Re: Micro Progamming help-CLARIFICATION

From: Tim Wescott (tim_at_wescottnospamdesign.com)
Date: 11/15/04 

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 21:53:59 -0800

hamilton wrote:

-- snip --

> Lets say that this project is properly documented. ( so far its a good
> start, but only a start)
>
> If a reasonable engineer would accept this project, what would the costs
> be.
>
> We will ignore the cost of the parts for the moment.
>
> Lets say the total project would take, Hmmm 40 hours.
>
> At what price would be 40 hours.
> $ 5.00/hour = $200
> $10.00/hour = $400
> $12.50/hour = $500
>
Have you checked engineering salaries in the last 50 years? I think
you're off by a decimal point.

> You get the idea.
>
> If someone says they can do it 20 hours, the cost per hour would be
> higher for the better engineer. So it will still be hundreds of dollars.
>
> So, where does that leave you.
>
> You are correct that it can (should) be done with a single chip micro.
>
> Pick one !!
>
> OK, you said PIC, pick one.
>
> Study it until you think you understand how you would use this PIC for
> this project. Please ask questions here about anything you find confusing.
>
> But understand, now one is going to hand you a complete project.
>
> The two things that will need to be done is understand the hardware and
> understand the software.
>
> The discussion so far has been around the functions of the counter.
> Thats good, but thats software. The hardware discussion has been around
> long battery life and a LCD display.
>
> To help get you started, I would suggest that you use a ATMEL AVR
> Butterfly Evaluation Kit.
> http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3146
> Includes an LCD display and will run a long time on a coin cell.
> ( you can build your own package )

This is a good example of the hypothetical eval board I mentioned
earlier -- assuming the LCD is sufficient it has everything you need.
>
> Its available from Digikey for only $19.99.
> http://www.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?KeywordSearch?Mpart=ATAVRBFLY
>
>
> This is a good starting point for learning microprocessors.
>
> TI also makes evaluation kits for little money, so you can learn.
> The TI kits include an LCD display and runs of a coin cell.
> Check ti TI site for MSP430 evaluation boards.
>
> Good luck, we will help you in any way we can.
>
> hamilton 

-- 
Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com