Hello Jeti engineers,
with EX, the sensors have their unique ID now, but still use the common "old" UART HW which doesn't allow to connect them to a single line. Of course the expander can be used to connect multiple sensors, but this means money, connectors, wiring and addtional space which is a disadvantage compared to M-Link, HOTT sensors etc. in my opinion.
Because only 9600Bd is used on the EXT line, I think it's possible adding a 2nd UART to the sensors, done with an atMega software UART, which then would allow just to connect a 2nd sensor to a 1st sensor, see the concept idea here:
It would be OK for the 1st sensor just to "listen" to EX frames at its SW UART, then integrate these frames 1:1 (with a given priority) into its own frames and forward them unchanged to the RX. Ignore all text frames, menu and keyboard handling... In case a 2nd sensors parameters should be changed, it still can be done as today via direct connection to a Jeti Box.
CONs?
- For Jeti: No more Expanders would be sold
- An additional 3-pin JR header per sensor required (space is left on most of the sensor PCBs)...
@Jeti, please let me know when I should prepare for 1st test runs...
Kind regards,
Henning