Define:
1. microcontroller
2. plc also known as programmable logic controller
3. Embedded processor
IF you wonder WHY then define the terms.
As a parting thought..a plc has a processor, uses rom/ram and is programmed with software that compiles the program into machine language. Most plc's have been developed so they can control many I/O, 4096 in some of the smaller ones, just think what a large one can do. They can work with Analog devices, communicate using different protocols/connections (sometimes at the same time ). The programming formats, especially ladder, are well known and understood by many.
HERE is the main part of this...ALL these items are usually on the shelf and easily available.
Buy a PIC and build us a controller with 4096 I/O count that can also use analog, communicate with CAN, Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet, Serial, etc with software (and make this free, at least cheap) that runs on Windows XP that programs in in ladder, stl, etc, I think ladder would probably be the most wanted still but many like other ways. OH..the components must be easily assembled, maybe a rack type configuration or something along that line.
Let us know the cost and offer HOW it was done.
