Microcontroller logic into Arduino mega

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi all,
I have a pretty expensive microcontroller (DCC Concepts SuperPanel) that has 5v logic and a 5v power output,
The superpanel has IO pins that can be configured as inputs or outputs, Manufactures tech said it could communicate with the mega but wouldn't go into any detail. (so I suppose this is theoretical).
I don't want to junk my £200 super panel but would like to configure some pins to outputs that would then give high or low to digital inputs on the arduino

Can I power the arduino from the superpanels 5V
( it has substantial amps but can't remember offhand)
and common the grounds between superpanel and Arduino.
Or would inserting a level shifter be necessary/ advisable

Thanks Paul G

2

The Mega's current requirements are relatively modest.

If the panel is 5V, there's no immediate reason why the Mega couldn't read its outputs. With a common ground to create an electrical circuit as you mentioned, of course.

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Just be careful that you don't power the Mega with 5V and at the same time have a PC connected to the Mega via USB. It might cost you your PC.

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Thanks for the reply guys, I did reply earlier but it is not showing so thought it best to redo post
Thanks again

5

Is it noise free with little ripple and with no voltage spikes?

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Yep its superclean, it has its own onboard microprocessor,
I am thinking though that I may power the arduino via USB as during the interim stages I will need Arduino-USB-PC.
I presume that connecting the grounds and pins arduino to superpanel will be OK or do I need something like an optocoupler to keep the two isolated.
As you can tell I am a software dev getting way out my depth in electronics :slight_smile:
Thanks Paul G

7

Have you read and understood the warnings on the Mega product page about supplying power to the 5V pin.

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It might pay you to connect the input/output pins of the superpanel to the Arduino pins through a resistor, of value around 1kΩ.

This will give you protection if both superpanel and Arduino happen to be set as outputs and one is high, whilst the other is low.

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