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Thread

What MicroController??

2002-08-07 by BrianJHoskins

Hi all! I'm new to this group so first of all, pleased to meet you all :)


I'd appreciate a little advice on MicroController choice, but I'll just
give a short backround on myself first so you know where I stand.

I'm currently studying for an HND in Electronics, and I already have a
number of Electronics qualifications behind me so while I don't pretend to
be an expert on the subject (still have LOADS to learn) I do know a fair
bit, and I know enough such that learning knew stuff is simply a matter of
building on what I already know.  As far as Microprocessors go, I started
experimenting with them using the 6502 some time ago.  Having touched on
Assembly programming techniques with that, I moved on to the Z80 - and I
studied that in quite a bit more detail.  At the moment I've only really
learnt the theory behind MicroProcessor design and experiemnted with a few
of my own programs, so I've yet to gain the experience of designing and
building a complete system to solve a real application.

I have actually just started out on my 1st REAL MicroProcessor based
project - a MicroProcessor controlled coin meter to solve a problem for
the company I work for (I dont actually work in Electronics design though,
I do it as a hobby) and I haven't yet chosen a MicroController to develop
this project with.  I've always loved the 68000 series as a processor, and
I've already begun studying assembly programming techniques for it so that
I can develop real applications with it.  With that in mind, I'd really
like to base my first real MicroProcessor controlled project around the
68K series of MicroControllers.

Most people that I've spoken to so far have recommended the PIC, and I'm
certainly not ruling that suggestion out yet, but I really would like to
use the 68000 series if I can, because it would provide a learning
exercise that I'm interested in aswel, which would give extra motivation.
I've allowed myself 2-years development time for this project (because
it's going to be a learning curve) so I do feel that there's plenty of
time for me to get to grips with the processor properly.

As far as 68K based MicroControllers go though, I'm a little in the dark.
I've never played with them before and as a result I have no idea which
one to choose for developing my project with.  If anyone could offer any
good advice with regards to 68K based MicroControllers I'd be very
greatful, and I don't mind looking the information up myself at all so if
you know good links then please share them!  If you need to know more
about my project in order to offer the best advice just let me know and
I'll tell you all about it.  The thing is I don't really want to use a
controller that is way too powerful for my needs, or end up using one that
is underpowered or limited in some way, and also I'm going to need to
consider prices aren't I. So lots to do!!!

Any general advice would be most appreciated :) Thanks in advance.







----
Brian Hoskins
South Wales, UK

Email: BrianJHoskins@...
----

RE: [68300] What MicroController??

2002-08-07 by Melear Charles-rdph40

Brian,
 
Go the http://www.motorola.com <http://www.motorola.com> 
 
Then, select "semiconductors"
 
Then, search for "MC68331" and "MC68HC11"
 
Somewhere there will be a product selector guide.  I don't know how much processing power you need.  The MC68300 family have several derivatives, the 68331, 68332, 68336, 68376 and 68375.  The MC68331 looks much like a 68HC11 with a CPU32 instruction set.  The MC68300 parts all run at 35 MHz except the 68375 which runs faster  (33 MHz bus, I think).
 
The 68hc11 is an old 8-bit work horse that runs at 4 MHz and has been used for years.  
 
Let me know if I can help you further.
 
Charlie

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-----Original Message-----
From: BrianJHoskins [mailto:BrianJHoskins@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 3:54 PM
To: 68300@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [68300] What MicroController??

Hi all! I'm new to this group so first of all, pleased to meet you all :)

I'd appreciate a little advice on MicroController choice, but I'll just
give a short backround on myself first so you know where I stand.

I'm currently studying for an HND in Electronics, and I already have a
number of Electronics qualifications behind me so while I don't pretend to
be an expert on the subject (still have LOADS to learn) I do know a fair
bit, and I know enough such that learning knew stuff is simply a matter of
building on what I already know.  As far as Microprocessors go, I started
experimenting with them using the 6502 some time ago.  Having touched on
Assembly programming techniques with that, I moved on to the Z80 - and I
studied that in quite a bit more detail.  At the moment I've only really
learnt the theory behind MicroProcessor design and experiemnted with a few
of my own programs, so I've yet to gain the experience of designing and
building a complete system to solve a real application.

I have actually just started out on my 1st REAL MicroProcessor based
project - a MicroProcessor controlled coin meter to solve a problem for
the company I work for (I dont actually work in Electronics design though,
I do it as a hobby) and I haven't yet chosen a MicroController to develop
this project with.  I've always loved the 68000 series as a processor, and
I've already begun studying assembly programming techniques for it so that
I can develop real applications with it.  With that in mind, I'd really
like to base my first real MicroProcessor controlled project around the
68K series of MicroControllers.

Most people that I've spoken to so far have recommended the PIC, and I'm
certainly not ruling that suggestion out yet, but I really would like to
use the 68000 series if I can, because it would provide a learning
exercise that I'm interested in aswel, which would give extra motivation.
I've allowed myself 2-years development time for this project (because
it's going to be a learning curve) so I do feel that there's plenty of
time for me to get to grips with the processor properly.

As far as 68K based MicroControllers go though, I'm a little in the dark.
I've never played with them before and as a result I have no idea which
one to choose for developing my project with.  If anyone could offer any
good advice with regards to 68K based MicroControllers I'd be very
greatful, and I don't mind looking the information up myself at all so if
you know good links then please share them!  If you need to know more
about my project in order to offer the best advice just let me know and
I'll tell you all about it.  The thing is I don't really want to use a
controller that is way too powerful for my needs, or end up using one that
is underpowered or limited in some way, and also I'm going to need to
consider prices aren't I. So lots to do!!!

Any general advice would be most appreciated :) Thanks in advance.

----
Brian Hoskins
South Wales, UK

Email: BrianJHoskins@...
----

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RE: [68300] What Micro Controller??

2002-08-09 by Dr. Martin J. Burns

Brian,

Here is some food for thought. I assume that you would like to spend most of
your time in application development, as opposed to hardware design. For
this reason you should consider an embedded micro controller with RAM and
FLASH based program space internal to the micro controller.

Further, the first thing to shop for is your development tools. I would
suggest a micro that supports a BDM debug interface. Look for C / C++
compiler next. All important is the debugging and download environment.
After you've chosen the tools, select the micro controller. You can waste a
lot of time if you pick the ideal chip first and then find non-optimal tools
to work with it.

There are many good Motorola parts that meet these criterion. Follow this
guidance and you will spend most of your time developing and not starting
the project.

FWIW,
Marty

Show quoted textHide quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: BrianJHoskins [mailto:BrianJHoskins@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 4:54 PM
To: 68300@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [68300] What MicroController??

Hi all! I'm new to this group so first of all, pleased to meet you all :)

I'd appreciate a little advice on MicroController choice, but I'll just
give a short backround on myself first so you know where I stand.

I'm currently studying for an HND in Electronics, and I already have a
number of Electronics qualifications behind me so while I don't pretend to
be an expert on the subject (still have LOADS to learn) I do know a fair
bit, and I know enough such that learning knew stuff is simply a matter of
building on what I already know.  As far as Microprocessors go, I started
experimenting with them using the 6502 some time ago.  Having touched on
Assembly programming techniques with that, I moved on to the Z80 - and I
studied that in quite a bit more detail.  At the moment I've only really
learnt the theory behind MicroProcessor design and experiemnted with a few
of my own programs, so I've yet to gain the experience of designing and
building a complete system to solve a real application.

I have actually just started out on my 1st REAL MicroProcessor based
project - a MicroProcessor controlled coin meter to solve a problem for
the company I work for (I dont actually work in Electronics design though,
I do it as a hobby) and I haven't yet chosen a MicroController to develop
this project with.  I've always loved the 68000 series as a processor, and
I've already begun studying assembly programming techniques for it so that
I can develop real applications with it.  With that in mind, I'd really
like to base my first real MicroProcessor controlled project around the
68K series of MicroControllers.

Most people that I've spoken to so far have recommended the PIC, and I'm
certainly not ruling that suggestion out yet, but I really would like to
use the 68000 series if I can, because it would provide a learning
exercise that I'm interested in aswel, which would give extra motivation.
I've allowed myself 2-years development time for this project (because
it's going to be a learning curve) so I do feel that there's plenty of
time for me to get to grips with the processor properly.

As far as 68K based MicroControllers go though, I'm a little in the dark.
I've never played with them before and as a result I have no idea which
one to choose for developing my project with.  If anyone could offer any
good advice with regards to 68K based MicroControllers I'd be very
greatful, and I don't mind looking the information up myself at all so if
you know good links then please share them!  If you need to know more
about my project in order to offer the best advice just let me know and
I'll tell you all about it.  The thing is I don't really want to use a
controller that is way too powerful for my needs, or end up using one that
is underpowered or limited in some way, and also I'm going to need to
consider prices aren't I. So lots to do!!!

Any general advice would be most appreciated :) Thanks in advance.

----
Brian Hoskins
South Wales, UK

Email: BrianJHoskins@...
----

---------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
68300-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

To learn more about Motorola Microcontrollers, please visit
http://www.motorola.com/mcu

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Re: [68300] What MicroController??

2002-08-09 by Kurt Mohler

Brian--
   Heed Marty's advice.  Look at development tools.  It will save you much
grief.
   What kind of budget do you have for tools?  Do you have more time than
money?  Do you mind playing with a gcc to get it working, or do you want a
load and run type environment?
  You mentioned a coin meter.  If you let us know a little more about the
requirements, maybe some of the list members could help guide you toward a
particular processor.  It sounds like a 68k might be overkill, and maybe an
'11 or an '08 would be a better fit.  Depending on your prototyping
capabilities, a lower pin count package might make a self built board a
whole lot easier to work with.
   I like the PE Micro stuff, but that is a purely subjective opinion, and I
am sure other people have their own preferences.  Check a catalog (Newark,
maybe?) or cruise the web if you want to get an idea how much the
development kits cost.
  Good luck,
Kurt


----- Original Message -----

Show quoted textHide quoted text

From: "BrianJHoskins" <BrianJHoskins@...>
To: <68300@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 3:54 PM
Subject: [68300] What MicroController??


> Hi all! I'm new to this group so first of all, pleased to meet you all :)
>
>
> I'd appreciate a little advice on MicroController choice, but I'll just
> give a short backround on myself first so you know where I stand.
>
> I'm currently studying for an HND in Electronics, and I already have a
> number of Electronics qualifications behind me so while I don't pretend to
> be an expert on the subject (still have LOADS to learn) I do know a fair
> bit, and I know enough such that learning knew stuff is simply a matter of
> building on what I already know.  As far as Microprocessors go, I started
> experimenting with them using the 6502 some time ago.  Having touched on
> Assembly programming techniques with that, I moved on to the Z80 - and I
> studied that in quite a bit more detail.  At the moment I've only really
> learnt the theory behind MicroProcessor design and experiemnted with a few
> of my own programs, so I've yet to gain the experience of designing and
> building a complete system to solve a real application.
>
> I have actually just started out on my 1st REAL MicroProcessor based
> project - a MicroProcessor controlled coin meter to solve a problem for
> the company I work for (I dont actually work in Electronics design though,
> I do it as a hobby) and I haven't yet chosen a MicroController to develop
> this project with.  I've always loved the 68000 series as a processor, and
> I've already begun studying assembly programming techniques for it so that
> I can develop real applications with it.  With that in mind, I'd really
> like to base my first real MicroProcessor controlled project around the
> 68K series of MicroControllers.
>
> Most people that I've spoken to so far have recommended the PIC, and I'm
> certainly not ruling that suggestion out yet, but I really would like to
> use the 68000 series if I can, because it would provide a learning
> exercise that I'm interested in aswel, which would give extra motivation.
> I've allowed myself 2-years development time for this project (because
> it's going to be a learning curve) so I do feel that there's plenty of
> time for me to get to grips with the processor properly.
>
> As far as 68K based MicroControllers go though, I'm a little in the dark.
> I've never played with them before and as a result I have no idea which
> one to choose for developing my project with.  If anyone could offer any
> good advice with regards to 68K based MicroControllers I'd be very
> greatful, and I don't mind looking the information up myself at all so if
> you know good links then please share them!  If you need to know more
> about my project in order to offer the best advice just let me know and
> I'll tell you all about it.  The thing is I don't really want to use a
> controller that is way too powerful for my needs, or end up using one that
> is underpowered or limited in some way, and also I'm going to need to
> consider prices aren't I. So lots to do!!!
>
> Any general advice would be most appreciated :) Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----
> Brian Hoskins
> South Wales, UK
>
> Email: BrianJHoskins@...
> ----
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> 68300-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> To learn more about Motorola Microcontrollers, please visit
> http://www.motorola.com/mcu
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>

Re: What MicroController??

2002-08-26 by joseluisrodgz

Brian,

  In general I agree with other posts that choosing a tool is 
important, but your email suggests to me that you are not yet 
comfortable with a C/C++ development environment, and would rather 
develop with Assembly.

  I would suggest to use a 68xx family processor, instead of 68xxx, 
because of hardware and software "learning curves" will be much 
shorter, and because a 68xxx is very likely overkill.

  If true that coin application is not overly complex (less than 4K 
of assembly), then basically any 68xx micro will do just fine 
(68HC08, 68HC11, etc).
  Once you learn to design with them, you can easily "upgrade" your 
knowledge to 68xxx processors.
  Assemblers are very inexpensive, some of them even free, but 
depending on your budget you may want to spend some money to make 
sure you get quality product and support.

  Regards,

Jose Rodriguez

Re: What MicroController??

2002-08-26 by BrianJHoskins

> Brian,
>
>   In general I agree with other posts that choosing a tool is
> important, but your email suggests to me that you are not yet
> comfortable with a C/C++ development environment, and would rather
> develop with Assembly.
>
>   I would suggest to use a 68xx family processor, instead of 68xxx,
>  because of hardware and software "learning curves" will be
> much  shorter, and because a 68xxx is very likely overkill.
>
>   If true that coin application is not overly complex (less than 4K
>  of assembly), then basically any 68xx micro will do just fine
> (68HC08, 68HC11, etc).
>   Once you learn to design with them, you can easily
> "upgrade" your  knowledge to 68xxx processors.
>   Assemblers are very inexpensive, some of them even free, but
> depending on your budget you may want to spend some money to make  sure
> you get quality product and support.
>

Thankyou very much for your advice! I'm actually developing the project
around the PIC range of MicroControllers now, partly because I picked up a
good development package and an expensive book for next to nothing on
Ebay, and partly because they are relatively inexpensive to buy.

I am still learning to develop for the 68000 range of processors though,
and yes you're right I'm learning in Assembly at the moment.  I'm learning
to write programs in C for AmigaOS at the aswel, and I believe that once
I'm much more familiar with C I can apply those skills to program
MicroControllers in C too.

My application is actually quite a bit more complicated than "just" a
coinmeter because it needs to be able to interface and communicate with a
PDA, and make available a few other complicated features.  I'm not
completely new to MicroControllers, but I AM new to the PIC - so I'm sure
it will be a VERY steep learning curve.  But I enjoy it, so that's the
main thing :)

Thanks again for your advice :)





----
Brian Hoskins
South Wales, UK

Email: BrianJHoskins@...
----