Propeller Questions
Hi all:
I have had the BASIC Stamp for a little while and would like to·solder it into my own projects. But because of the expence of the Bs2 don't really want too. I am looking for a cheaper programmable IC such as the Propeller or maybe SX. What would you recommend?
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Dan Taylor
I have had the BASIC Stamp for a little while and would like to·solder it into my own projects. But because of the expence of the Bs2 don't really want too. I am looking for a cheaper programmable IC such as the Propeller or maybe SX. What would you recommend?
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Dan Taylor
Comments
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It might be the Information Age but the Eon of Ignorance has yet to end.
It's difficult to make any sort of recommendation without more information from you about your experience level, types of projects intended, etc.
of each individual on this forum. I know that the user profile can be tasked for this purpose, but a
brief summary of the skill sets that an individual posses to be included in the header of originating posts would be welcome.
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JMH - Electronics: Engineer - Programming: Professional
Post Edited (Quantum) : 8/27/2008 3:39:22 PM GMT
I have a little experiance with the BASIC Stamp. I have the Boe-Bot and am working on the Toddler right now so that is kinda where I am at. I know enough of the BASIC Stamp language to be able to do what I want but still there is a lot more to learn.
I have a couple of projects that I would like to solder together but like I said if its just a fun project for practice I don't want to have to buy another Bs2. I am a 14 year old so I don't really have any pressingn projects·that I need to·build. I just·do it·as a hobby.
So I would like a cheaper IC so I could program it and solder it in without paying 60+ bucks.
Thanks·for Posting!
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Dan Taylor
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Dan Taylor
I'm not very familiar with the SX - I have not used it before. But I have used the Propeller on several projects now, and I have to say it's a joy to use and you can learn a lot with it.· Keep·in mind that the Propeller uses the SPIN language rather than BASIC and it has 8 processors (cogs), so you'll have to re-learn a few programming concepts of you decide to use it in place of the Stamp.
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·"I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.· My wish has come true.· I no longer know how to use my telephone."
- Bjarne Stroustrup
The Propeller also needs a means for programming. If you are using the DIP version of the Propeller and using a breadboard, you should get the Prop Plug which is $25. Or you could get the Propeller Proto Board USB·which has the integrated USB connection and sells for $40, but this is like the Basic stamp in that each time you want a new project board you'll need to pay $40 again.
Also something to note, is that the SX can be programmed in BASIC via SX/B but it is not a beginners Basic and requires alot more knowledge of the chip. Propeller you will have to learn a new language, but·once you do it is a lot less restrictive chip to work with.
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Paul Baker
Propeller Applications Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
Post Edited (Paul Baker (Parallax)) : 9/4/2008 9:36:33 PM GMT
Whatever option you get, the propeller is a big step forward in terms of features, power and complexity. The fact that it is a multiprocessor microcontroller is with spin somewhat hidden, so for starters the demos that the PropellerTool has are excellent, they do something useful and even with the minimalist setup (A propeller, 2 decoupling caps, some resistors, a VGA or RCA connector, voltage regulator and crystal) in a protoboard. Remember that your time is also valuable, so a ready to plug board is always a good idea (so you have a base that works-for-sure (tm[noparse]:)[/noparse])
The SX is a very fast single processor, it has very nice banked memory (ughr), but it has a limited flash memory and low pin count. For something small that needs few components and few pins, at is hard to beat. Maybe an AVR, but they have different strengths.
A small piece of advice: get yourself a propeller proto board for 40 bucks and start today with something that works
Programming the Propeller is a bit more complicated, but once you get the hang of it, not bad at all, and FAR more powerful.
The one main drawback is the relative complexity of setting up the equivalent of a "Debug terminal" on the Propeller, but the Prop Serial Terminal gives you a free and not-too-complicated way of doing it.
So how can I program the SX in BASIC? I don't understand. I do have a little backround with the SX. That probably would be better for me than the Propellor.
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Dan Taylor
You wouldn't be into a huge investment to try the Propeller. If you do, I bet you will be rewarded in the long run. It's a lot of fun and you would probably learn a lot more than you would with the SX.
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·"I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.· My wish has come true.· I no longer know how to use my telephone."
- Bjarne Stroustrup
if you know ONE programming language you know 70% of all programming languages.
The new thing in another programming language are some details in the syntax.
Of course they are important to make it work.
I started a long time ago on a C64 creating horrible spaghetti-basic-code
Next thing was Turbo-Pascal. Pascal (nowadays delphi) and SPIN allows a
structured way of programming that makes it much easier to
understand code and maintain the code than basic does.
some examples
i'm not familiar with basic-stamp basic but i think C64-basic comes close to it
a loop running always 10 times
if-condition:
the advantage of SPIN over basic is
programming subroutines. This means you can expand the COMMAND-SET in any direction you like only limited by the RAM
example
basic has a command to send a byte across a serial connection
if you want to send a special command to a special LCD (not supported by PBasic) that positions the cursor in third line 12th columm
in basic you have to to something like
sendbyte ("enter command-mode")
sendbyte("Linenr")
sendbyte("Colummnr")
sendstring("Hello world")
and you have to repeat ALL FOUR commandlines everytime you want to position a text on the LCD
now in SPIN you define a NEW command "WriteTextXY"
and once having defined the new command you can use it as often as you like it
WriteTextXY(3,12,string("Hello world"))
and everything is done !
if you don't like the command-name "WriteTextXY" name it "LCDXY", SendXY, "TextRowCol" or just "XY" or whatever you like
best regards
Stefan
Post Edited (StefanL38) : 9/6/2008 1:50:58 PM GMT
I think the Propellor is what I am going to go for. Where·would it be best to start?
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Dan Taylor
1. If you dont want to solder or want to try things on a breakout then the demo board or professional dev board are good. If you already have a breakout board then the spin stamp can be plugged into a breakout board.
2. If you dont mind soldering then the proto boards are very cheap. If you plan on getting more than 1 over time then I would get the non-usb version with the usb plug because the non-usb version is very cheap and you re-use the usb plug
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Paul Baker
Propeller Applications Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
Or is that not such a great starting board. Does it use this Chip? http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerChips/tabid/142/CategoryID/18/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/332/Default.aspx
Thanks
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Dan Taylor
If you like to have paper in your hands, get the Propeller Manual. It's available for free downloading, but paper is sometimes nice.
Consider getting the Hydra Manual by Andre LaMothe. It has excellent explanations of video, sound production, assembly language.
Even though the examples are written for the Hydra, most of them are usable on other boards with a two or three statement change.
You'll want an RCA connector adapter for TV video output (www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/CablesConverters/tabid/166/CategoryID/40/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/514/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName) and a couple of resistors (see the schematic for the Demo Board for their values).
I downloaded the Propeller Manual and that will be helpful I am going to probably need some example projects with schematics to get me going.
Like the "What's a Microcontroller". Is there nothing like that for the Propeller?
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Dan Taylor
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Paul Baker
Propeller Applications Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
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Dan Taylor