How can I use a smaller chip than the Basic Stamp to Download info on it for on

J T Engineer

I am trying to make a project where I will be using an accelerometer, but I am integrating it into a small area. So how can I download my code for the accelerometer into a "chip" sized microcontroller instead of the regualr size of the basic stamp. Is this possible? I just want the accelerometer to feed info the minature chip and the chip provides the instructions to run a little servo motor. So instead of having the Basic stamp microcontroller integrated, have a small chip designated just to run a program. Thankss

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

You can buy OEM BASIC Stamp chips from Parallax. You will still need an external EEPROM to hold your program, but your total "acreage" will be less than with a Stamp module.

-Phil

Bean

Another option would be to convert your program to work on the SX.
The SX20AC/SS (SSOP 20) is the smallest package. Or the SX28AC/DP is a 28 pin DIP.

Bean.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
www.iElectronicDesigns.com

·

J T Engineer

Thanks guys, when you say total "acreage" how small would you expect something like this to be. I would reaally need something about couple inches squared. Thanks again.

Bean

The Basic Stamp is less than 1 inch square (1.2" x 0.6" = 0.72"^2).
The SX28AC/DP is (1.4" x 0.3" = 0.42"^2)

If you post your code I could let you know how difficult it would be to convert it to work with the SX.

Bean.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
www.iElectronicDesigns.com



Post Edited (Bean (Hitt Consulting)) : 1/15/2008 7:44:20 PM GMT

Mike Green

To answer your question more directly ...

The Basic Stamp is a custom programmed PIC or SX microprocessor (with the Basic interpreter programmed into it) plus an EEPROM to hold the Basic program plus various support circuitry like a voltage regulator, crystal for timing, "brown-out" detector for reliability on power-up and in marginal power situations, and circuitry for programming. All of this is on a 24-pin DIP substrate or available as individual parts for use in an OEM Basic Stamp physical configuration. You can't "download" your program into anything else and have it work as expected.

As Bean mentioned, the SX microprocessor can function with fewer parts and in a smaller space. You still can't "download" your program into it, but there is a compiler (SX/B) that will take a slightly modified PBasic program and compile it to run on the SX processor and the compiled program can be downloaded into the SX.

icepuck

Microengineering labs has a pbasic compiler that will convert your code so you can burn it to otp(one time programable) mcu or a flash based mcu. I havn't used anything like this so I don't know if it will work, just a suggestion you may want to look into.

I think servo or nuts&volts had a project that did similar.
-dan

Mike Green

Microengineering Labs sells a Stamp1 compatible compiler for $100 and a Stamp2 compatible compiler for $250. You would also need a programmer (figure $150).

I've used their compilers. They work pretty well. Because of the support software (library routines) needed to make some of the fancier PBasic statements work, you're limited in how large a program you can fit in the PIC's memory ... don't skimp on memory size if you decide to go this route. The main reason for not mentioning these is expense. The Stamp1 Basic is fairly limited in its capabilities and you'd probably have to use the "Pro" compiler with the extra cost ... you're now talking about $400 just to get started.

LilDi

The PICAXE is an 8 pin MPU with Basic on board.

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/docs/axe001_pinout.pdf

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/


Post Edited (LilDi) : 1/16/2008 3:28:29 AM GMT