I need to create a device that has two RS232 ports, and I need to be able to program it do simple tasks like the pseudocode below...

It needs to be easy to program and tweak and have low power consumption. I'll consider anything from an EEPROM-type solution (but not assembler/8085 if I can help it!) up to a laptop running windows 2000 and VBscript.

My biggest concern about the laptop is the power drain - they all need like 19/20 volts, so I'd need to run an inverter and power supply. If I need to I will, but I'd rather not.

Is there some cheap programmable logic controller (under $100) that has two RS232 ports? programs in basic or other hi-ish level language?


The pseduocode is very simple;

Begin
-Loop Forever
--Output autoanswer init string to port2
--Loop until exitflag=true
---IF data is available on port 1 then
----read data from port1
----If data from port 1 contains valid data then
-----place in data buffer
----End IF
---End IF
---IF data is available on port2 then
----If data contains "LOCATE" then
-----output data buffer to port2
----End IF
----IF data contains "NO CARRIER" then
-----set exitflag=true
----End IF
---End IF
--End loop (exitflag)
-End Loop (forever)
End