No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
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Posts: 46,084
Been looking through the parallax site and I'm shocked to find out
that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
Comments
when you have the opportunity. I've written a lot of code for BASIC Stamps
in the last nine years, and only once did I have to work hard to make things
fit -- but I managed. Many people, coming from PCs or other micros forget to
take advantage of the Stamp's ability to use Bit (0 - 1) and Nib (0 - 15)
variables in their code.
Our next-generation Stamp is under development right now. Like the original
BASIC Stamp, it will break the mold and shatter preconceived notions of what
an embedded microcontroller can be. And yes, it will have more RAM.
If you're really stuck, the Javelin Stamp is available now. It programs in
Java (not hard and there's lots of third party training info) and comes with
a 32K SRAM. The program runs from this RAM (for speed) and anything that's
left (typically 25K to 30K) is available for variable space.
-- Jon Williams
-- Parallax
In a message dated 10/20/02 10:40:11 AM Central Daylight Time,
ghidera2000@y... writes:
> Been looking through the parallax site and I'm shocked to find out
> that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
> butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
> big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
> the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
> burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
> store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
> back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
> one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
>
> Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
> coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
> to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
> more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
>
> Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
your usage of the smaller variable sizes it's just fine. I am doing a
pretty big R/C project using the BS2P which has 125 bytes of scratch pad RAM
and pass data back and forth between 8 seperate running programs and haven't
even gotten close to running out of resources.
Hang in there, the Stamps are great and the support even greater, beleive
me, I have tried them all and keep coming back to the Stamp.
MIke B.
Original Message
From: "ghidera2000" <ghidera2000@y...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 8:39 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
> Been looking through the parallax site and I'm shocked to find out
> that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
> butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
> big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
> the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
> burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
> store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
> back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
> one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
>
> Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
> coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
> to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
> more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
>
> Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
>
>
>
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>
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>
>
> Make sure that you're taking advantage of using Bit and Nib(ble)
variables
> when you have the opportunity
Yep, using 4 bit variables and a couple nibs (though I'm thinking the
nibs may cause problems later). I'm also using bytes for temperatures
in an application where the temps should never go lower than 0F or
higher than 90F.
Oh well, I have lots of EEprom space left so the extra code from
dropping burst reads won't hurt too much.
When I get everything working I can always post the code for critique
by the group and see where I'm being wastefull I guess [noparse]:D[/noparse]
That amounts to 63 more bytes on the BS2e & BS2sx and 127 more on the
BS2p. It is not as flexible as the main RAM, but it can buffer a lot
of data that is not needed so frequently. On the BS2p only, there is
the SERSTR modifier for use with the SERIN, I2CIN and OWIN commands;
it allows high speed input of bytes directly to the scratchpad RAM.
That does not work the other way for burst output though.
Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
for SERSTR can be found? Also for STORE? I guess those were the
last afterthought commands added to the BS2p firmware, and very very
useful additions they are. The download page says the current manual
version is 2.0c, but when I download it, it still says version 2.0b.
-- Tracy
>Make sure that you're taking advantage of using Bit and Nib(ble) variables
>when you have the opportunity. I've written a lot of code for BASIC Stamps
>in the last nine years, and only once did I have to work hard to make things
>fit -- but I managed. Many people, coming from PCs or other micros forget to
>take advantage of the Stamp's ability to use Bit (0 - 1) and Nib (0 - 15)
>variables in their code.
>
>Our next-generation Stamp is under development right now. Like the original
>BASIC Stamp, it will break the mold and shatter preconceived notions of what
>an embedded microcontroller can be. And yes, it will have more RAM.
>
>If you're really stuck, the Javelin Stamp is available now. It programs in
>Java (not hard and there's lots of third party training info) and comes with
>a 32K SRAM. The program runs from this RAM (for speed) and anything that's
>left (typically 25K to 30K) is available for variable space.
>
>-- Jon Williams
>-- Parallax
>
>
>In a message dated 10/20/02 10:40:11 AM Central Daylight Time,
>ghidera2000@y... writes:
>
>
> > Been looking through the parallax site and I'm shocked to find out
> > that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
> > butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
> > big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
> > the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
> > burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
> > store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
> > back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
> > one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
> >
> > Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
> > coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
> > to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
> > more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
> >
> > Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
> >
-- Tracy
> On the BS2p only, there is
>the SERSTR modifier for use with the SERIN, I2CIN and OWIN commands;
>it allows high speed input of bytes directly to the scratchpad RAM.
>That does not work the other way for burst output though.
>
>Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
>for SERSTR can be found?
trouble by mentioning the SERSTR stuff. The manual I JUST bought and paid
$50.00 for is 2.0b. I downloaded 2.0c and looked at the difference in the
SERIN stuff and it is a LOT different than the brand new manual I have,
Arrrggg...
Thanks Tracy..
MIke B.
Original Message
From: "Tracy Allen" <tracy@e...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
> And also don't forget the scratchpad RAM on the multi-bank stamps.
> That amounts to 63 more bytes on the BS2e & BS2sx and 127 more on the
> BS2p. It is not as flexible as the main RAM, but it can buffer a lot
> of data that is not needed so frequently. On the BS2p only, there is
> the SERSTR modifier for use with the SERIN, I2CIN and OWIN commands;
> it allows high speed input of bytes directly to the scratchpad RAM.
> That does not work the other way for burst output though.
>
> Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
> for SERSTR can be found? Also for STORE? I guess those were the
> last afterthought commands added to the BS2p firmware, and very very
> useful additions they are. The download page says the current manual
> version is 2.0c, but when I download it, it still says version 2.0b.
>
> -- Tracy
>
>
>
> >Make sure that you're taking advantage of using Bit and Nib(ble)
variables
> >when you have the opportunity. I've written a lot of code for BASIC
Stamps
> >in the last nine years, and only once did I have to work hard to make
things
> >fit -- but I managed. Many people, coming from PCs or other micros
forget to
> >take advantage of the Stamp's ability to use Bit (0 - 1) and Nib (0 - 15)
> >variables in their code.
> >
> >Our next-generation Stamp is under development right now. Like the
original
> >BASIC Stamp, it will break the mold and shatter preconceived notions of
what
> >an embedded microcontroller can be. And yes, it will have more RAM.
> >
> >If you're really stuck, the Javelin Stamp is available now. It programs
in
> >Java (not hard and there's lots of third party training info) and comes
with
> >a 32K SRAM. The program runs from this RAM (for speed) and anything
that's
> >left (typically 25K to 30K) is available for variable space.
> >
> >-- Jon Williams
> >-- Parallax
> >
> >
> >In a message dated 10/20/02 10:40:11 AM Central Daylight Time,
> >ghidera2000@y... writes:
> >
> >
> > > Been looking through the parallax site and I'm shocked to find out
> > > that no stamp models have larger than 26 bytes of ram. I'm already
> > > butting up against the 26 byte limit on my project and its not that
> > > big of a project... I'm reusing variables where possible (aliasing
> > > the names for clarity) but its still tight. I'm not even able to
> > > burst-write to an external eprom because I don't have enough ram to
> > > store the value's to be saved, stuck doing byte writes. I could go
> > > back to byte-reads off the DS1302 and just reach each date/time field
> > > one at a time I guess, but thats just robbing peter to pay paul.
> > >
> > > Except for ram, the BS2 is awesome! 2K eeprom seems to be plenty for
> > > coding (at least for the projects I have), 16 pins is plenty (thanks
> > > to SPI/I2C) its just ram that kills me. It not like I need a LOT
> > > more, 42 would be excellent (48-6 for IO).
> > >
> > > Are there plans for a ram-expanded stamp?
> > >
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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>
>
found that the manual I downloaded was 2.0c and STORE is covered, but SPSTR
is still MIA. Will send a note to the office to check on the status of 2.0d.
-- Jon
In a message dated 10/20/02 2:57:02 PM Central Daylight Time,
tracy@e... writes:
> Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
> for SERSTR can be found? Also for STORE? I guess those were the
> last afterthought commands added to the BS2p firmware, and very very
> useful additions they are. The download page says the current manual
> version is 2.0c, but when I download it, it still says version 2.0b.
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mention that the BS2P40 schematic has what I believe to be an error in the
connections to a PC. They show a capicitor in SERIES with one of the lines,
I don't think that is correct.
Mike B.
Original Message
From: <jonwms@a...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 6:45 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
> Hmmm ... I just tested the web site [noparse][[/noparse]high speed access is fantastic!] and
> found that the manual I downloaded was 2.0c and STORE is covered, but
SPSTR
> is still MIA. Will send a note to the office to check on the status of
2.0d.
>
> -- Jon
>
>
> In a message dated 10/20/02 2:57:02 PM Central Daylight Time,
> tracy@e... writes:
>
>
> > Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
> > for SERSTR can be found? Also for STORE? I guess those were the
> > last afterthought commands added to the BS2p firmware, and very very
> > useful additions they are. The download page says the current manual
> > version is 2.0c, but when I download it, it still says version 2.0b.
> >
>
>
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
you know, a series cap will let a change pass but will block a steady state.
This is what we want.
-- Jon Williams
-- Parallax
In a message dated 10/20/02 9:33:28 PM Central Daylight Time,
w6ffc@p... writes:
> As long as you are sending heads up info to the office you might want to
> mention that the BS2P40 schematic has what I believe to be an error in the
> connections to a PC. They show a capicitor in SERIES with one of the lines,
> I don't think that is correct.
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
footer for even numbered pages says 2.0b, and the pdf title var says
"BASIC_Stamp_Manual_20v2.pdf.
But the title page and the running footer for odd numbered pages says
version 2.0c.
More nits to pick with the office! Don't you hate keeping
documentation current?!
I missed "STORE" on first glance because it is not listed in the
table of contents, but there it is on page 322 (as printed), with
some nice demo programs.
-- Tracy
>Hmmm ... I just tested the web site [noparse][[/noparse]high speed access is fantastic!] and
>found that the manual I downloaded was 2.0c and STORE is covered, but SPSTR
>is still MIA. Will send a note to the office to check on the status of 2.0d.
>
>-- Jon
>
>
>In a message dated 10/20/02 2:57:02 PM Central Daylight Time,
>tracy@e... writes:
>
>
> > Jon, I was wondering where on the Parallaxinc site the documentation
> > for SERSTR can be found? Also for STORE? I guess those were the
> > last afterthought commands added to the BS2p firmware, and very very
> > useful additions they are. The download page says the current manual
> > version is 2.0c, but when I download it, it still says version 2.0b.
> >
>
>
>
>
>[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
>Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
cap in the BS2IC plus I am not using the cap in my present project. Am I
about to kill my chip??
Thanks
Mike B.
Original Message
From: <jonwms@a...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 7:54 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
> The Stamp ATN line is connected to the serial port through a series cap.
As
> you know, a series cap will let a change pass but will block a steady
state.
> This is what we want.
>
> -- Jon Williams
> -- Parallax
>
>
> In a message dated 10/20/02 9:33:28 PM Central Daylight Time,
> w6ffc@p... writes:
>
>
> > As long as you are sending heads up info to the office you might want to
> > mention that the BS2P40 schematic has what I believe to be an error in
the
> > connections to a PC. They show a capicitor in SERIES with one of the
lines,
> > I don't think that is correct.
> >
>
>
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
If you are looking at the same schematic I am, yes, it shows a 0.1 uf
cap in series from DTR (pin 4 on the DB9) to ATN (pin 3 on the BASIC
Stamp 2p40), and also 0.1uf from ATN to Vss. The BS2p24 schematic
does not show the caps.
No, you won't kill anything by not using them. But they are
essential in cases where you want to hook up the DB9 to computers
running telecom software other than the debug window. Those programs
usually set the DTR line high when you make a connection and then
they leave it high. If you don't have the cap, it just stays in
reset mode and your program will not run. But if you do have the
cap, you can "hang up" in the software, and then "connect" and your
program will reset and start from the beginning, and run on because
it only sees the short reset pulse coming through the capacitor. For
that reason, I think the capacitor is found on all of the BASIC Stamp
prototyping boards, like the BOE.
It can be used with any of the Stamp IIs, not just the BS2p40.
If you don't need to hook up to a PC once your Stamp is programmed,
then you really don't need the capacitor.
The second capacitor, from ATN to Vss is there to reduce the
sensitivity to noise. I like to use a 3kohm resistor there instead
of a capacitor.
-- Tracy
>Oh, OK, ya learn something every day. Is the 2P special as I don't see that
>cap in the BS2IC plus I am not using the cap in my present project. Am I
>about to kill my chip??
>
>Thanks
>
> Mike B.
>
>
Original Message
>From: <jonwms@a...>
>To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 7:54 PM
>Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] No stamp has greater than 26 bytes ram?
>
>
>> The Stamp ATN line is connected to the serial port through a series cap.
>As
>> you know, a series cap will let a change pass but will block a steady
>state.
>> This is what we want.
>>
>> -- Jon Williams
>> -- Parallax
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 10/20/02 9:33:28 PM Central Daylight Time,
>> w6ffc@p... writes:
>>
>>
>> > As long as you are sending heads up info to the office you might want to
>> > mention that the BS2P40 schematic has what I believe to be an error in
>the
>> > connections to a PC. They show a capicitor in SERIES with one of the
>lines,
>> > I don't think that is correct.
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
>> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
>Body of the message will be ignored.
>>
>>
>> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>>
>>
>
>
>
>To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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own cable and leave the caps out, you may have troubles with terminal
programs resetting the Stamp. Otherwise, the ATN line is an input so it
won't cause you any problems if you're just downloading programs to the Stamp.
BTW ... the ATN caps are on the BOE (and similar boards) -- they're not built
into the Stamp itself.
-- Jon Williams
-- Parallax
In a message dated 10/21/02 6:07:03 PM Central Daylight Time,
w6ffc@p... writes:
> Oh, OK, ya learn something every day. Is the 2P special as I don't see that
> cap in the BS2IC plus I am not using the cap in my present project. Am I
> about to kill my chip??
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike B.
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> The comm connection is the same for all BS2 family Stamps. If you build
> your
> own cable and leave the caps out, you may have troubles with terminal
> programs resetting the Stamp. Otherwise, the ATN line is an input so it
> won't cause you any problems if you're just downloading programs to the
> Stamp.
>
> BTW ... the ATN caps are on the BOE (and similar boards) -- they're not
> built
> into the Stamp itself.
>
>
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
the DB9 together.
Sid Weaver
W4EKQ
Port Richey, FL
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]