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Getting into Propeller from the Arduino — Parallax Forums

Getting into Propeller from the Arduino

c.asmithc.asmith Posts: 15
edited 2014-01-23 13:35 in Propeller 1
Hi, Guys,

I work mostly with Arduinos and even SX micro-controllers in the past. I am looking at getting into the Propeller but I have some questions, which I hope you guys could help with:

1. I want my chips to be standalone in my projects. But I only see surface mounted versions. Is the not a verson for DIP chips? I know they sell DIP chips, but I cannot find the programmer?
2. I use a Mac, is the MAC supported and does it use USB?
3. Can you use Propellers in big commerical projects?

Thanks,

Cameron.

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-22 11:19
    c.asmith wrote: »
    Hi, Guys,

    I work mostly with Arduinos and even SX micro-controllers in the past. I am looking at getting into the Propeller but I have some questions, which I hope you guys could help with:

    1. I want my chips to be standalone in my projects. But I only see surface mounted versions. Is the not a verson for DIP chips? I know they sell DIP chips, but I cannot find the programmer?
    The Prop Plug can be used to program a Propeller chip DIP or otherwise.
    You'll also want to get some EEPROMs to store the Prop's programs.

    There are a bunch of links to tutorials in post #3 of my index (see signature). The Propeller Education Kit (PEK) pdf has instructions on how to program a Prop with a Prop Plug.
    c.asmith wrote: »
    2. I use a Mac, is the MAC supported and does it use USB?

    There are several ways to program a Prop with a Mac. Brad's Spin Tool (BST) in one of them.
    c.asmith wrote: »
    3. Can you use Propellers in big commerical projects?

    Absolutely and they are.

    While I initially used DIP Props in my home made boards, I found soldering the SMT chips (the ones with leads) not so hard. I rarely use DIPs now.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2014-01-22 11:27
    3. Can you use Propellers in big commerical projects?

    I do, and so do a lot of others. Legoland just selected the EFX-TEK HC-8+ controller and AP-16+ audio player (both Propeller powered) for animation controls they build for their parks and other Lego displays around the world. I helped several people with code and circuit assistance for commercial projects that use the Propeller.
  • c.asmithc.asmith Posts: 15
    edited 2014-01-22 11:32
    So, this might be an option then huh?

    http://www.parallax.com/product/32305

    Also, the Propeller doesn't have a built in EEPROM? What about code storage? Does that get stored on the chip or an external flash chip or EEPROM?

    Thanks,

    Cameron.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-22 12:30
    c.asmith wrote: »
    So, this might be an option then huh?

    http://www.parallax.com/product/32305

    Yes, I think that kit has everything to get you up and running.
    c.asmith wrote: »
    Also, the Propeller doesn't have a built in EEPROM? What about code storage? Does that get stored on the chip or an external flash chip or EEPROM?

    No internal EEPROM. I'm not sure if the Prop can boot from anything but EEPROM (or code being loaded from PC).
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,107
    edited 2014-01-22 15:16
    Does that get stored on the chip or an external flash chip or EEPROM?

    External EEPROM connected to pins 28 and 29; 32K; device address %000.

    In most of my designs I use 64K which gives me 32K of program space and 32K of non-volatile storage that is left untouched during reprogramming.
  • hacktorioushacktorious Posts: 72
    edited 2014-01-22 15:30
    I use a Mac with SimpleIDE for programming my propeller. However, I prefer C over spin.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-01-23 02:32
    You can actually build your own programming interface or buy a PropPlug.

    The DIY is an RS232 to Propeller affair.
    pdf
    pdf
    SerialtoPropeller.pdf
    62K
  • c.asmithc.asmith Posts: 15
    edited 2014-01-23 08:27
    Thank you everyone for your input :)

    I have another question, in reference to http://parallax.com/product/32305

    Why does the kit come with a 5Mhz crystal? Doesn't the chip run at 80Mhz? I know you can run chips at slower speeds, but why would you want something so slow at 5Mhz. Even the Arduino runs at 16Mhz

    Also, does the Propeller have a bootloader? Or does the language convert to 100% ASM and writes direct to the chip?

    Thanks,

    Cameron.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-01-23 08:33
    With a 5Mhz crystal, the 16x phase lock loop mode drives the Propeller cogs at 80Mhz.

    Regarding the question of a boot loader, I would say yes But.

    The Propeller has a Spin interpreter internally that loads both Spin code to be interpreted as required and/or PASM assembler binaries in a 32K image. A traditional bootloader doesn't not include an interpreter for a specific tokenized language.

    The Propeller requires a 32K EEPROM to be availabe for the SPIN and PASM to be loaded. The ROM within the Propeller hold the Spin Interpreter, a Log Table, a Character set for video, a Sine Table, and the resident Boot Loader services.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-01-23 13:35
    Cameron,

    Welcome!

    I just loaded the latest SimpleIDE onto my Mac and it compiles Spin/PASM programs just fine. SimpleIDE will also let you use C/C++ with the propeller which may ease your transition from the Arduino.

    The Parallax Learn site also has some great tutorials to help you with SimpleIDE and C (you should breeze through these just noting the difference between Arduino and the Propeller)

    The Propeller Education Kit is great for learning about the Propeller and has a great manual. It is targeted and breadboarding and circuit building. You may also want to check out the Propeller Activity Board or the Propeller Board of Education - they are also great for learning and also the SimpleIDE tutorials address features they have.
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