<style type="text/css"> i { font-style: italic; } </style>I was in the process of replying to the new posts early yesterday evening (ten hours ago), but one of my friends needed me to drive him to the emergency room. Poor guy nicked his finger and spent seven hours in the emegency room. After four doctors and one failed attempt at stitches they finally let him go. What a way to spend an evening!


About this thread, I should have defined "high speed" a little better - I meant "faster than a 115.2k UART." The roughly 10kB/sec speed limit is pretty slow for what I would like to do. Anything that is faster, and with increased connectivity, would be a better choice.


Oh decisions, decisions! You guys have given me so much to consider.

TCP/IP and USB are both looking attractive. I like the speed and connectivity offered by both, but from my perspective TCP/IP beats USB for connectivity because I can communicate micro-micro AND micro-PC across an unknown topology whereas USB is master-slave only. However, I have no intention of using Ethernet for micro-micro communication - that is what I am using CAN for.


The Phytec C167-based CAN and Ethernet module looks like a real workhorse. That would have the power to handle most if not all of the ECU data collection and control I plan to do. One extra board could finish off any additional work. I will strongly consider it as the backbone of the ECU.

However, I think USB will be a more useful skill in future projects, as MJK pointed out. I already have a handful of ideas for other USB devices, and I am looking forward to trying Cygnal chips. Ethernet seems like overkill for simple embedded devices, but it does give incredible connection flexibility. Ethernet does not produce devices that are as stand-alone for PC's due to the need for power and a connection to a hub. This is straying slightly from my topic..

Anyhow, both have excellent speed for what I am trying to do. Neither is well suited for automotive embedded apps! I do not yet see either one (or any alternative) as a clear winner.

I will have to spend more time researching my options. Thanks for the tips thus far!

- Lee