Two 18F4550 and One 74HC595 line How to ?

[pretourian]

Hi all,

It´s been sometime since my last post in the forum so long that my account was deactivated. But I am back.

I´ve been working on this project which consists in 2 independent computers controlling audio switches (SSM2404) through their usb ports. We were thinking of something like two 18F4550, one for each computer and a few 74HC595, acctually there are 24 of them (too many audio lines). But here goes my questions.

1- How can I attach two PICs to one data line 74HC595 (data,clock,latch) in order not to have data conflicts? Will I have to double the 74HC595 or there is another way to achieve this ?

2- In order to save I/O lines from the pics is it possible to perform a 32 bits Shout command with 4 cascaded 74HC595. Something like SHOUT DTA,CLK,MSBFIRST,[$FE56\32] ?

Any help will be really appreciated.

PS:See the attached file.