AVR-Chat

Hi-

I would check out the Arduino family -- PD project, excellent 'C' 
development package.  Uses ATMega8 and 168.  Lots of options.  Uses a 
bootloader for painless uploads.  See: http://arduino.cc/

As you are into model railroads, then check out the LEDuino at 
http://siliconrailway.com/ -- DCC, CAN and I2C interfaces.  


Cheers,
David



--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Hackett" <egroupscdh@...> 
wrote:
>
> I have a project (Signals for a 7.5” gauge railroad) that I need 
to get up and running quickly.
> 
> I am working on the design of a custom board based on an ATMEGAxxx 
to support a wide range of functionality but I do not have time to 
layout and produce the boards (Eagle, toner transfer, etch, stuff) I 
need for a minimal system up and running in the time I have.
> 
> What I’m looking for is an inexpensive prototyping board (in the 
USA) that I can get to support my initial requirements.  I figure 
I’ll need 8-10 of them.
> 
> Initial requirements:
> 
> 1 ATMEGAxxx processor (ATMEGA168 desired, but about any AVR that 
supports the functions below would work).
> 2 JTAG support (for breakpoint debugging, loading, etc.)
> 3 At least 3 digital I/O
> 4 At least one PWM output
> 5 At least one analog input
> 6 On-board regulator
> 
> Desirable extras:
> - RS-485 I/O (or serial pins to wire a Maxim RS-485 chip to)
> - Additional digital I/O (up to 16), analog inputs (up to 3)
> - On-board drivers for the digital I/O capable of sinking 10-15 ma 
(driving 10 mm LEDs)
> - Did I mention inexpensive ☺ …
> 
> I know that there are many more parameters you need/would like to 
know but, without getting into an extended description, that’s the 
basics.
>  
> Cheers,
> 
> Chuck Hackett
> "Good judgment comes from experience, experience comes from bad 
judgment"
> 7.5" gauge Union Pacific Northern (4-8-4) 844 
http://www.whitetrout.net/Chuck
>