Some starting questions as I wait for my hardware
photomankc
Posts: 943
Hello folks,
After a 12 year break from any kind of electronics tinkering I got bit again by a simple plan for a battery to battery USB charger, which led me to the Stamp which hooked my instantly, my last project died when I just could not get it to download code from the PC and didn't have the tools to understand why. The Propeller caught my eye as a possible robot basis for the future and also a fairly simple device to get to boot and run. I am amazed at how much more simple things have become in this time! So on impulse I have purchased the Propeller chip, eeprom, and USB plug with the small parts to get this breadboarded and test it out a little. I am a little unclear on the USB plug though, if it's a programming only device or if it also allows serial communication back from the Propeller to the PC as well? A breadboard RS232 is not something I really like the idea of but would be simple enough to add to a prototyping board.
I plan to get a sort of general purpose core created that I can then attach to other projects as desired later. I was wondering what folks might recommend as a good prototype board that would be good for that as a more permanent build? I'm not looking for any of the boards that have the processor built in from Parallax, as I want to decide the I/O I need project-by-project. Any suggestions?
Lastly I was looking at the Debug package available and I my mouth is watering. Is it really making the propeller into darn near a digital scope? For $50 bucks if it can hook up to a small laptop and do that kind of analysis I'm going to get that and another chip setup without batting an eye. I just want to make sure I'm not way overestimating what it can really do. It looks like a bit of Oscilloscope, digital signal analyzer, and freq generator. Is that right? Is there a lot more to it to actually get that working or is it more or less something the chip can just do with the software?
I'm sure I'll step into more question as I go but these are what I have not been able to find conclusive answers to as yet. Thanks in advance for helping out a newb.
After a 12 year break from any kind of electronics tinkering I got bit again by a simple plan for a battery to battery USB charger, which led me to the Stamp which hooked my instantly, my last project died when I just could not get it to download code from the PC and didn't have the tools to understand why. The Propeller caught my eye as a possible robot basis for the future and also a fairly simple device to get to boot and run. I am amazed at how much more simple things have become in this time! So on impulse I have purchased the Propeller chip, eeprom, and USB plug with the small parts to get this breadboarded and test it out a little. I am a little unclear on the USB plug though, if it's a programming only device or if it also allows serial communication back from the Propeller to the PC as well? A breadboard RS232 is not something I really like the idea of but would be simple enough to add to a prototyping board.
I plan to get a sort of general purpose core created that I can then attach to other projects as desired later. I was wondering what folks might recommend as a good prototype board that would be good for that as a more permanent build? I'm not looking for any of the boards that have the processor built in from Parallax, as I want to decide the I/O I need project-by-project. Any suggestions?
Lastly I was looking at the Debug package available and I my mouth is watering. Is it really making the propeller into darn near a digital scope? For $50 bucks if it can hook up to a small laptop and do that kind of analysis I'm going to get that and another chip setup without batting an eye. I just want to make sure I'm not way overestimating what it can really do. It looks like a bit of Oscilloscope, digital signal analyzer, and freq generator. Is that right? Is there a lot more to it to actually get that working or is it more or less something the chip can just do with the software?
I'm sure I'll step into more question as I go but these are what I have not been able to find conclusive answers to as yet. Thanks in advance for helping out a newb.
Comments
Look at the Boss Boards from Gadget Gangster for prototyping.
Rich H
It doesn't have any I/O forced on you though it has some layout on the board for mouse/keyboard/video/servos but they dont come populated. I use this board for most of my robotics. There is enough space for a small amount of extras, if I need more I tend to mount another board above the prop board with a connector between them.
The plug programs the Propeller, but it can also be used for communicating back with the Propeller... see "PST" (Parallax Serial Terminal) which can share the plug with the Propeller Tool, and also ViewPort, which has a terminal function built-in.
Currently, the Propeller ProtoBoard is the best option - it works with your plug, and for $29.95 you get it assembled and tested with voltage regulation, 64KB eeprom, 5MHz crystal, with some prototyping space and room for a combo VGA/PS2 connector. http://www.gadgetgangster.com/ has a decent little proto board too... and there is something new coming in four-five weeks from me
ViewPort is excellent, I used it to help debug my Morpheus board (link in sig below) - WELL WORTH the money! I am mostly using it as a logic analyzer.
You are most welcome
Bill
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www.mikronauts.com - my site 6.250MHz custom Crystals for running Propellers at 100MHz
Las - Large model assembler for the Propeller Largos - a feature full nano operating system for the Propeller
Morpheus & Mem+ Advanced dual Propeller SBC with XMM and 256 Color VGA
Please use mikronauts _at_ gmail _dot_ com to contact me off-forum, my PM is almost totally full
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Brian
uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller
PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!
SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
My modules are small drop in units that can be used in end product or on bread board
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propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5
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