One Second Pulse-Width, Once Per Hour

[Al Borowski]

Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
the chip, right?

So, what's that going to cost?

The software is free, and you can make your own programmer very
easily... see http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/ for a simple one.

Of course, a decent programmer will cost more, but that one will do the job.

Al

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Mjolinor]

"Rich Grise" <null@example.net> wrote in message
news:C4Obc.7961$Zw.5064@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...

"maxfoo" <maxfooHeadFromButt@punkass.com> wrote in message
On Thu, 01 Apr 2004 18:32:05 +1000, Al Borowski
aj.borowski@erasethis.student.qut.edu.au> wrote:

Jim Thompson wrote:
I can't locate the original post, but there was a request for a way
to
generate a one second pulse-width, occurring once per hour. I
happened on to a similar circuit in the 74HC4040 data sheet and
modified it for the required pulse-width.

This is just *begging* for a low end PIC

This would take literally 5 mins to code (if that) and be very
accurate.
Only problem is if the OP doesn't have a programmer. If he does, heck,
I'll even code it.

Al

yup, pic12c508 eight pin dip internal 4mhz clk, less than a buck each.
But the old timers'll never go for it...

Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
the chip, right?

So, what's that going to cost?

Thanks,
Rich

Download MPLAB off Microchip, cost = 0
Build a Ludipipo or a JDM, cost (assuming you have no parts) $2 ish ?

Total 2$

 

[Byron A Jeff]

In article <4070fe60.887007343@news.texas.net>,
John Fields <jfields@austininstruments.com> wrote:
-On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 23:36:36 GMT, maxfoo
-<maxfooHeadFromButt@punkass.com> wrote:
-
->On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 23:17:51 GMT, jfields@austininstruments.com (John Fields)
->>>>
->>>>This is just *begging* for a low end PIC
->>>>
->>>>This would take literally 5 mins to code (if that) and be very accurate.
->>>>Only problem is if the OP doesn't have a programmer. If he does, heck,
->>>>I'll even code it.
->>>>
->>>>Al
->>>
->>>yup, pic12c508 eight pin dip internal 4mhz clk, less than a buck each.
->>>But the old timers'll never go for it...
->>
->>---
->>Maybe not, since it might depend on the accuracy of the internal clock
->>oscillator. What is it?
->
->Its an internal 4 MHz RC oscillator with programmable calibration.
->here is the link to the datasheet.
->
->http://www.microchip.com/1010/pline/picmicro/category/digictrl/8kbytes/devices/12c508a/index.htm
-
----
-Since I'm an "old timer" and I don't have all that much time left to
-go slogging through Microchip's data sheets, I thought that since you
-seem to be familiar with their products perhaps you might be good
-enough to summarize the maximum accuracy attainable???

Not accurate enough. It's 1% typical at room temp, and 10% over the full
temp range. And temp is a problem no doubt. I have a PIC based sunrise/sunset
light controller for my outside lights that's actually crystal driven with a
32.768 Khz crystal driving timer1 to develop the RTC. The board sits in my
unfinished basement and is subject to wider temp variations than the rest of
the indoor space. It drifts enough that I have to reset it at least twice a
month. So even putting a crystal in is no guarantee that you'll develop a
stable time base.

The most stable time base is the power cycle frequency coming out of the
wall. Long term it's generally spot on. All it takes is a transformer, a
series resistor, and a zener to develop a digital square wave that can be
feed directly into an input.

BAJ

 

[Byron A Jeff]

In article <406fbf7b$0$16600$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au>,
Al Borowski <aj.borowski@erasethis.student.qut.edu.au> wrote:
-
->
-> Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
-> buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
-> _some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
-> the chip, right?
->
-> So, what's that going to cost?
-
-The software is free, and you can make your own programmer very
-easily... see http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/ for a simple one.

Thanks for the plug. It's one of the reasons that I designed it.

-
-Of course, a decent programmer will cost more, but that one will do the job.

Hey! ;-)

BAJ

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 14:02:47 GMT, the renowned maxfoo
<maxfooHeadFromButt@punkass.com> wrote:

I use a Picstart Plus programmer from Microchip and love it!
ordered it from digikey $199.99 does all Microchips products and is eeprom
upgradable. Here's the picstart user guide...
http://www.microchip.com/1010/pline/tools/picmicro/program/picstart/9508/

There's a few free diy kits out there but haven't tried them,why bother if I
have the picstart right?

90% of the problems I see with people getting started have to do with
3rd party programmers* that don't really meet the programming specs,
don't support many of the chips and so on. If you're a hobbyist and a
few hundred $ is a big deal, sure, fool around with them, but if
you're a professional, slap that plastic or PO down and get the
Microchip development programmer Picstart+ and/or ICD2. Note that even
the Picstart+ does not meet specs for production programmers (testing
at multiple Vdd levels to assure that there is margin in the
programming). But, IME, it always works unless the chip has been
fried.

BTW, they've hit the end of the line with the Picstart+ as the EPROM
of the original 17C (mumble) is full so they can't accommodate all the
new models. They have an upgrade module but newer Picstarts should be
FLASH upgradable without opening the case.

* most of the rest come from not reading the 80-300 page data sheet or
the 700-1000 page reference manual about things like setting up the
SFRs to get the correct function out of given pins, or gotchas such as
the one open-drain pin, the odd input-only pin and the loathsome R-M-W
issue on the 12 & 16 series. Then there are the errata. Microchip's
peripherals seem to me to have more "issues" in general than, say,
Motorola's.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Byron A Jeff]

In article <7p407094eebqm33v341iqbh4hhildo5njv@4ax.com>,
maxfoo <maxfooHeadFromButt@punkass.com> wrote:
-On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 06:39:30 GMT, "Rich Grise" <null@example.net> wrote:
-
->"maxfoo" <maxfooHeadFromButt@punkass.com> wrote in message
->> On Thu, 01 Apr 2004 18:32:05 +1000, Al Borowski
->> <aj.borowski@erasethis.student.qut.edu.au> wrote:
->>
->> >Jim Thompson wrote:
->> >> I can't locate the original post, but there was a request for a way to
->> >> generate a one second pulse-width, occurring once per hour. I
->> >> happened on to a similar circuit in the 74HC4040 data sheet and
->> >> modified it for the required pulse-width.
->> >
->> >This is just *begging* for a low end PIC
->> >
->> >This would take literally 5 mins to code (if that) and be very accurate.
->> >Only problem is if the OP doesn't have a programmer. If he does, heck,
->> >I'll even code it.
->> >
->> >Al
->>
->> yup, pic12c508 eight pin dip internal 4mhz clk, less than a buck each.
->> But the old timers'll never go for it...
->>
->Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
->buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
->_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
->the chip, right?
->
->So, what's that going to cost?
->
->Thanks,
->Rich
->
-
-I use a Picstart Plus programmer from Microchip and love it!
-ordered it from digikey $199.99 does all Microchips products and is eeprom
-upgradable. Here's the picstart user guide...
-http://www.microchip.com/1010/pline/tools/picmicro/program/picstart/9508/
-
-There's a few free diy kits out there but haven't tried them,why bother if I
-have the picstart right?

Yes. But if you don't have a PS+ then you must take a careful look around
before comitting to it as it's anywhere from 2 to 20 times the price of
other offerings.

For the absolute hobbyist low end, I recommend my own Trivial PIC programmers:

htp://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys

You can get rolling in less than an hour, and probably can build it with
junkbox parts.

I think the best middle ground is Wouter van Ooijen's WISP628. A serial based
ICSP programmer with free firmware and cross platform programming software.
You can build one yourself, or buy one from Wouter (as a programmed chip, kit,
or completely assembled)

http://www.voti.nl/wisp628

Finally the new crop of In Circuit Debugging (ICD) tools coming out represent
a better value than a plain PS+.

Just some thoughts.

BAJ

 

[Jim Thompson]

On 4 Apr 2004 14:30:56 -0400, byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff)
wrote:

[snip]

->> yup, pic12c508 eight pin dip internal 4mhz clk, less than a buck each.
->> But the old timers'll never go for it...
-
->Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
->buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
->_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
->the chip, right?
-
[snip]

For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

 

[John Fields]

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 12:05:01 -0700, Jim Thompson
<thegreatone@example.com> wrote:

For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

---
Basically, I think that what you have to buy is a different mindset
from what you need in order to do analog. For an extremely simolistic
example, in analog, when you generate a delay you concern yourself
with, say, what sizes of R and C you'll need, while if you do it with
a ľC you become concerned with counting events with known periods and
accumulating those counts until a certain number of them happen,
whereupon the action you wanted to perform after the delay is allowed
to start. with the analog stuff you'll also need to concern yourself
with the tolerances of the R and the C, their tempcos, the accuracy of
the detecting mechanism, the variations of the power supply, and on
and on. Digitally, you basically only have to concern yourself with
the accuracy of the clock, and then you only have to consider it once,
not every time you turn around and have to spec a different R or C or
L for the different things you want to do. That's really too
all-encompassing to be true in every case, but it'll give you an idea
of how simple and reliable it can make things be.

I like Motorola.

--
John Fields

 

[Mjolinor]

"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:dsm07092pqblsjldpk8blqvhgr8tse0rbg@4ax.com...

On 4 Apr 2004 14:30:56 -0400, byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff)
For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

...Jim Thompson

Nothing, just download MPLAB from www.microchip.com and that's all you need
until you want to prove to yourself that the output bits are actually
flashing LEDs then you need to build a programmer and blow some. Start with
PICS not Atmels (personal opinion which will probably start off some "you
don't know what your talking about" type replies).

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 21:13:51 +0100, "Mjolinor" <mjolinor@hotmail.com>
wrote:

"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:dsm07092pqblsjldpk8blqvhgr8tse0rbg@4ax.com...
On 4 Apr 2004 14:30:56 -0400, byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff)
For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

...Jim Thompson

Nothing, just download MPLAB from www.microchip.com and that's all you need
until you want to prove to yourself that the output bits are actually
flashing LEDs then you need to build a programmer and blow some. Start with
PICS not Atmels (personal opinion which will probably start off some "you
don't know what your talking about" type replies).

Thanks! And GOOD, I like to see multiple viewpoints.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

 

[Byron A Jeff]

In article <dsm07092pqblsjldpk8blqvhgr8tse0rbg@4ax.com>,
Jim Thompson <thegreatone@example.com> wrote:
-On 4 Apr 2004 14:30:56 -0400, byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff)
-wrote:
-
-[snip]
->->> yup, pic12c508 eight pin dip internal 4mhz clk, less than a buck each.
->->> But the old timers'll never go for it...
->->>
->->Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
->->buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
->->_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
->->the chip, right?
->->
-[snip]
-
-For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
-to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
-buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

Jim,

As a professional analog engineer, that's almost an unfair question as you've
probably forgotten more about circuit design than we'll ever learn. The
mechanics are not too difficult. Wouter van Ooijen has a pretty good overview
for the PIC (that applies to other uC families as well) here:

http://www.voti.nl/swp

So I'd rather spend a minute talking about how uC may fit into your current
point of view. As an ASIC designer, you already have the process, and probably
the rationale down: design and simulate in software, then compile design and
download into hardware. the uC process is simular, except that the hardware
functionality is predefined. You may actually find this to e a frustrating
step backwards from what you are used to. If your ASIC design required an extra
UART for example, you could just add one, presuming that you had enough gates
to support it and its interconnections to the other components on your ASIC.
Well with uC, you'd be stuck with a single UART and would have to implement
a software or additional hardware workaround to solve the problem.

The advantage I see is that because the hardware, interconnections, and
specifications are pretty much fixed, there is less to worry about in
terms of getting going. You know the timers work (and how they work), along
with PWM, ADC, USART and the like. So you end up getting a prepackaged set of
macro components, with a language ability to define their behavior on a
application/application basis.

As for which is best: there is no best, just a wide range of reasons which
are tradeoffs: cost, availablity, support. The list goes on and on.

I'll speak for PICs because that's all I use now. Here are some of my general
guidelines:

1) I find that bootloaders simplify both the development and the firmware
upgrade tasks. I always choose chips that are bootloadale now.

2) Nanowatt technology gives you a wide range of options in terms of speed and
power consumption control.

3) PIC assembly is the linguq franca language that developers use to discuss
programs. While eventually you'll want to get to higher level languages, it's
worth the investment to learn how to program in PIC assembly, simply so that
you'll be aware of how things get done.

4) I always choose the develop on the fullest featured chip using all of the
available tools. Then if for whatever reason if you need to go to a production
form, you can downgrade the chip to the one that meets the coverage of the
tools that you've choosen. So in terms of features, package size, and
nanowatt, this is my current stable: 12F675, 16F88, 16F876A/877A, 18F1330*,
18F4330* (*: I'm still working on development tools for the 18F family).

5) Personally because of bootloaders I find programmers to be pretty
irrelevant. The only exception is using ICD. Peter Anderson resells the
Olimex ICD package at http://www.phanderson.com. It's a load cheaper than
the Microchip offering.

6) A hard concept to get across to novices, but something that you should
have to problem with: Use software to initialize, monitor, and control
hardware whenever possible instead of simulating hardware behaviors in
software. Bitbanged UARTs, virtual timers, software PWM are examples of the
latter. Use real hardware if you have it.

So that's some thoughts. Post any questions here so we can keep a running
thread.

BAJ

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 13:20:45 -0700, the renowned Jim Thompson
<thegreatone@example.com> wrote:

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 21:13:51 +0100, "Mjolinor" <mjolinor@hotmail.com
wrote:


"Jim Thompson" <thegreatone@example.com> wrote in message
news:dsm07092pqblsjldpk8blqvhgr8tse0rbg@4ax.com...
On 4 Apr 2004 14:30:56 -0400, byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff)
For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's? And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

...Jim Thompson

Nothing, just download MPLAB from www.microchip.com and that's all you need
until you want to prove to yourself that the output bits are actually
flashing LEDs then you need to build a programmer and blow some. Start with
PICS not Atmels (personal opinion which will probably start off some "you
don't know what your talking about" type replies).



Thanks! And GOOD, I like to see multiple viewpoints.

...Jim Thompson

Since you're used to living with simulations, that will probably work
fine.

Here is the link for MPLAB6.5 (Windows assembly development
environment). There was a corrupt file on there late last week, but
Donna M. at Microchip says it was supposed to have been fixed by
Friday afternoon.

http://www.microchip.com/1010/pline/tools/picmicro/devenv/mplabi/index.htm


If you go with your local supplier, I see two distinct paths- starting
with something minimal like the PIC12F675 (DIP-8) minimizes the volume
of documentation you need to absorb to get to first base. Whereas for
small one-off projects, you're probably better off buying a lot more
micro and avoiding having to shoe-horn things into a smaller micro.
Something like a PIC18F2320 (DIP-28). The latter has 16-bit
instructions, the former 14-bit. Maybe first one, then the other?
Those of us who have been doing this stuff since the mid-eighties
probably tend to underestimate the total amount of stuff that has to
be learned.

Some things about the 14-bit architecture (bank switching and
interrupt handling, and the read-modify-write issue*) are irritating,
and getting RAM banks wrong in assembly is a major source of beginner
problems. It's just a matter of care and logical thinking, though, so
maybe it won't be an issue for you. The 18F architecture is cleaner,
and assembly language programming is more pleasant. You can get C
compilers for various 8-bit micros, some are good, some are free, some
are unlimited. None are all 3, IMHO, although some people are starting
to make positive noises about some gcc ports. If you don't know C
already, it probably just adds another level of complexity that isn't
needed.

PIC processor Data sheet pages Reference manual pages
------------- ---------------- ----------------------
12F675 132 688
18F2320 372 976


As far as which processor is best, I don't think among 8-bit
processors there is a lot of difference for onesey-twosey
underutilized applications. I use the 8051 and it's little extinct
brother the 8048, I've written tons of code for the 68HC705/908 and
the 65C02, and I've used the Atmel AVR. The Motorola peripherals and
architecture (especially the 08 series) are nice, as is the AVR. The
8051 is an Intel dog's breakfast, but IMHO very nice for assembly
programming. The 65C02 is probably the nicest CPU I've worked with,
but it's not very commonly available. A cut-down version is in a lot
of low-end consumer goods. The PIC is easily available and there is a
lot of code out there on the net, some of which, after careful
checking end debugging, could conceivably form the basis for reliable
code, maybe. Oh, and I've used the TI MSP430 which is actually a
16-bit micro, but mostly in C. The 8051 is probably the most popular
8-bit micro with 15 or 20 manufacturers, and some cool peripherals
such as on-board 24-bit ADCs, but few of those come in
hobbyist-friendly non-SMT packages. I use the PIC too and as a factory
approved consultant (even as not), I can see good reason to recommend
it in many cases. One reason is that if you post a problem code
snippet here or in c.a.e. or a.m.8bit you will likely get help from
multiple sources.

* Instructions such as bsf PORTA,0 which is supposed to set bit 0 in
port A actually read the entire PORTA *pin levels* in, perform a
logical "OR" with 0x01 and then write the new value back to the PORTA
latches. If another pin is heavily loaded and/or if you've just
written a new value to PORTA and the clock speed is fast, you may end
up inadvertently setting *other* bits to the wrong value. The 18F
series provides a second location (LATA) for each port that reads from
the latch values rather than the pin levels and thus avoids the
problem entirely.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Jim Nagy]

In article <c4pk90$q3t@cleon.cc.gatech.edu>, Byron A Jeff
<byron@cc.gatech.edu> wrote:

->> >Jim Thompson wrote:
->> >> I can't locate the original post, but there was a request for a way to
->> >> generate a one second pulse-width, occurring once per hour. I
->> >> happened on to a similar circuit in the 74HC4040 data sheet and
->> >> modified it for the required pulse-width.
-
->> >This is just *begging* for a low end PIC
-
->> >This would take literally 5 mins to code (if that) and be very accurate.
->> >Only problem is if the OP doesn't have a programmer. If he does, heck,
->> >I'll even code it.
-

It was more than 5 minutes to code, but you may want to have a look at
our ELM381 chip. Set pins 2 and 3 low, and with a 60Hz reference you
get a 1 sec pulse out of pin 6 every hour. It is 12C508 based btw.

--
Jim Nagy
Elm Electronics

 

[Rich Grise]

I swear, as Dog is my witness, this is the very first time in lo these
55 years that I've heard of a programmable part that works with a Vpp
of +5V. Is this what "flash" is? Where is there a chart with a breakdown
of various kinds of memories?

Thanks,
Rich

"Al Borowski" <aj.borowski@erasethis.student.qut.edu.au> wrote in message
news:406fbf7b$0$16600$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Yeah, but what does the development system cost? I can't just
buy a PIC chip and plug it in, now, can I? I have to have
_some_ way of getting this hypothetical 5-minute program into
the chip, right?

So, what's that going to cost?

The software is free, and you can make your own programmer very
easily... see http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/ for a simple one.

Of course, a decent programmer will cost more, but that one will do the
job.

Al




Thanks,
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

Thanks, but can you say this again, in English?

Thanks,
Rich

"Mjolinor" <mjolinor@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:usPbc.13$4h.2@newsfe5-gui.server.ntli.net...

Download MPLAB off Microchip, cost = 0
Build a Ludipipo or a JDM, cost (assuming you have no parts) $2 ish ?

Total 2$

 

[Al Borowski]

-
-Of course, a decent programmer will cost more, but that one will do the job.

Hey! ;-)

Sorry, but you have to admit a programmer from Microchip is a little
more sophiscated

I still like your programmer too though.

Al


> BAJ

 

[Al Borowski]

For this "old-timer" ANALOG dog who specializes in learning new tricks
to the point of becoming the expert many times... what do I need to
buy to learn uP's?

Generally nothing to learn them. Just download a simulator, google for
some documentation, and play around.

To actually make the traditional 'blink a LED' project (the embedded
versionof 'hello world' you need either a device to program your
microcontroller, or a microcontroller that someone else has programmed a
bootloader on to. A bootloader is just a program that lets the MCU
program itself with your code.

And what is best, Microchip, Atmel,...?

Such questions have started long flamewars

I don't mind PICs or AVRs - my favourite is the PIC18 series. If you
choose PICs, don't touch anything that doesn't begin with PIC18 to begin
with. They are much nicer to use.

PICs are extrememly simple to use. Here is some PIC code to clear memory

ClrMem ; clears memory in RAM, from 000h to 1FFh

lfsr 0,0 ;load File Select Register 0 with 0 - the start of RAM

ClrMemLoop

clrf POSTINC0 ; clear the byte pointed to by FSR0
; and automatically increment FSR0 afterwards
ifbit FSR0H, 1 ; return if its now pointing to h'200'
return ;(bit 10 of FSR0 is set)

bra ClrMemLoop ; otherwise loop again

I use the term 'ifbit' instead of btfsc, becasue I find it easier to read.

Al

...Jim Thompson

 

[Al Borowski]

Rich Grise wrote:

Thanks, but can you say this again, in English?

Thanks,
Rich

"Mjolinor" <mjolinor@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:usPbc.13$4h.2@newsfe5-gui.server.ntli.net...


Download MPLAB off Microchip, cost = 0

MPLAB is Microchip's suite of development software. It includes an
assembler + simulator.

Build a Ludipipo or a JDM, cost (assuming you have no parts) $2 ish ?

There are simple programmers, that can be built from almost no parts.

Al

Total 2$

 

[Al Borowski]

Rich Grise wrote:

I swear, as Dog is my witness, this is the very first time in lo these
55 years that I've heard of a programmable part that works with a Vpp
of +5V. Is this what "flash" is? Where is there a chart with a breakdown
of various kinds of memories?

I think the PICs include an internal charge pump for programing; I might
be mistaken though. A ton of other MCU's are programmible down to 3.3V IIRC.

Al

 

[Al Borowski]

I just got a free Atmel AVR ISP (in system programmer) valued at $50 from
circuitcellar.com along with 2ea ATTINY26 chip just for filling out their
contest forms. Awesome, eh!...now I've got to learn another assemble language.

I got one as well, I just hope I can get my project presentable before
the deadline. Uni is taking up too much time...
Gotta love these chips... I thinks it amazing that so much can be
crammed into a small black box.

Al