Rabbit Development Tools & Parts

The RAB2000 is a development board for the RCM2100 family of Rabbit core modules.  It provides a convenient way to connect the core module to serial ports and prototype circuitry without soldering.  All IO ports are routed to separate connectors for easy connection to your circuitry via ribbon cables.  It's ideal for solderless breadboards.

Schematic diagrams, the PCB layout, and other information for the RAB2000 can be found here.

RAB2000 Brochure (121k)

The Model 100 version of the development board has the minimal parts to develop RS232 applications.  Only one of the two MAX202 drivers is installed for each serial port.  

Part #: PCA-9/100

• RCM2100 access headers (0.1" pitch)

• IO port connectors 

• Four RS232 drivers, two DCE and two DTE
  (2 handshake lines each) 

• DB9 connectors for RS232

• Rabbit programming switch for serial port 1

• +5V voltage regulator with heatsink

The Model 200 version of the development board adds additional MAX202 drivers to allow full handshaking on the RS232 ports.  The RCM2100 has enough IO to do full handshaking on two ports.  The input switches, output LEDs, and LCD connectors are populated.  The RS485/422 driver is also added.

• RCM2100 access headers (0.1" pitch)

• 8 switch inputs, 8 LED outputs 

• LCD connectors (1x14 and two 2x7)

• IO port connectors 

• Four RS232 drivers, two DCE and two DTE 
  (drivers for full handshaking) 

• DB9 connectors for RS232

• Rabbit programming switch for DCE serial port 1

• RS485/422 drivers, full or half duplex, with removable terminal block

• +5V voltage regulator with heatsink

• DIP16 ribbon cable and jumper wire kit

The STD-1025 is a +12VDC, 3 Amp desktop power supply (i.e. not a wall mount), regulated, with power cord.  It is a wide input range switcher (100 to 240VAC).

Photo of the ratings label.

The RCM2100 is a Rabbit processor board complete with 10Mb Ethernet, 512K of Flash memory and 512K of SRAM.  Headers on the bottom provide buffered external addressing, 34 parallel user I/O and 4 serial ports.

This Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) module includes driver and micro-controller ICs with refresh RAM, character generator and interface logic.
- 2 x 16 characters, 5mm High
- LCD Compatible Design, Selectable 4/8 bit Interface
- Operating Temp -40°C to +85°C
- Single 5V Supply with Power Save Mode
Summary Datasheet

VFD Info From Noritake

Manufacturer: Ortek

Part #: MCK-18S/N

Price: $25.00 USD each  

Add a keypad to your Rabbit project!

This serial keypad is powered from the RS232 port.  It transmits a character at 1200 baud for every key press.  The characters sent are not those on the keys, so character translation must be done in the Rabbit.  A different character is sent for key down and key up.

Here is a Nuts & Volts article describing how to replace the micro in the keypad with your own PIC micro.  It gives some of the technical details of the keypad.

 
A disk with Windows drivers is included if you want to use the keypad with your PC.  Click for larger photo.

This RS232 board makes it easy to add a serial port to your projects.  It has a MAX232 driver and a 78L05 so +5V regulated power is not required.  The RS232 signals are available on a DB9 connector and the TTL signals are available on a 2x5 ribbon cable.  The relay can be  controlled with a TTL signal.  

Click for a larger photo.