Build Your Own Universal Computer Interface

by Bruce A. Chubb

Bruce Chubb helps readers to build a truly universal computer interface that can be used for virtually any application. The disk includes all of the computer code needed to implement the hardware.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830694226
• ISBN13: 9780830694228
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Tab Books
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Electrical explainations, pricey to build

From an electrical explaination viewpoint this is a spectacular book. It does a great job of the why it does what it does, and how it does it. It expalins how the data-bus is 'extended outside' the CPU onto his interface, and how the decoding and latching works. My major complaint is the cost that it takes to build it. PC Board scematics are provided at reduced size, they provide addresses for bare boards, and built boards. I can't etch boards, so buying bare ones is needed for me. As the author points out, after parts are added, you are looking at 300.00- 400.00 (U.S. Dollars) to build yourself, almost double that if you want to buy built/tested boards. The basic bare boards run about 100.00 for the 3 boards that build the minimum 'system' (which provides 16 outputs) I believe another 36.00 for an input board (16 ports). then start multiplying the input/outport boards(32?/36? each) for multiples of input and/or output as your 'design' needs. (upto 1536 each is supported). I'm a basic hobbiest, I can build on a bread-board etc. I'm not looking to run a business operation (which this thing CAN do). I was looking to 'play around' with an extra 286/386 I have around. But at these prices, I don't think I'll actually build his design (but I will use some of his circuit ideas in my own bread-boards).

It is the easiest technical book to read and understand

I think Bruce Chubb did an excellent job writing this book. His examples are clear and concise. He really does a good job bringing the techno babble of today to a level that a typical person off the street can understand. The book uses a great example by applying an interface to a model railroad. It's a must read for anyone internested in building a computer interface to control anything from house alarms to running a model railroad.