This is a proposed project to create a system based on KFLARE which would provide single-channel Laser/TEC driver boards controlled by a single central controller. Some notes:

• Existing design uses an Atmel ATMega164A uC per laser in a 44-VQFN package. This device is efficiently used, with only about 4 spare I/O pins.
• Communication is over a Modbus-like RS-485 serial shared bus. This works well since RS-485 has very good power supply rejection. See ​communications protocol spec document.

In the current system an additional ATMega64A uC was used as the system controller, which would manage up to 20 Laser/TEC modules and handle the interface with the host computer. The system controller also managed the power supply, fans and an additional white light source.

Suggest to keep the Laser/TEC as-is and possibly update the system controller. Some options and pros/cons:

• Zynq, e.g. Enclustra Mars ZX2 DIMM
  • Pros: Linux on-board, familiar, lots of GPIOs, complete control of peripherals
  • Cons: Analog inputs may be hard to use
• Beaglebone:
  • Pros: Linux on-board, UARTs and analog inputs built-in, enough GPIOs
  • Cons: Unfamiliar, sounds like analog inputs are a real headache
• Raspberry pi:
  • Pros: Linux on-board, widely used
  • Cons: Unfamiliar, share UART with serial console (?), analog inputs maybe a pain
• FPGA Eval board:
  • Pros: Relatively easy to use (IPBus interface?)
  • Cons: Need to come up with an ADC solution

There exist some useful PMODs, such as ​Isolated RS-485 and ​4 ch 12 bit ADC