Processors and technology for PCI applications

[imshq <ims@dircon.co.uk>]

Hello everyone,

Our company is about to embark on a project to develop an embedded 
controller for a robotic application. This is likely to take the form of 
either a PCI expansion card (probably target only but not necessarily) or a 
Compact PCÍ chassis with a fast serial link to a PC or workstation.

I am therefore at the early stages of identifying a relatively powerful 
microprocessor which can be readily implemented into either or both of the 
suggested forms noted above. Processors which I intend to investigate at 
present are: i960, PowerPC, Sharc, ARM.
I am interested to hear of any good or bad experiences using these or other 
processors in this type of application.

Another area of interest for this project is the implementation of the 
logic used for the interface in the case of the expansion card. It may be 
convenient (but not strictly necessary) for us to use an "off the shelf" 
interface which I believe can be purchased for implementation in Altera 
programmable logic or the like.

Any constructive thoughts or experiences regarding these issues or related 
issues will be gratefully recieved.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Peter Ross