[sdiy] Need general advice for a uP

[Thomas Laskowski]

I've been working with the Cygnal c8051f2xx series of micro's a bit.
They're probably not DIY material because I dont think they come in a dip
package, but they can be a good experimentation platform.

They have a kit for around 100 dollars that comes with everything to get
started.  It comes with an evaluation version of the Keil c compiler
(www.keil.com) that limits the code size to 4k, but otherwise it's a fully
functional compiler.

Now the things I like about this micro:

1)  JTAG interface
    It's a special 4 wire interface that allows for in system programming,
and debugging.  You can halt the micro at any point, and view the contents
of it's registers, ports, ram, flash, and so on!
This is great for debugging.

2) loads of ram, i think the basic f200 series has at least 256 bytes of
ram, the more expensive versions come with more than 1200 bytes.

3) Built in AD multiplexed to all IO pins (so you can have 32 channel of
a/d), UART, Internal oscillator (probably not very accurate, but
enough for
some purposes), oh and in software flash reprogrammibility, great for
implementing firmware updates though the UART.

Again, I dont know about DIY usability, but the eval board brings out all
the pins, so its possible to build something with that.

----------------
Thomas Laskowski
tlaskows at uwaterloo.ca
web:   http://www.math.student.uwaterloo.ca/~tlaskows
music: http://www.mp3.com/asymptote   

On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, The Old Crow wrote:

> 
> On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Glen wrote:
> 
> > I currently have the desire to play with some simple uP designs, but I'm
> > not sure which devices would be the best for the types of things I'd like
> > to do. I'd like to eventually build some things like MIDI -> CV convertors,
> > a custom Poly-Synth, MIDI "knob boxes", and similar musical devices that
> > need some sort of brain inside them.
> >
> > Does anyone have any suggestions for a "hobbyist friendly" uP? I need
> > something fairly simple to implement, easy to find and purchase in
> > single-unit quantities, inexpensive, etc. Also, I need something in a
> > through-hole package, instead of surface mount. Also, should I be looking
> > at PIC's?
> >
> > Are EPROMS totally out of style now? Is there something easier to program,
> > which doesn't need an expensive device programmer?
> 
>   PIC16F87x series, a device programmer and one of the C compilers--all
> you'll ever need.  It is a flash part, but has everything you could want.
> Several kinds of serial hardware, timers, PWM registers, multiple channel
> A/D, flashrom program and data areas, etc.  Get a Newfound Electronics
> "Warp"-series programmer for like $100.
> 
> C compiler:
> 
> http://www.ccsinfo.com/picc.shtml
> 
> Device programmer:
> 
> http://www.new-elect.com/products.htm
> 
>   There are a number of DIY programmers out there, too.  For the money,
> though, the CCS C compiler and Newfound/Warp programmer are well worth the
> money, and cheap! compared to stuff I had to buy to work on Z8 circuits in
> CP/M days of 1982.
> 
> Crow
> 
> /**/
>