Homebrew PCBs

Don't know if it's been posted here, but here is a link for a toaster
oven and Atmel AVR homebrew controller:  

http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2004/DA3788.html

Regards,
Ted

On Sat, 27 May 2006 20:06:25 +0200, kilocycles <kilocycles@...>  
wrote:

> Don't know if it's been posted here, but here is a link for a toaster
> oven and Atmel AVR homebrew controller:
> http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2004/DA3788.html
> Regards,
> Ted


I'd like a similar oven, but the controller would need to have a  
temperature display. Also, i still believe a mechanical carriage would be  
better to achieve a good profile (sliding the PCB in from the side). The  
need to cure direct printed ink will push this SMD soldering oven project  
right up on the list of things to do.

I'd be glad to have a fully working PID software for the atmega8, though i  
will use a thermocouple instead of the thermistor. Maybe i can use part of  
that project.

Anyway, i'm not feeling brave enough to face off that microcontroller  
right now, maybe next saturday, at noon ;-)
Maybe i decide to build it analog in the end to avoid all problems....

ST

I don't have any real experience with designing using microcontrollers 
but it looks like there is a pair serial data pins open on the 
processor.  Perhaps a serial LCD and an addition to the code would work?

Another option might be to just use that projects as the inspiration for 
a PIC controlled version. I know you can drive a HD44780 LCD directly 
from a PIC.  I would think you could drive a serial LCD module as well 
though I haven't specifically looked into that since I've only tinkered 
with the HD44780 so far.


Stefan Trethan wrote:

>On Sat, 27 May 2006 20:06:25 +0200, kilocycles <kilocycles@...>  
>wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Don't know if it's been posted here, but here is a link for a toaster
>>oven and Atmel AVR homebrew controller:
>>http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2004/DA3788.html
>>Regards,
>>Ted
>>    
>>
>
>
>I'd like a similar oven, but the controller would need to have a  
>temperature display. Also, i still believe a mechanical carriage would be  
>better to achieve a good profile (sliding the PCB in from the side). The  
>need to cure direct printed ink will push this SMD soldering oven project  
>right up on the list of things to do.
>
>I'd be glad to have a fully working PID software for the atmega8, though i  
>will use a thermocouple instead of the thermistor. Maybe i can use part of  
>that project.
>
>Anyway, i'm not feeling brave enough to face off that microcontroller  
>right now, maybe next saturday, at noon ;-)
>Maybe i decide to build it analog in the end to avoid all problems....
>
>ST
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
>If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/ 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>  
>

-- 



<www.kilroysprojects.net>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de William Kroyer
> Envoyé : mai 27 2006 22:56
> À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Objet : Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Homebrew Low Cost Reflow 
> Soldering Oven & Controller
> 
> 
> I don't have any real experience with designing using 
> microcontrollers 
> but it looks like there is a pair serial data pins open on the 
> processor.  Perhaps a serial LCD and an addition to the code 
> would work?
> 
> Another option might be to just use that projects as the 
> inspiration for 
> a PIC controlled version. I know you can drive a HD44780 LCD directly 
> from a PIC.  I would think you could drive a serial LCD 
> module as well 
> though I haven't specifically looked into that since I've 
> only tinkered 
> with the HD44780 so far.
> 


Driving a HD44780 is as simple as it gets on a PIC, LCDOUT some text and
that's it.

Serial LCDs, now you're getting into some heavy stuff.  You can do it, but
it's not a walk in the park like a parallel HD44780.  There are several
controllers out there, figuring out the required code is not easy for a
novice.  If you're lucky, someone out there already has posted what you
need.

Some LCDs have a built-in font, some do not, some have lousy documentation,
some don't even have a controller.  Here are just a few controllers to give
you an idea of the variety, and I'm sure there's tons more:

Epson S1D15G00
Epson S1D13700
Epson sed1330
Epson sed1520
Epson sed1565
Hitachi hd66712u
Novatek nt3881d22
Samsung ks0066u
Samsung ks0108b
Sanyo lc7981
Sitronix ST7066-0A
Sunplus lc780a1v15
Toshiba T6963C
Toshiba T7932

If I had to recommend one as a starting point, the Toshiba T6963C.  It may
not be the best, but it is flexible and there are several examples of PIC
BASIC Pro code out there (assuming you are using PBP).  Also, controllers
have hardware limitations; the T6963C cannot drive a 320x240 pixel LCD.  And
that's another thing, pay attention to what controller you will be using.  I
had to learn several before I ended up where I am, lots of frustration and
wasted time.

Good luck, and Google is your fiend; just search for the controller name and
PIC BASIC.

Robert
:)

Yeah I used an HD44780 display in an MP3 player project for my van 
recently just because
of how simple it was to interface with.  The only reason I suggested 
maybe a serial LCD for
this project is because the microprocessor appears to have a serial port 
open and probably
wouldn't require a massive change to the schematic since the real 
changes would be in the
code.

  I guess it comes down to whether one is more comfortable reworking the 
circuit or
the programming.  But if serial LCDs are that much of a pain starting 
from scratch using
this project for inspiration might be the better way to incorperate an 
LCD.  Either way
I'd love to see someone do something like this with an LCD readout. 


Robert Hedan wrote:

>>-----Message d'origine-----
>>De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
>>[mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De la part de William Kroyer
>>Envoy� : mai 27 2006 22:56
>>� : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>>Objet : Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Homebrew Low Cost Reflow 
>>Soldering Oven & Controller
>>
>>
>>I don't have any real experience with designing using 
>>microcontrollers 
>>but it looks like there is a pair serial data pins open on the 
>>processor.  Perhaps a serial LCD and an addition to the code 
>>would work?
>>
>>Another option might be to just use that projects as the 
>>inspiration for 
>>a PIC controlled version. I know you can drive a HD44780 LCD directly 
>>from a PIC.  I would think you could drive a serial LCD 
>>module as well 
>>though I haven't specifically looked into that since I've 
>>only tinkered 
>>with the HD44780 so far.
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>Driving a HD44780 is as simple as it gets on a PIC, LCDOUT some text and
>that's it.
>
>Serial LCDs, now you're getting into some heavy stuff.  You can do it, but
>it's not a walk in the park like a parallel HD44780.  There are several
>controllers out there, figuring out the required code is not easy for a
>novice.  If you're lucky, someone out there already has posted what you
>need.
>
>Some LCDs have a built-in font, some do not, some have lousy documentation,
>some don't even have a controller.  Here are just a few controllers to give
>you an idea of the variety, and I'm sure there's tons more:
>
>Epson S1D15G00
>Epson S1D13700
>Epson sed1330
>Epson sed1520
>Epson sed1565
>Hitachi hd66712u
>Novatek nt3881d22
>Samsung ks0066u
>Samsung ks0108b
>Sanyo lc7981
>Sitronix ST7066-0A
>Sunplus lc780a1v15
>Toshiba T6963C
>Toshiba T7932
>
>If I had to recommend one as a starting point, the Toshiba T6963C.  It may
>not be the best, but it is flexible and there are several examples of PIC
>BASIC Pro code out there (assuming you are using PBP).  Also, controllers
>have hardware limitations; the T6963C cannot drive a 320x240 pixel LCD.  And
>that's another thing, pay attention to what controller you will be using.  I
>had to learn several before I ended up where I am, lots of frustration and
>wasted time.
>
>Good luck, and Google is your fiend; just search for the controller name and
>PIC BASIC.
>
>Robert
>:)
>
>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
>If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/ 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  
>

-- 



<www.kilroysprojects.net>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sun, 28 May 2006 04:55:38 +0200, William Kroyer  
<william.kroyer@kilroysprojects.net> wrote:

> I don't have any real experience with designing using microcontrollers
> but it looks like there is a pair serial data pins open on the
> processor.  Perhaps a serial LCD and an addition to the code would work?
> Another option might be to just use that projects as the inspiration for
> a PIC controlled version. I know you can drive a HD44780 LCD directly
> from a PIC.  I would think you could drive a serial LCD module as well
> though I haven't specifically looked into that since I've only tinkered
> with the HD44780 so far.


I'd much prefer a parallel LCD. Even i could add that in about 5 minutes  
since i already have code for it.
Actually the display was the first thing working with my atmel, most of  
the time, anyway.

But the thing is, i bought a handful of 24x2 displays at a surplus sale  
for 2eur each, but they have no backlight. I don't like LCDs without  
backlight. But i don't like buying parts when i have suitable ones at hand  
either...

ST

A parallel display can take up too many pins for the application. 
Most serial display are much more expensive.

A good compromise is to use the PH Anderail serial driver kit for 
LCD's. These kits start at $5 and included a dedicated PIC acting as 
a serial to parallel LCD controller.

The PIC takes care of all the overhead and  has a built in command 
structure for display commands and works great!

These guys http://www.wulfden.org/k107/index.shtml  have just 
introduced a pcb to go along with PH Anderson's kit. It worth taking 
a look at.

Myc



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> On Sun, 28 May 2006 04:55:38 +0200, William Kroyer  
> <william.kroyer@...> wrote:
> 
> > I don't have any real experience with designing using 
microcontrollers
> > but it looks like there is a pair serial data pins open on the
> > processor.  Perhaps a serial LCD and an addition to the code 
would work?
> > Another option might be to just use that projects as the 
inspiration for
> > a PIC controlled version. I know you can drive a HD44780 LCD 
directly
> > from a PIC.  I would think you could drive a serial LCD module 
as well
> > though I haven't specifically looked into that since I've only 
tinkered
> > with the HD44780 so far.
> 
> 
> I'd much prefer a parallel LCD. Even i could add that in about 5 
minutes  
> since i already have code for it.
> Actually the display was the first thing working with my atmel, 
most of  
> the time, anyway.
> 
> But the thing is, i bought a handful of 24x2 displays at a surplus 
sale  
> for 2eur each, but they have no backlight. I don't like LCDs 
without  
> backlight. But i don't like buying parts when i have suitable ones 
at hand  

> either...
> 
> ST
>

On Sun, 28 May 2006 15:32:20 +0200, mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...>  
wrote:

> A parallel display can take up too many pins for the application.
> Most serial display are much more expensive.
> A good compromise is to use the PH Anderail serial driver kit for
> LCD's. These kits start at $5 and included a dedicated PIC acting as
> a serial to parallel LCD controller.
> The PIC takes care of all the overhead and  has a built in command
> structure for display commands and works great!
> These guys http://www.wulfden.org/k107/index.shtml  have just
> introduced a pcb to go along with PH Anderson's kit. It worth taking
> a look at.
> Myc


I'd prefer not to use another micro, if i really had to it would be an  
atmel so is it compatible with the rest.

There's also a schematic out there showing how one can use an attiny or  
someting with very few (like 2 or 3) outputs to drive a hd... parallel  
LCD. I think they used a simple shift register.

Anyway, not sure, i guess i would even prefer LED display here...

Probably easier for me to just use a standard led panelmeter circuit  
(should have some of those around) and do the rest of the control analog  
as well.


ST

To each his own....

The fact that Anderson used a PIC chip is irrelevant.
You just send it a serial text command and it does the
rest. Just like any ther serial LCD dispaly.

Myc

--- Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...> wrote:

> On Sun, 28 May 2006 15:32:20 +0200, mycroft2152
> <mycroft2152@...>  
> wrote:
> 
> > A parallel display can take up too many pins for
> the application.
> > Most serial display are much more expensive.
> > A good compromise is to use the PH Anderail serial
> driver kit for
> > LCD's. These kits start at $5 and included a
> dedicated PIC acting as
> > a serial to parallel LCD controller.
> > The PIC takes care of all the overhead and  has a
> built in command
> > structure for display commands and works great!
> > These guys http://www.wulfden.org/k107/index.shtml
>  have just
> > introduced a pcb to go along with PH Anderson's
> kit. It worth taking
> > a look at.
> > Myc
> 
> 
> I'd prefer not to use another micro, if i really had
> to it would be an  
> atmel so is it compatible with the rest.
> 
> There's also a schematic out there showing how one
> can use an attiny or  
> someting with very few (like 2 or 3) outputs to
> drive a hd... parallel  
> LCD. I think they used a simple shift register.
> 
> Anyway, not sure, i guess i would even prefer LED
> display here...
> 
> Probably easier for me to just use a standard led
> panelmeter circuit  
> (should have some of those around) and do the rest
> of the control analog  
> as well.
> 
> 
> ST
> 
> 
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> 
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> them here:
>
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On Sun, 28 May 2006 15:56:25 +0200, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...>  
wrote:

> To each his own....
> The fact that Anderson used a PIC chip is irrelevant.
> You just send it a serial text command and it does the
> rest. Just like any ther serial LCD dispaly.
> Myc


Yes, but i'm afraid i will take longer to get the serial comms working  
than anything else ;-)
It would probably be easier for me to go with the next larger micro to get  
those additional pins for parallel mode.

The idea of serial displays is a good one. Data volume is low, IO pins are  
expensive and brains inside the micro is cheap, so it is obvious to go  
serial. Having a converter might well be the most cost effective way since  
the parallel displays are still so widely available.

ST

Stefan, Myc et al,
The source page from which I found the link to the
Atmel-AVR-controlled oven did have information, and code, for using
various types of Atmel microcontrollers with HD44780 parallel LCDs. 
I'm more familiar with PICs, myself, and that means I've only
toner-transferred the PCBs for the programmers and dumped hex code
into the via the parallel port.

I am working on an Atmel programmer for the AT90S2313, simply because
I bought a bunch of them on eBay to make an LCF meter that reads out
inductance, capacitance and frequency in Morse code, rather than the
ubiquitous similar ones using PICs that display on LCDs. They are
cheap, and I intend to give away the programmed chips and PCBs (the
other components are fairly trivial) at our local low-power ham radio
club meeting soon.

Unfortunately, I'm at the wrong computer, and I don't have the link to
the forum on this one.  It was not avrfreaks.net, though.  I'll find
it and re-post it.  They had a lot of interesting hardware projects on
that forum.

Regards,
Ted

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan"
<stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> On Sun, 28 May 2006 15:56:25 +0200, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...>  
> wrote:
> 
> > To each his own....
> > The fact that Anderson used a PIC chip is irrelevant.
> > You just send it a serial text command and it does the
> > rest. Just like any ther serial LCD dispaly.
> > Myc
> 
> 
> Yes, but i'm afraid i will take longer to get the serial comms working  
> than anything else ;-)
> It would probably be easier for me to go with the next larger micro
to get  
> those additional pins for parallel mode.
> 
> The idea of serial displays is a good one. Data volume is low, IO
pins are  
> expensive and brains inside the micro is cheap, so it is obvious to go  
> serial. Having a converter might well be the most cost effective way
since  
> the parallel displays are still so widely available.
> 
> ST
---snip---