Going from BS to Propeller
NWCCTV
Posts: 3,629
I am considering getting involved with the Propeller but I have a few questions. First, Other than speed, what are the major differences between the prop and Basic Stamps? Basic Stamps seem to have tons of add ons, such as ping sensors, bluetoote, etc, etc. Is the prop capable of supporting these devices? Is it possible to use PINK? I have several items for the Basic Stamp. and it would be nic to be able to use them if I decide to delve in to the prop. Thanks for any assistance.
Post Edited (NWCCTV) : 3/2/2010 6:48:26 AM GMT
Post Edited (NWCCTV) : 3/2/2010 6:48:26 AM GMT
Comments
2) Most of the Stamp add-ons have corresponding objects available from the Propeller Object Exchange or more general objects are used (like SERIN / SEROUT equivalents).
3) Almost all of the existing Stamp peripherals can be used with the Propeller. Sometimes you have to use a little interface hardware because of the voltage difference (5V logic vs. 3.3V logic), but often this is just a resistor, often 2.2K. Some of the Propeller boards have built-in 3.3V to 5V conversion hardware.
4) The Propeller can use the PINK. It can also act as a server by itself. Look at the YBox2 (www.ladyada.net/make/ybox2/).
5) The Propeller can generate TV or VGA video directly (with a few resistors) and can use a PS/2 keyboard directly. A small TV is quite handy for debugging purposes. There's a TV text driver (object) that uses one I/O pin with a 270 Ohm resistor in series (see the Object Exchange).
The Prop group is sometimes a step behind on new technologies. On the other hand, they are using what is available in new ways that will be very impotant down the road. Many times you will find that the bleeding edge of development is still in the Basic Stamp community. The lead lag seems to be a few months at this point, but it is significant if you are in a competitive situation. So, what you already know is a bonus, and will make you strong over here.
The future belongs to the Prop... so you will need to migrate. But it really isn't an either or situation... straddle both communities and take the best from both.
Jim
http://cgi.ebay.com/Parallax-Propeller-P8X32-RS232-Board-BASIC-Stamp-160MIP_W0QQitemZ290403354356QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439d6386f4
I started using the Propeller soon after getting started with the Basic Stamp 2. The BS2 was a bit easier to learn than the Propeller but I soon saw how much more powerful the Propeller was. It’s like being able to have seven large·subroutines always running (in separate cogs) so it doesn’t slow down the main program. It’s so fun! I use Propeller chips every day with my work as a chemistry consultant. I use them to control the temperature of a drying oven and (the main use) to log the data from the various instruments in my lab.
The thing I missed the most about the BS2 is the serial in and out. With the Propeller, you have to use an object to communicate with the computer but it didn’t take long until this was second nature (it’s not hard). I haven’t used a BS2 for almost two years, while I program on a Propeller almost every day.
My latest attempt to use a Propeller with my work is to program a robot arm to pick up a sample, place it·on the balance,·record the·weight, remove the sample and pick up the next sample of a row samples and countinue wieghing samples untill they have all been weighed. Did I mention this stuff is fun?
Duane
I quoted that auction in my last post, but the blue highlite does not show up·very well on the forum page. It will work, but you will need a USB2Serial device to program it unless you have a serial port on your computer or laptop. And then a serial cable would work for programing. The PropPlug cited in the other post will not work for this board.
The Propeller Starter Kit is $99.00 and comes with the official Parallax Demo Board and Manual. The ebay item has a schematic somewhere, but I don't see it on the auction. They point all support back to Parallax pages. Doesn't that say somthing? It doesn't seem like they have any support for thier product.
Bottom line is the auction may seem like a good price, and it may be a quality item, but, I my opinion, ·you are better of going with the original manufacturer to get the the official demo board and manual. Most of the objects written for the OBEX and items on the forums are written for the demo board. It will make the transition very quick·and easy.
My .02
Jim
Duane
Never mind. I must have been looking at the wrong thing. Does the Spin programmer come with the Starter Kit? Also, Other than a power supply, is there anything else I need to purchase?
Post Edited (NWCCTV) : 3/3/2010 12:45:53 AM GMT
http://www.parallax.com/Resources/ResourcesHome/tabid/473/Default.aspx
Propeller downloads including the Propeller IDE, (Spin Programmer), can be found here:
http://www.parallax.com/tabid/832/Default.aspx
www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Parallax+Propeller+Tool
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You only ever need two tools in life. If it moves and it shouldn't use Duct Tape. If it does not move and it should use WD40.
I got into the prop last february so I could win a penguin robot from Gadget Gangster. This "forced" me to learn the prop in a very short amount of time, even though I had only worked with the BS2 before then. If only I had learned about the prop before then.... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Good luck with your future propeller endeavors!
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Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!
(no longer new) SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
Very nice link--I MUST use that more often....
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Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!
(no longer new) SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
Another new addition is the PropBasic Compiler. You can program in Basic and output Propeller Assembley code. It's very cool.
Propeller Tool..Think Basic Stamp Editor.
Jim
An object is similar to an include file in C. It’s software that make tasks easier to program since you can other peoples’ code easily. For serial communication the common object is FullDuplexSerial. You can read about in PELabsFunBook-v1.1.pdf (the blue text is a link to page where it will download). Read about it on page 100. If you think a Boe-Bot is cool with a BS2 you should see what it can do with a Propeller. I’ve had my Prop-Boe-Bot controlled via a R/C radio. The receiver was on the Prop-Boe-Bot with the Propeller chip receiving the PWM signals from all seven channels and processing to drive the servos, LED, etc. I’ve also controlled the Prop-Boe-Bot with a Wii Nunchuck both wired directly and with the Nunchuck signal being broadcast with the same RC transmitter used above. This required a second Propeller chip to decode the Nunchuck and convert the signal to mimic the signal that comes through a trainer cord on a normal RC transmitter. Just try to do something like that with a BS2. No way! Parallax has great educational material and this forum has taught me everything else I wanted to know about the Propeller.
I usually don’t post very often. I usually just read previous answers since most of the questions I’ve had have been asked before and answered very well by the forum members. I’m amazed how helpful these guys are.
Another note about the Prop-Boe-Bot. A Propeller Protoboard is the same size as the BS2 board on the Boe-Bot. I soldered female headers on the bottom of the Protoboard and attached half of a normal size bread board on the bottom also. I had the headers aligned with the edges of the breadboard like similar to the way they are on a BS2 board. On the top side of the board a solder a wire from each pin to a header. I also labeled the headers so I can see which header corresponds to which pin. Make sure you sandwich a durable layer of insulation between the Protoboard and the breadboard. I used sections of popsicle sticks to provide a level surface to which I could attach the breadboard. I then attached the Protoboard upside down onto the Boe-Bot. I know I’m not the only (nor the first) to use a Propeller with the Boe-Bot. (But I did come up with it independently; it is just begging to be done.) Anyway, you don’t have to switch to the Propeller. But it’s the only way to be a cool geek.
Duane
I do have one question, which is a bit of a concern since the project I am currently working on requires a LAN adapter. How easy is it to integrate the Hydra board with the Prop Board? Or, is it possible to use the EtherX with just the Prop board? My project consists of being able to use the HydraX possibly as a POE device and be able to communicate with IP devices. I am not even sure if this is doable at all with Parallax products, but am investigating the idea.
Good luck,
Duane
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Life is fun with a Prop.
BillS
··· Louisville KY.
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PropellerHead
Anyhow, I was thinking of getting the Starter Kit. Is there anything else I would need if I went that route instead of the PE?
Duane, That BeagleBoard looks pretty awesome. Anyone here ever use it for anything? I would like to get more input about it.
I switched completely to the prop now and loving it. Yes, it is a little bit more complicated as far as needing a crystal, 3.3 volt instead of 5, external EEPROM, but it is well worth the extra work.
I actually ordered the Propeller Education Kit, basically just the parts and a breadboard. I actually like that a little more so on larger projects I am not limited on I/O pins going to PS2 connectors and things I rarely use....
Oh yes, you'll need some kind of PC with a USB port. The Propeller Tool only runs under Windows, but BST is a free 3rd party development system (editor / Spin compiler / assembler / downloader) that runs under Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
For BASIC Stamp users, the Backpack may well be an easy-to-swallow "gateway drug" to hard core Propeller use.
-Phil
I've been reading Programming and Customizing the Multicore Propeller Microcontroller.· Chapter 8 is titled "Using Multicore for Networking Applications."· It explains a lot about using·Hydra and EtherX to implement network applications.· Too cool!
Duane