So what can a microcontroller *not* do?

P

phaeton

Guest
Or more appropriately, when is a uC not the answer?

I mean yeah, there's tons of super simple stuff in which a uC would be
overkill for today, but as prices come down and programming
environments get more 'accessible'.....

I find microcontrollers fascinating, but I haven't played with any
yet. I've done a fair bit of C programming actually, but all of it
was in a unix environment and not for a uC. I also find a great deal
of joy in putting together stuff the old fashioned way, with big and
clunky through-hole components.

I guess I'm looking for reassurance that the uCs aren't going to kill
off the old way of doing things, and that we'll all have BOTH
available for many many years to come.

thx

-ph
 
On Oct 30, 12:25 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Or more appropriately, when is a uC not the answer?

I mean yeah, there's tons of super simple stuff in which a uC would be
overkill for today, but as prices come down and programming
environments get more 'accessible'.....

I find microcontrollers fascinating, but I haven't played with any
yet. I've done a fair bit of C programming actually, but all of it
was in a unix environment and not for a uC. I also find a great deal
of joy in putting together stuff the old fashioned way, with big and
clunky through-hole components.

I guess I'm looking for reassurance that the uCs aren't going to kill
off the old way of doing things, and that we'll all have BOTH
available for many many years to come.

thx

-ph
Click to expand...
wow, sounds like we're on the exact same page... i'm hoping to improve
my skills to the point that i can repair antique radios... and,
hopefully, build one... i'm a well seasoned programmer by day, but
love all the wires and such found in electronics prior to the
introduction of the microcontroller... though, i'm fascinated with
them as well..

in summary, i have no clue what will happen :).. as a musician as
well, i can assure you that you'll find tube and other analog
electronics for quite some time...
 
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:19:16 -0700, Isaac wrote:
On Oct 30, 12:25 am, phaeton <blahbleh...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Or more appropriately, when is a uC not the answer?
....
was in a unix environment and not for a uC. I also find a great deal
of joy in putting together stuff the old fashioned way, with big and
clunky through-hole components.

I guess I'm looking for reassurance that the uCs aren't going to kill
off the old way of doing things, and that we'll all have BOTH
available for many many years to come.

wow, sounds like we're on the exact same page... i'm hoping to improve
my skills to the point that i can repair antique radios... and,
hopefully, build one... i'm a well seasoned programmer by day, but
love all the wires and such found in electronics prior to the
introduction of the microcontroller... though, i'm fascinated with
them as well..
Click to expand...
Well, as long as there's somebody left to make leaded adapters for
0201 parts... ;-)

Cheers!
Rich
 
On Oct 30, 7:07 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
phaeton wrote:
Or more appropriately, when is a uC not the answer?

Where there's complex maths involved for starters.

Graham
Click to expand...

How so?
 
phaeton wrote:

On Oct 30, 7:07 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com
wrote:
phaeton wrote:
Or more appropriately, when is a uC not the answer?

Where there's complex maths involved for starters.

Graham

How so?
Click to expand...
8 bit maths is a bit slow for one.

Graham
 
Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> writes:
8 bit maths is a bit slow for one.
Click to expand...
Hey! Did you know? They've come out with these chips that can do 16
bit maths now! I even heard a rumor of - gasp! - 32 bit maths!
 
DJ Delorie wrote:

Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> writes:
8 bit maths is a bit slow for one.

Hey! Did you know? They've come out with these chips that can do 16
bit maths now! I even heard a rumor of - gasp! - 32 bit maths!
Click to expand...
Hey, you know you can still get 4 bit uCs.

Graham
 
Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> writes:
Hey, you know you can still get 4 bit uCs.
Click to expand...
I still have my Intel 4004 reference, but what chips are available now
that are 4 bit?

And let's not start on the two-bit chips ;-)
 
"DJ Delorie" <dj@delorie.com> wrote in message
news:xnr6j75l61.fsf@delorie.com...
Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> writes:
Hey, you know you can still get 4 bit uCs.

I still have my Intel 4004 reference, but what chips are available now
that are 4 bit?

And let's not start on the two-bit chips ;-)
Click to expand...
There even is/was a one bit microprocessor. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_MC14500B

I probably have an old data book with it or a similar device (I think it
was RCA)

Also see: http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4917443-description.html

Paul
 
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