Don McDermit wrote:
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I am new to microcontrollers but am eager to do a project. I want to use a microcontroller to examine an ASCII string and activate 6 relays based on the values contained in the string. I will also need some discrete inputs as well.



Can anyone recomend which microcontroller I should be using? Is there a PCB already made for this or will I need to build one?
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There are complete microcontroller products available that you could use. The Xplor-52i from BlueEarth, LLC has 6 relay outputs and 6 opto inputs, along with a serial port.
http://www.BlueEarthLLC.com/x52i.htm