Re: Learning About Microcontrollers - Advice
- From: "petrus bitbyter" <pieterkraltlaatditweg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2006 21:41:27 +0200
"John" <JohnSickOfSpam@xxxxxxx> schreef in bericht
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"petrus bitbyter" <pieterkraltlaatditweg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
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"John" <JohnSickOfSpam@xxxxxxx> schreef in bericht
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Hi there,
I wanting to start learning about programming microcontrollers and have
done some preliminary research have discovered I need some advice.
I seem to have a lot of abbreviations, but am not sure which is the best
path to choose, ie should I start with PIC, dsPIC, FPGA etc. The
trouble is that there seem to a lot of "starter kits" but what or the
general pro's and cons. Can anyone point me towards a good high-level
article for beginners that would explain this stuff? I've had a good
look at Microchip.com's site but even within that can't really decide
what better for what and why?
All help greatly appreciated!
Best regards
John (UK)
John,
Main question: What do you want to achieve? Micros can be used to serve a
lot of purposes but they are devices, seldom a cause in itself. Some are
used in toys, some in satellites and a lot of them in the world between.
As for micros, I consider http://www.voti.nl/swp/
a good intro in the world of micros.
BTW FPGAs are not micros but other programmable devices. IMHO you need to
have quite some understanding of digital design to use them.
petrus bitbyter
Hi Petrus,
Sorry, objective is really basic "home control" (ie lights switching,
maybe some environmental control such as temperature sensing etc. and
perhaps some remote control over the Internet), but also for general
interest. I think I'll leave launching satellites for week two!
Thanks very much for the link, which I've had a very quick scan through,
particularly the "are you sure" part. In many ways I would prefer to go
down the plug together modules (such as www.phidgets.com) although this
appears to increase the cost and you end up with a solution that's either
over spec'd or doesn't quite achieve what you want. I am reasonably
useful in VB.NET and so thought that a bit of C programming wouldn't be
that much of a leap, although as your article points out, the post
flicking LEDs on and off becomes more intensive.
So what do you think are there other modular systems you'd recommend or
something like "PICkit 2 Development Programmer"
(http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en023805)
be a better option?
Thanks again.
Best regards
John
John,
I fully agree about these phidgets.
As for the PICkit 2, I consider it a nice starter kit. But you need to
realise it's only one third of your needs. You'll need at least some basic
knowledge of electronics and you'll have to learn C- or assembly programming
combined with an understanding of the architecture of the device you want to
use. Part of these knowlege will be included in the lessons Microchip
provides with the kit. I heard about a BASIC compiler but never saw it. Be
aware that interfacing with the mains comes with is own challenges and
risks.
petrus bitbyter
.
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