microcontroller programming language
microcontroller programming language
Micro controllers/Microcontrollers!!!!!!!Which one should i choose?PIC,ARM,8015,Propeller?
I’m really new to the microcontrollers, i barely know anything. I would like to use them for some of my hobby projet but i don’t know which one to choose!!! there are like millions of them out there!!! lets see PIC,ARM,8015… and so one. Ihave been doing some reasearch and i found all of the mto be prety much the same. I’m looking for a fast microcontroller with lots of inputs/outputs more that 30. I also would like to use these inputs/outputs as digital or analog. it would be nice if it could send data back to pc, throught serial/usb/com ports.
another thing, how are they programmed? What language r they most compatible with? I know c++ somewhat so that would be great.
once again i’m trying to get started with microcontrollers so any help would be apreciated.
thanks, dmitry
Two excellent and inexpensive micro controllers are:
Parallax BASIC Stamp – great for an absolute beginner both electronically and programatically. Lots of How to support and projects. Programed using a free BASIC compilier. A starter kit is about $100
ATMEL – BUTTERFLY (See amazon link) The butterfly is a creditcard sized micro controller with lots of usefull hardware attached. (LCD, temp & ligh sensor, joystick) The book is an exellent step by step how to guide to learn C++ using a free open source compilier. Book is arround $35 and Butterfly about $25 available from digikey.com
If you are handy with a soldering iron and want an intermediate level entry point. Consider an 8bit RISIC micro controller from either Atmel or MicroChip…
I personally like the Atmel hardware over the MicroChip BUT, Microchip has a larger library of application notes and available books. MicroChip also seem to have a larger hobbyist following and is used in more projects featured in “Nuts & Volts” magizine…
Atmel has a newer archetecture and a slightly cheaper development system (JTAG ICE mkII @ $80) but has a smaller technical library and fewer hobbyists. There is a forum – avrfreaks.net where you can get lots of advice from users.
Programming …
Atmel and MicroChip provide a free assembly compilier…
There are aftermarket compiliers for both BASIC and C languages these range in price from Free to thousands.
IAR systems offers a free “KickStart” edition of a C comilier limited to 4K of compilied code. The full version which includes floating point math and disassembly costs $3000
There is a low cost Basic compilier for the MicroChip PIC’s from microengineering labs.
Programming the CHIP:
So you have built the micrcontroller circuit and have some firmware written, you have to get teh compilied code into the chip. This is done by one of several ways…
1.Bootstrap programm preloaded on teh chip. Self loads a file into the chips memory. The Butterfly uses a bootstrap..
2.) Using a development kit which provides a platform to communicate with the chip using the PC and also provides some development hardware like LEDS and switches. You program the chip then transfer the chip to your circuit board
3.) In circuit Emulator – this allows you to communicate with your chip while it is in the circuit your have designed. It also allows you to troubleshoot your code easier. It allows you to single step through your code and use your circuit to provide inputs to the chip as you run through your code.
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