Which micro for me?

MJHanagan

Hello Parallax forum!

I am quite new to this microprocessor world and would like some advice on which micro I should consider for my first project. I am installing a wall mounted 0-Gauge model train system in my kid's adjoining bedrooms. I would like to give each kid an RF keyfob to control the train (start, stop, etc) in their specific room (the track will have switch tracks to controll the train to pass throught the wall or remain in one of the two rooms). Mommy and Daddy need a third RF keyfob to exert their authority when needed.

I have found some relatively inexpensive keyfobs (Linx Technologies) so now I am onto figuring out how best to centralize the control of the train and the track. Ideally I need about 8 outputs and 16-17 inputs (RF signals and some track sensors) for a total of about 24-25 I/O pins. I assume the micro's pin outputs will be able to drive a Darlington array which will ultimately control some relays for the track outputs. I am also interested in using the train as an "alarm clock" in the morning so would like to have the micro "wakeup" at a specified time.

A very, very long time ago I recall programming in assembly, but would much rather use something higher level to do the code as I would like to minimize the time needed to develop a working system. We currently have a PC but will be migrating soon to an Apple laptop so I also want to be sure I can program the micro using the new computer without buying expensive software (does Parallax support OS X?).

So given that brief description of what I am trying to accomplish what would be a good choice for the micro itself (Basic Stamp or Propeller)?

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)

I'm a big Propeller-head here, so every problem looks "Propeller" applicable to me.
Based on your number of inputs I suspect that will be the direction to look.

OBC

stamptrol

Everyone has a favorite, but for ease in starting out, one of the 40-pin BS2-series Stamps will give you what you need in terms of i/o.
Lots of programming examples available and a real-time clock can be added with a dedicated chip (DS1302).

electrosys

I second the motion on the Basic Stamp 40P.

Mike Green

Either the Propeller or the BS2p40 will do the job for you. Both have 3rd party free MacOS development systems available (BST and MacBS2 respectively). Parallax has links to them on the website (use the Downloads button on the main webpage).

There are examples in the Nuts and Volts Column #6 (use the Resources tab on the main webpage ... you'll see a link to the index) of the use of Darlington arrays with a Stamp and the Propeller would work the same way.

SparkFun has a real-time-clock "breakout board" that includes all the pieces you'd need including a backup battery. There are examples of the use of this chip with both a Stamp and a Propeller. Start with the Nuts and Volts column on the subject.

Rick_H

I started with the Basic Stamp 2 and loved the shear amount of documentation and guides. I really needed something faster 2 years ago and put off trying out the propeller for 2 reasons. 1 - Need to learn a new language 2 - their didn't seem to be near as much documentation. Now that I am using the Propeller I don't think I will ever use a stamp again for the simple reason Spin is as easy as basic, the propeller is not only immensely more powerful then the stamp but its almost 1/10 the cost even after the eprom and crystal are purchased. The only thing I miss in the stamp is the use of bits and nibs, in the prop you need to write routines with masks to get bits and nibs.

Basic stamp Pros -
- Learning the Basic stamp was super easy, And basic is a common language.
- Documentation is abundant with every thing from protocol guides to industrial control documentation. Check the cd out its free to download.
- it uses bits and nibs for variable sizes

Basic stamp cons -
- its 8 bit
- its much more expensive and less powerful

Propeller Pros -
its 32 bit
its 8 processors in 1 chip
its fast at 80Mhz and assembly is like 4 clock cycles per command
its less than $15 with eprom and crystal
it has several languages to program in including Assembly(hands down the fastest)
Its manual is well written and their are good documents on programing it.
their is the object library with code you can freely use and modify or just learn from.

Propeller Cons -
it don't use bits or nibs as variable sizes



Both are well supported and made by a great company.

Honestly I would still get a stamp to play with even if you decide to go with the prop just because its a fun chip to program with.

Ravenkallen

You really have to choose what is more important to you. Time, money, ease of use or performance.... If you want price and performance go with the Propeller. If you want ease of use and you are on a short time budget, go with the Stamp. If it was me i would skip straight over the Stamp and go with the Propeller. The Propeller's spin programming language is not very hard to pick up( i picked it up in a month or so). If you want instant gratification go with the Stamp, but if you want an excellent micro that is just a little harder to get started with and will over all be a much better choice, go with the Propeller..

Humanoido

MJHanagan wrote: »

what would be a good choice for the micro itself (Basic Stamp or Propeller)?

Get BOTH.

MJHanagan

Many thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. The jury seems to be evenly split between the Stamp and the Propeller. So it seems like I can’t go wrong with whatever decision I make. In the end I should have a workable solution – nice! At this point I’m leaning towards the Propeller option since the parallel processing seems intriguing.

I have one other question regarding the RF receiver which I think I’ll post separately.

Thanks again for your thoughtful inputs!