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Rabbit

Introduction

The Rabbit core is a small PCB, about 2" by 1", that incorporates a  processor, flash memory, RAM, serial and parallel interfaces, a real time  clock and perhaps most important of all, a full ethernet interface. To create an ethernet enabled controller, all that is required is a regulated power supply and an optional backup battery so that it can keep time. The cores themselves are inexpensive, at around £40-£50 depending on supplier and volume.

Toolchain

Rabbit official prototype boardxAP for Rabbit uses the Z-World C-compiler. This is supplied with the Rabbit Evaluation Board (see picture  to the right), which is available from either the US or UK distributor; it is  quite good value for money given that it includes the C compiler, the evaluation board and a Rabbit core. The Rabbit processor itself uses an instruction set  similar to the 8-bit Z80, so anyone with Sinclair assembler programming experience should  feel right at home.

  

The xAP library has not currently been documented (this is work in progress), but the example source code is well commented. I've been told that later versions of the compiler have  changed the interface to the network layer slightly, so the code supplied here  may need some modification.

  

 Given it's cost and capabilities, a typical application of the Rabbit is as a high level controller, acting as a bridge between a TCP/IP network and one or more serial xAP devices (PIC  powered devices for example).

  

Miscellaneous Rabbit Notes

 

Download

Rabbit Development Tools

Rabbit xAP Sample Code
Sample code illustrating xAP control with the Rabbit

R
elated...

 

Tutorials...

Rabbit Quick Tour
C Library Reference

 

Copyright (c) 2002-2006 Patrick Lidstone unless otherwise stated.
All rights reserved.