Embedded processors for DIY projects ?

[Aaron J. Grier]

On Tue, Oct 31, 2000 at 11:00:03PM +0100, Michael Buchstaller wrote:

> Then, last year a friend workong at Future Electronics told me that
> Motorola would be the #1 in microcontrollers, and that for simple 8
> bit processors the 86HC11 would be THE solution to me. So i got the
> HC11 welcome kit, and fiddled around with it for some time. It was
> nice, but then i realized that the 1 KB EEPROM was not enough for me,
> and the 2 KB versions are no longer produces - Bah !

MC68HC811E2 is still listed as active part in 3rd quarter selection
manual.  2K EEPROM.  just dig around at http://www.mot-sps.com/ and
you'll find it.

you could always add external EEPROM, too.

> - Availability of an (affordable) in-circuit single step debugging
>   tool so i can plug a cable into my current project at the bench and
>   measure in/out lines with the scope while tracing instructions
>   through the code

any in-system programmable chip will give you ability to upload a
monitor of some kind.

> - Availability of versions with 8 or 16 bits DAC´s and ADC´s
> - EEPROM programming memory to shorten development cycles, in sizes
>   from 2 KB to (say) 8 KB, larger sizes a plus

I assume in-system programmable flash would be OK, too?

> - RAM 64 to 512 Bytes
> - The development system should not cost an arm and a leg. I am
>   looking for a starter kit in the price range of $300 max.
> - a C compiler would be nice (included in the IDE, not some external
>   cross-compiler)

the good IDEs should be able support external cross-compilers with a
minimum of fuss.

> As far as i have seen, there are only AVR´s and PIC´s that would match
> my criteria (ninus the C language) All other ones seem to have the old
> problems of being hard to get.

AVR is supported by a few different C compilers, including a few free
ones.  (GNU gcc/binutils and sdcc immediately come to mind.  68HC11/12
are also supported by gcc/binutils.)

> Another issue would be the availability of these MCU´s in DIP cases,
> so i do not need to use an expensive and fiddly PLCC socket. (i do not
> have SMD soldering equipment)

AVR comes in various dip packages from 8 to 40 pin.  MC68HC811E2
mentioned previously is available in 48pin dip.

> Often i wonder why the decent development environments are so
> extremely costly.  Are the manufacturers not interested in getting new
> customers for their MCU´s ?  I mean, for TI, AD or Motorola DSP´s, you
> often get evaluation boards and kits for free...

hmm... I know people get chip samples occationally, but never heard of
people getting full evaluation kits for free.

atmel AVR developer kit is USD $50.  I believe an assembler is included.

-- 
  Aaron J. Grier | "Not your ordinary poofy goof." | agrier at poofygoof.com
    "[N]ow would be a great time for record companies to start releasing
       everything on vinyl."  --  David Wolf, regarding mp3 pirating