed to control home devices,

the telephone, burglar alarm and monitoring functions, and others. The HCS community

has taken over the HCS project, and recently the HCS_C was created that adds many

new capabilities, such as a faster processor, much more memory, many more IOs, integrated

X10 and voice support, many more serial ports, and so on.

What is the current status of HCS_C? 11/18/2006

Right now, the main board is in excellent shape. You can order the HCS_C main board, remote HCS_Combo boards, HCS_C relay boards, and so on.

Can I build the HCS_C project myself and save some money?

Of course, that is one of the principal tenets of HCS. This is a do-it-yourself project--

and you can choose what you do yourself. For those wanting hardware that they can write

software and firmware (ROM) code, you can buy an HCS_C board with options for $299

(see HCS_C Ordering Page). For those that want to build their own, you can download

the latest PC layout and parts list, order your own board and parts, and put it together--

but to do this you *must* have good SMT (surface mount technology) tools, microscope,

and expertise. Otherwise you will just make a big frustrating mess. BE SURE TO USE

ESD PROTECTION! Don't skimp--get an antistatic floor mat and work surface mat.

Otherwise, you'll be risking reliable operation or even destroying your HCS! It's not worth it!

What software will I need to download or buy? (1/4/2006)

You do not need any specialized software or JTAG connectors just to operate a programmed HCS_C board. You just need the host compiler and the host program (see HCS_Software).

If you want to update the HCS_C firmware Flash, you'll need to get the flash loader and the flash bits from the HCS_Software page. This requires a console connector to a computer's RS232 port or to a webserver board.

If you want to do an FPGA circuitry update, you'll need the JTAG adapter and the Altera Quartus programmer software. You will need the Altera Quartus software to reprogram the FPGA. This is available for free from the www.altera.com (Quartus 2 Web Edition). If you want to develop code for the HCS_C firmware, you'll need to attach the JTAG adapter to the ARM processor JTAG port to operate the emulation connection using Gnu GDB. In this case, the software requirements include the (free) Gnu ARM cross compiler and the ARM-ELF JTAG emulator software. My goal is that nothing I do to HCS_C will require expensive software or hardware parts. So far, your only expense should be the actual parts for HCS_C and cables and so on.

Will you provide boards or kits of parts?

Sorry, no. This would be more complex than I can manage. I will sell a tested, complete board and JTAG adapter, see the ordering page. EXCEPTION: if you notify me prior to an

impending build, I will add an additional raw board you can purchase.

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