Tiny board delivers Web connectivity
By Warren Webb, Technical Editor -- EDN, July 25, 2006
A frequent design-retrofit task is to add network connectivity to stand-alone embedded controllers or handheld instruments. Targeting these efforts, Mosaic Industries recently announced the Ethersmart Wildcard, a 2×2.5-in. expansion board that allows application programs to send e-mails, transmit data, or alert other computers on the network when significant events occur. The company based the board on the Lantronix Xport, which combines an x86 processor, flash memory, a 10/100-Mbit Ethernet network-interface controller, and an RJ-45 jack.
An onboard UART buffers data between the Xport and host controller. The Ethersmart Wildcard implements multiple Web protocols to establish and manage communications. Precoded software allows applications to compose and send e-mail, establish a TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) connection to exchange data, and accept connections from a Web browser to serve dynamic Web pages in response to queries. The Ethersmart Wildcard is now available and sells for $140 (100).
