Propeller 2 newbie question - answered

Maciek

I am totally new to the Propeller architecture but intend to learn it soon as I can see good use for the multicore prcessing in one of my projects. Since the P2 is the obvious way to go nowadays (but the official eval board is a fair bit too pricey for me and Peters' P2D2 still in final stage of development), here comes the important question: is it a logical step to start with the P1 now (chips are readilly available) to get the feeling and move to the P2 later on or just head straight to the P2 ?
Thanks, Maciek

JRoark

You can absolutely start with the P1. The P1 and P2 are close cousins and share many of the same architectual elements, so knowledge gained here will be directly applicable later. A fair argument can be made that this route is even *preferable* since learning on the P1 may help you write cleaner and more efficient code on the P2 when the P2 becomes available to you.

If I was in your shoes I’d plop a P1 FLIP module down on a breadboard and dig right in. You can have a lot of fun with 40 pins and a USB cable.

JonnyMac

I agree with JRoark: you can start wth a P1 now and get used to the multi-core environment and the way things work with the Propeller using the P1. If/when you decide to move to the P2, you'll need to make some syntax changes, but you'll understand how the device works and have more features to work with. The P2 is not displacing or replacing the P1; it's just another member of the [small] family.

Maciek

JRoark and JonnyMac - Thanks a lot for an almost instant answer. Haven't expected that to be so fast, honestly. P1 it is then and while I thought about the application I have in mind it (P1) might even do the job so thank you again. As for the FLIP module, which is a very nice and clean board minus the presoldered pins (I hate and do not use breadboards for the sake of debugging hardware problems) I can see Mouser has them in stock for ...yes $43.70 a piece plus EU tax (23% in my case) plus shipping. That's a no go. I'd rather make my own dev board and learn something on the way too. The qfn package is the one I'm considering if it's 0,5mm pitch or the QFP if it is not.

JonnyMac

If you're earnest and willing to put in a bit of effort, I think you'll find many in the forums are willing to be helpful.

I am giving a presentation on my approach to programming in Spin2 on the 26th -- though much of the information will be helpful for P1 programmers as well. See this thread:
--http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/171704/propeller-2-live-forum-early-adopter-series-topics-speakers-and-registration#latest

Mouser tends to over-charge for Parallax products. If you want a FLiP (to get up and going very quickly), buy it directly from Parallax ($28 at the moment) -- Mouser adds no value to it.
-- https://www.parallax.com/product/32123

Here's another option if you want to solder circuitry together:
-- https://www.parallax.com/product/32810

JRoark

@Maciek There is another possibility for obtaining some P1 stuff that just popped-up. You might see the following thread and contact the seller @MByron if any of this looks to be of interest to you.

https://forums.parallax.com/discussion/171985/leaving-electronics-too-old-78-yrs-old-prop-1-hardware-for-sale

Maciek

I saw it already, thanks. Not sure I can view it live but maybe it'll be available as a recording later and if so I'll make sure I see it.

Maciek

@JRoark you beat me to it. Saw that one too along with JonnyMac's nostalgic comment (spot on by the way).

Maciek

And that very comment helped me to decide on the hardware - I'll make my own board, learn with it than wait up a bit and get Peter's P2D2 when its out and available. Seems like a perfect dev board to me.

potatohead

I like the P1 for ad-hoc boards, or just breadboarding myself. You should find that to be a good call. And why not?

The P1 is not going anywhere, and it's got a great body of code for people to use.

Maciek

@potatohead Good point. I have thought about that also. Why reinvent the wheel when it's already been invented and improved upon ? I also breifly considered the ancient DIP package which is very convenient for breadboard use (which I do not use) but man, that is a huge thing and I'm not sure how it will perform at higher speeds given the length of the connections inside the package itself plus a little extra externally. Maybe someone more experienced with this type of package could advise on this possible issue ? Just for software logic tests it's perfect. I might, just might add this one to the shopping cart too.

Maciek

And, by the way, I think this thread should end here at this point and continue in the Propeller 1 section as it no longer relates to the P2. Thanks everybody for your valuable input. Good folks here on the forum.

Ltech

You can get a "Parallax Inc Propeller USB Development Board - 32810" for 30 Euro , VTA included by RSonline in Europe.

https://befr.rs-online.com/web/p/processor-microcontroller-development-kits/7792728/

Cluso99

Interestingly, when overclocking, the DIP40 performs a little faster at 120MHz whereas QFP44 only goes to around 115MHz. Of course this is keeping all circuits on-die.
FWIW I regularly overclock to 104MHz, but this requires a properly designed pcb.

Maciek

@Ltech great find, thnx.
@Cluso99 if that's the case that it's a non issue then. Superb.
Would be fun to make a giant P1 board to experiment with - will go well with my fat 4x20 char LCD for a vintage look. I've already saw some proofs of outstanding P1 performance when taken care of by experts on this forum.

Maciek

JonnyMac wrote: »

If you're earnest and willing to put in a bit of effort, I think you'll find many in the forums are willing to be helpful.

I am giving a presentation on my approach to programming in Spin2 on the 26th -- though much of the information will be helpful for P1 programmers as well. See this thread:
--http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/171704/propeller-2-live-forum-early-adopter-series-topics-speakers-and-registration#latest

Mouser tends to over-charge for Parallax products. If you want a FLiP (to get up and going very quickly), buy it directly from Parallax ($28 at the moment) -- Mouser adds no value to it.
-- https://www.parallax.com/product/32123

Here's another option if you want to solder circuitry together:
-- https://www.parallax.com/product/32810

I went to their site at the begining but Parallax seems to discourage international buyers from what I've learned there and I can see a reason for that and understand their position. Only then I went to search at Mouser and Farnell and Ltech showed me another valid option.

Moving the discussion to the P1 section now.

Maciek

Please, from now on, post comments in this thread instead: P1 newbie question (continued from "P2 newbie question") in the Propeller 1 section. Thanks.