BS2 vs SX chip in MASS Production

hmlittle59

Hello to All, I hope this is the correct spot for this question???

I'm on my 3rd spin of a Board (ExpressPCB) that I hope could make me MILLIONS or at lease Hundreds of dollars. If Millions is the case then would the SX chip be a better mass production part(Cost in all) verses the BS2 life span. I've only been working with the BOE for a year now and to me some of you on this forum seem to favor one over the other. I'm currently using the completed BS2 on my boards but I have received the SMT component to reduce cost for my next board (spin 4). I've done a whole lots on my own and help from YA'll , but it's some fine details and PIT falls that I don't know about and want to avoid.

PLEASE any advice from those that have been down this path.
I have a max. of 16bytes free and have the BS2e for the upgrade version.

1) Yes the BS2 version is doing the job but is the SX version better?
2) Is the SX OEM chip count easier to work with?
3) I've learned DIPtrace PCB software but have not had a board made from it yet or know from whom to get it from.

Anyone with OEM production experience with BS2 or SX please help

PS: I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH...BUT STILL KNOW SO LITTLE
hmlittle59

sylvie369

Better for what?

If the BS2 does the job, then the SX isn't going to do it any better, other than being 2.5x as fast, at a cost of drawing far more current.

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Edit: Oops - I read this as referring to the BS2 SX, not the SX chip. The reference to OEM· made me think he was talking about the BS2 OEM kits. Just ignore me.

Post Edited (sylvie369) : 6/30/2008 10:19:47 AM GMT

Mike Green

"Better" depends on what you want to do. Some considerations:
1) The SX doesn't need an external EEPROM to store the program. That's one less part.
2) The SX can run at any speed that makes sense for the application. At lower speeds it draws less current.
3) The SX can be run at lower voltages than the Stamps. That can save on power.
4) The SX/B compiler takes a similar Basic to that of the Stamps, but it isn't identical. It takes some work to do the conversion. If you're tight on room, your program may be tight on the SX as well and you'll need to convert more of it to tight assembly language which also takes some work.

Tracy Allen

A big issue for me is flexibility. The Stamp 2pe and the data logger I make from it are a stable "platform" that can be re-purposed using standard PBASIC and its wealth of accumulated materials and methods available for Stamps. On the other hand, for products that will forever be dedicated to one task, I would say that the SX is a great choice, especially when you have the PBASIC code already and can make the transition. Another advantage of the SX is that you can weave in machine code to handle certain tasks, tasks that might take special clever workarounds or support hardware with the Stamp alone.

You can purchase OEM Stamps in larger quantities at a very fair price, and the eeprom itself is around a buck. Of course, you have to decide how sensitive your market will be to price, and whether you need the flexibility and want to hassle with the transition. If it makes sense, I'd choose the BS2pe over the BS2e, because of the availability of the STORE command if nothing else. Try a little multi-slot programming before you make your decision.

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Tracy Allen
www.emesystems.com

hmlittle59

Hello All, I'm Back...had to go and do some In-Law time and plus....they cooked.

Any way, read/printed out all your reply s, thanks allot. I'm thinking that I will only need around 300 to 500 bytes for the up-grades...(fingers crossed). The code runs fast enough so no need for Assembly(I only know Commodore 64 any way). I got a lot more gray hairs making this code fit, I'm really trying to avoid learning SX/B unless its leaps above PBASIC. I need to start learning how to program in slots but I'm falling behind reschedule, so I'll be doing some catch up this week.

1)I'll check out the BS2pe
2)for now try to avoid the SX
3)Current draw should not be a problem...for now anyway

thanks again(Tracy,Mike,and Sylvie369) for the very quick reply.

hmlittle59