If we start with Stephane's question, I think there is some decissions to be taken, before we discus wich processor etc. to be used.

What is "industrial". And more important: Who is supposed to do software updates on the system. What are the consequences of a failing software up date.

When not playing around with controllers and stuff, i work with pro audio. The last 4-5 years the new smart devices has been processor/software based, and almost all machines simply implements a standard 9 pin sub D on the back, for the user to install new software, available on the vendors web site. This typically is a zipped package containning a windows program wich does it all. Works like a charm - the only pitfall is power interuption in the midle of proces.

For controlling lights, air condition and several other building systems, I currently work with an embedded projekt. It will feature the (old - customer demand) Infineon 80C515. I've added 128K RAM, 128K FLASH and a few memory mapeed deviceses.
Since these systems will be setup and serviced by qualified personal, my plans are to use the first 64K block of flash to aplikation software. The last block will contain a command interpreter and the bootloader. With this service engineers can get acces to single I/O's and internal registers with a notebook and a coms. program. And they can invoke the bootloader from the command interpreter. Acces to the second block of flash is by turning a key, om maybee by a secret switch behind a panel.

There has been some discusiion about JTAG and device programming etc. In my oppinion ths all depends verry much on volume.

Will your factory produce 10.000 devices a week - or will you get somebody to handsolder the systems a few pieces at a time. And is all your systems alike - or are they never? For the small scale production I'll go for the simple aproach, and use a simple 232/USB/can/whatever port. Of course this means that you will have to use a programmer to program (and block protect) your external flash, or use the processor containd bootloader (P89C66X, DS89C420 etc).

You then dont have to deal with dongles and third party software (exept for a standard comms. program) and are free of licenses and legal stuff.

Go' søndag

Per Guldmann