Hello Everybody!
I want to try FEZ Domino (already ordered) to substitue some discontinued components in our optical elements printer.
What we generally need is to have a close and easy cooperation of PC and microcontroller, where the FEZ would receive commands from PC, drive XY-moving stage with optical linear encoders, two other stepper motors, read the signal from precise distance sensor and react, finally sending back the confirmation to PC.
Previously most of devices were controlled via CAN bus using PCI-CAN card, but we’d be glad to get rid of it.
What I’d like to ask for is what is the best way for simple, small data amount bi-directional communication with PC via USB. Already read about virtual serial port, but I’d probably prefer some simpler (for software people) way. CAN was creating strange problems sometime, but it will be probably kept between FEZ and stepper drivers (Monopack), unless we find other good controllers working nicely in closed loop with optical encoders…