History of Flowcode

[chipfryer27]

Hi

Following on from previous

FC v3 & 4.JPG (212.23 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

Flowcode v3 and rear view of v4

Development Board v2.1.JPG (240.65 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

The next board up, the v2.1 Development Board

HP-488-00-3.JPG (275.74 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

Big changes - The HP-488-00-3


I still use the "HP" board when I need a few microcontrollers running together. In fact all the boards still work. However you couldn't use Port B if you wanted the LCD too, which limited "testing". For example some PICs only have IOC on Port B so it was one or the other. The great advantage of these boards was your imagination. The Pot or LDR could be any analogue device you could think of, and the buttons and LEDS any digital input and output. LED A5 could be a relay activating or such like.

EB-006-00-8.JPG (165.68 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

The EB-006-00-8 (with a ZIF inserted)

The EB-006 did away with the "BT-Sockets" and allowed full access to ports. A companion "Combo" board was also available to purchase.

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The EB-083-00-1 "Combo" Board

EB6 and Combo.JPG (246.88 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

Combo & Programmer

Around this time full of great intent I obtained a few modules to learn / experiment with and also made a couple of 9-pin D-Type to SIL breakout boards. I bought a couple of WiFi modules and a LAN module if not mistaken. The LAN module is actually in a working prototype that went straight into service. Been running for years now without issue. I never got around to doing anything with the WiFi modules though. Any offers

EB-069-00-1.JPG (181.38 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

EB-069-00-1

At the rear of the attached eBlocks User Guide it lists the many modules available at the time. Very interesting as I don't seem to remember any radiation monitor in the component libraries

eBlocks User Guide.pdf

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eBlock User Guide

EB-006-00-9.JPG (165.25 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

EB-006-00-9

I think the EB-006-00-9 was the first to offer "Ghost" and this board was delivered to me personally by Ben at a course held in Canary Wharf.

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BL0080 the new E-Blocks-2 programmer

E-Blocks-2 started using "new" connectors so adapters had to be bought to enable backwards compatibility, although you still need to connect Power to the older boards.

I also bought the BL0145 and BL0169 boards as these allowed me to use any port for my display etc freeing up IOC on Port B (if required).

BL0145 & BL0169.JPG (191.5 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

BL0145 and BL0169 boards

BL0080, 0145 & 0169.JPG (236.27 KiB) Viewed 28177 times

E2 "Combo"

I hope this is of some small interest and serves to show the amazing capabilities of the Matrix team.

Regards

[mnfisher]

Thanks - that is very interesting to see, I particularly like the old brochures - it's like browsing the small ads in old electronics magazines . I have a BL0080 board - and I've never managed to attach anything to it. What is the name of the connectors used - The only thing I've manage t use was by cutting resistor leads and plugging them into the holes. This was not entirely successful

Martin

[chipfryer27]

Hi

Matrix offer BL0119 connectors. These offer up to 9-pin D-Type connector and are intended to allow earlier eBlocks to be used with the new board. You could then plug in a 9-pin breakout board to give you easy access. I made my own years ago but you can get them from all the usual online suppliers e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

You can also solder a SIL to the above board to allow jumpers to easily connect.

I'll post a picture later once I'm back in evil lab.

Regards

[mnfisher]

Thanks - the board has 16 pin sockets - look vaguely like Hartman 2102 c 892 but very hard to read. Needs very fine pins on the plug....

[Steve-Matrix]

For E-blocks2, there are a number of 'breakout' boards that might suit your needs: BL0117 Prototype, BL0162 Servo and BL0173 Terminals.

[chipfryer27]

Hi

The BL0173's look very handy especially as power is available. I can see me ordering up a few.

Regards

[BenR]

The EB2 board use a 16-way har-flex connector from Harting which is available from places like RS.

The EB2 datasheet documents the wiring of the connector so you can still make up your own custom E-blocks boards if you want to. It's a bit fiddlier to make your own boards but the fact its now smaller and routes power makes things a lot more modern as well as plug and play.

We do sell the adapters should anyone need them the only thing to beware of is the interboard spacing as things can get a little tight. Using the adapters and some IDC cables allows the old style boards the room they need to sit next to each other on the port connectors.

[steve001]

Shame that harting dont do a IDC male connector for this series that would be very handy

[chipfryer27]

Hi

Slightly off but in a similar vein, I've been browsing the "Old Forum" Knowledge Exchange > Programming Tips & Tricks.

I can't remember a time FC couldn't send a String via RS232/UART but it wasn't possible back in 2008. Reading through these posts (again coz I did years ago) is not only very informative but helps illustrate how far the Matrix team have brought FC with no doubt a lot of hard work.

Thanks again

[jandidden]

Nice thread. I came to FC many years ago, I think my 1st purchase was FC2 or FC3. I saw an ad from a local technical college for a full day workshop on 'flowchart programming'. It was free so I thought why not. At the end of the workshop I though FC was the best thing since sliced bread and pulled the credit card.

Jan