Is the BASIC stamp capable of...

Karnaugh

I've been working on a little side project for fun recently. My goal is to make a digital life counter for Magic: The gathering. This means the circuit I want to build must:
- Count from 0 to 99 on two 7-segment LED's
- Count up or down
- Reset to 20

My first attempt was to buy some IC's and a prototyping board and solder it up. Now that it's built though, it's not working and I suspect it has to do with the fact that it's my first attempt at soldering.

Anyways, one of my professors gave me a basic stamp, saying that I could probably do most of it in software rather than hardware. Before I start learning basic and writing the code I need to know if I can get this to work. As far as I can tell the basic stamp only has 8 I/O pins so it doesn't really look like I could do the entire thing in software. Even if I left the BCD to 7-Seg conversion up to IC's, that would still require 8 outputs and a few inputs for count, direction, reset.

So, do you think this circuit is viable on the Basic stamp, or should I just give the IC's a second chance?

SRLM

You should use a BS2... (or SX or Propeller). It's a simple software solution if you go that route. The BS2 has 16 I/O pins for your use (it's in a DIP with 24 pins total) Also, it might help if you do prototyping on a solderless breadboard: that way mistakes in wiring are easier to fix.

Ugha

Its possible to use a BS1 but you'd need additional ICs... but a BS2 would be easier of course.

Magic rocks btw [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Mike Green

There's a wealth of sample programs and schematics available on Parallax's website that illustrate the kind of functions that you want to do with the Stamp. Be sure to at least browse the indices. The tutorials are available for download here www.parallax.com/tabid/535/Default.aspx and you should at least glance through "What's a Microcontroller?".

The "StampWorks Manual" can be bought in paper form, but is downloadable for free here www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/txtSearch/stampworks/List/1/ProductID/144/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName and it also covers some of the functions you need.

Lastly, the Nuts and Volts columns cover a wide range of topics that may be useful. Have a look through the index: www.parallax.com/Resources/NutsVoltsColumns/tabid/272/Default.aspx

Beau Schwabe

Karnaugh,

All the suggestions so far are valid... What you might also consider if you already have a BS1, is to get two 74HC595's and use the SHIFTOUT command to drive your 7-segment LED's.· With the exception of the two 74HC595 IC's you should be able to do everything in software.

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Components/IntegratedCircuits/InterfacingChips/tabid/613/CategoryID/78/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/229/Default.aspx


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Beau Schwabe

IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.