Intro & question
Archiver
Posts: 46,084
I'm new to the list. A little intro: Name is Mike Schwall and I am a
technician for Veridian Engineering. I work on eddy current inspection
robots used by the military to inspect jet engine parts for cracks
during their overhaul. I have a good background in analog electronics
with a descent base of digital. I am new to the microcontroller scene
and would like to learn more about it to benefit me in my many projects
I undertake.
My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the Basic
stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car alarm/immobilizer.
I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip switches)
to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay, etc.
and have the option of expandability to control more items (basically
control an I/O line that can be tied to external circuitry to perform a
desired function). I also want the ability to use a magnetic reed
switch, RF remote, etc. to disable the alarm once your in the vehicle
(hence the time delay - which also serves to allow the theif to drive it
a bit then activate the alarm measures).
Would I benefit from learning about the Basic stamp or would learning
more complex mcu's benefit me more?
TIA
Mike
technician for Veridian Engineering. I work on eddy current inspection
robots used by the military to inspect jet engine parts for cracks
during their overhaul. I have a good background in analog electronics
with a descent base of digital. I am new to the microcontroller scene
and would like to learn more about it to benefit me in my many projects
I undertake.
My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the Basic
stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car alarm/immobilizer.
I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip switches)
to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay, etc.
and have the option of expandability to control more items (basically
control an I/O line that can be tied to external circuitry to perform a
desired function). I also want the ability to use a magnetic reed
switch, RF remote, etc. to disable the alarm once your in the vehicle
(hence the time delay - which also serves to allow the theif to drive it
a bit then activate the alarm measures).
Would I benefit from learning about the Basic stamp or would learning
more complex mcu's benefit me more?
TIA
Mike
Comments
I think the projects you sketched can be relaized with basic stamps.
One issue that might drive you to more complex MCUs is if you need
precise high resolution timing or real multitasking. On the other
hand if you manage to realize your projects with a basic stamp you can
benefit from its simple design and easy programming and thus from
short project cycles. The ease of use is the main advantage of basic
stamps over other microcontrollers.
If you want a stamp to control many things you soon want to expand the
IO capacity of the stamp - using a BS2p40 or some external IO
expansion circuitry, eg. a '595 serial to parallel converter.
I recommend some experimentation to find out whether the stamps are
suitable for your intentions. Get you a stamp and a BOE (board of
education) or build a board on your own. This is a relatively
inexpensive way to get some real knowledge about what can be done
with a stamp.
To get an impression you may want to read an article on my recent
stamp project which I published in the files section
(MACS_article.txt)
Regards
Adrian
the stamp. Check out
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/ for typical circuitry and pcb.
Jim
Original Message
From: Mike Schwall [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=FVZHrBYjnDSF9eoDjyVzYzr0qO9tbgmD50Qcp7i5g-metcbRkQhXJwi86gPD-EKmh6TpS8FEENLZ]mschwall@c...[/url
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 2:10 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Intro & question
I'm new to the list. A little intro: Name is Mike Schwall and I am a
technician for Veridian Engineering. I work on eddy current inspection
robots used by the military to inspect jet engine parts for cracks
during their overhaul. I have a good background in analog electronics
with a descent base of digital. I am new to the microcontroller scene
and would like to learn more about it to benefit me in my many projects
I undertake.
My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the Basic
stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car alarm/immobilizer.
I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip switches)
to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay, etc.
and have the option of expandability to control more items (basically
control an I/O line that can be tied to external circuitry to perform a
desired function). I also want the ability to use a magnetic reed
switch, RF remote, etc. to disable the alarm once your in the vehicle
(hence the time delay - which also serves to allow the theif to drive it
a bit then activate the alarm measures).
Would I benefit from learning about the Basic stamp or would learning
more complex mcu's benefit me more?
TIA
Mike
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
for a project of this kind. Most of your problems are going to be
interface-type problems -- driving relays, reading switches, delaying
a certain time, blinking a few LED's perhaps, an RF interface.
Look at www.parallax.com, in Resources, Nuts and Volts. They have
many downloadable articles and sample code for a variety of
interfaces to the Stamp.
In addition, Parallax has many 'AppMod' modules which will plug in to
their 'Board of Education' (though their web-site makes it hard to
find them all). The Stamp has had many interface solutions developed
for it which take very few pins, use very low power, and have very
simple interface code -- which should simplify the hardest parts of
your project. I'd recommend starting with the BOE kit, and the
Analog course (to get a feel for what it takes to do D/A, A/D,
timing, LED driving, speaker driving, and digital interfacing with
the Stamp).
> My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the
Basic
> stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car
alarm/immobilizer.
> I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip
switches)
> to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
> activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
> outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay,
etc.
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Adrian Schneider <adrian.schneider@t...>
> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=p8nhxbN-O0FpGPk8hTEWMcKJKo-TjTLU_K0KpgWftcndOm0O9SXEas9uKy_OUkPqPDSdCFYUNdA7J3o6VyL2SS5ImVbYTODtLA]adrian.schneider@t...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 2:37 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
> Hi
>
> I think the projects you sketched can be relaized with basic stamps.
> One issue that might drive you to more complex MCUs is if you need
> precise high resolution timing or real multitasking. On the other
> hand if you manage to realize your projects with a basic stamp you can
> benefit from its simple design and easy programming and thus from
>SNIP
>education) or build a board on your own. This is a relatively
> inexpensive way to get some real knowledge about what can be done
> with a stamp.
>
> To get an impression you may want to read an article on my recent
> stamp project which I published in the files section
> (MACS_article.txt)
>
> Regards
> Adrian
low freq (less than 300Hz) open collector squarewave then either speed
the frequency up or slow it down via external programmable means (dip
switches) and output the resultant frequency in open collector form (to
get 5V off state and 0V on state - same as input and same 50% duty
cycle)?
Thanks
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Jim Forkin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=AdYzUjq4w1Lah68d3jl_szeAdCLCARN8nUxEyaiiywUi3rnc9CTzejzX__bRIyTCQKNaWsg]jjf@p...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 7:10 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Intro & question
>
>
> Mike, all you describe can be performed with a little I/O
> circuitry added to
> the stamp. Check out
> http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/ for typical circuitry and pcb.
>
> Jim
for a landscape lighting power supply (a custom built supply).
Basically a light sensor with hysteresis and programmable delay to
shutdown using pushbuttons for hours (just need hours) and an LED
display showing hours and perhaps minutes remaining. So at dark, it
turns on and runs for the set delay. Then remembers the time it came on
and adjusts itself to prevent false triggers such as a real cloudy and
gloomy day. So it comes on either by proper time - if it senses
darkness only 12 hours after it last ran, delay the run for another 12,
or perhaps give it a 24 hour clock.
Thanks
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Allan Lane <allan.lane@h...>
> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=G84d1_s6UmUwGKUhJj0UZDw8xKNYh0w6NCdtHtBBo5CFTFu5LX4-k2C7NQ1EM8ifdNjJCUS9rhw1bQN-stDK-KMZ6bNMJD0]allan.lane@h...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:32 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
>
> In short, Yes, the Stamp and Parallax would be a good place to start
> for a project of this kind. Most of your problems are going to be
> interface-type problems -- driving relays, reading switches, delaying
> a certain time, blinking a few LED's perhaps, an RF interface.
>
> Look at www.parallax.com, in Resources, Nuts and Volts. They have
> many downloadable articles and sample code for a variety of
> interfaces to the Stamp.
>
SNIP
(I've got 486s stacked)<G>. It's a simple thing to program it for
daylight savings time and/or the progression of sunset and sunrise each
day. Then again, in my case, I would prefer having it come on at dusk,
cut off about 11, and then come on about 6:30 until sun up. I don't
need the night light on all night, and this would save power.
By the way, there's a bunch of opto isolators that are scr/triac
oriented which would interface to the ttl quite nicely.
Original Message
From: Mike Schwall [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=aCB92FO9s7lmmT8xWBJUauZNPckVYli-dJze8QR7HCIUHQGnlGBjXZd23ExpA6Kl9-f2R0dTCYc]mschwall@c...[/url
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 2:57 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
Thanks. Another one of my ideas for my own use is to make a controller
for a landscape lighting power supply (a custom built supply). Basically
a light sensor with hysteresis and programmable delay to shutdown using
pushbuttons for hours (just need hours) and an LED display showing hours
and perhaps minutes remaining. So at dark, it turns on and runs for the
set delay. Then remembers the time it came on and adjusts itself to
prevent false triggers such as a real cloudy and gloomy day. So it
comes on either by proper time - if it senses darkness only 12 hours
after it last ran, delay the run for another 12, or perhaps give it a 24
hour clock.
Thanks
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Allan Lane <allan.lane@h...>
> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=J60yc5-yBURhehriF8OPwci-ihgdbAosJuDo06aFlPSmMjxKyqJVzScsxSNn3K-TaOBki3RTOPEygRYDYESVztYorQyNhfY]allan.lane@h...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:32 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
>
> In short, Yes, the Stamp and Parallax would be a good place to start
> for a project of this kind. Most of your problems are going to be
> interface-type problems -- driving relays, reading switches, delaying
> a certain time, blinking a few LED's perhaps, an RF interface.
>
> Look at www.parallax.com, in Resources, Nuts and Volts. They have
> many downloadable articles and sample code for a variety of
> interfaces to the Stamp.
>
SNIP
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Stamp does not really keep time well, but the
DS1302 kit (chip and crystal) is $10 or less,
and the Stamp interface is simple. It also has
31 bytes of RAM in it, you could store the last
'on' time there.
Then of course the Stamp interfaces directly
to a CdS photocell using the RCTime command.
Button reading is built in. There are several
approaches for LED display driving.
Good luck!
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Grover Richardson"
<grover.richardson@g...> wrote:
> I've considered doing that for a long time using a regular computer
> (I've got 486s stacked)<G>. It's a simple thing to program it for
> daylight savings time and/or the progression of sunset and sunrise
each
> day. Then again, in my case, I would prefer having it come on at
dusk,
> cut off about 11, and then come on about 6:30 until sun up. I don't
> need the night light on all night, and this would save power.
>
> By the way, there's a bunch of opto isolators that are scr/triac
> oriented which would interface to the ttl quite nicely.
>
>
Original Message
> From: Mike Schwall [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:mschwall@c...]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 2:57 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
>
> Thanks. Another one of my ideas for my own use is to make a
controller
> for a landscape lighting power supply (a custom built supply).
Basically
> a light sensor with hysteresis and programmable delay to shutdown
using
> pushbuttons for hours (just need hours) and an LED display showing
hours
> and perhaps minutes remaining. So at dark, it turns on and runs
for the
> set delay. Then remembers the time it came on and adjusts itself to
> prevent false triggers such as a real cloudy and gloomy day. So it
> comes on either by proper time - if it senses darkness only 12 hours
> after it last ran, delay the run for another 12, or perhaps give it
a 24
> hour clock.
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
>
> >
Original Message
> > From: Allan Lane <allan.lane@h...>
> > [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:allan.lane@h...]
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:32 AM
> > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
> >
> >
> > In short, Yes, the Stamp and Parallax would be a good place to
start
> > for a project of this kind. Most of your problems are going to
be
> > interface-type problems -- driving relays, reading switches,
delaying
> > a certain time, blinking a few LED's perhaps, an RF interface.
> >
> > Look at www.parallax.com, in Resources, Nuts and Volts. They have
> > many downloadable articles and sample code for a variety of
> > interfaces to the Stamp.
> >
> SNIP
>
>
> 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/
Original Message
> I recommend using a DS1302 for the clock -- the
> Stamp does not really keep time well, but the
> DS1302 kit (chip and crystal) is $10 or less,
> and the Stamp interface is simple. It also has
> 31 bytes of RAM in it, you could store the last
> 'on' time there.
going to the Motorola HC05 or Microchip PIC flavor. Is the Basic Stamp
popular for it's ease or programming or is there something else that
sets it apart?
Thanks
Mike
mschwall@c... writes:
> Whoah...just saw the price for these things. Maybe it would be worth
> going to the Motorola HC05 or Microchip PIC flavor. Is the Basic Stamp
> popular for it's ease or programming or is there something else that
> sets it apart?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
Mike,
For me, the real beauty of the stamp is the ease of programing, the excellent
support from Parallax and members of this forum.
However, I no longer use the stamp because of the price. Darn near everything
I have done with the stamp, I can do with the SX. But it takes longer...that
is writing the program.
I currently use the SX chip. From what I know it is basically a PIC. However,
there is about a $150 "start up" fee.
Advantages of the SX:
Lighting fast compared to the stamp (sometimes that does not matter though)
Much cheaper than the stamp $10 for IC and the resonator
Disadvantage:
Not as easy to program (uses assembly language). However, the programming is
not that hard after a learning curve.
There are probably many other advantages and disadvantages to both, but in my
mind, the ones I mentioned are the most prominent, to me anyway.
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
looking pretty good - and at less than $3 a piece at Digikey for the
features I need, not bad. I don't know assembly, but would like to
learn it, and will probably need to with the PIC or moto 68HC series.
Thanks
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=bWQx1oatmMFwd4dN9zAd533lZ6LsXW4Ut4JzC8KmM11TRhPCGyOtcuedN2Szs2BbG0ttaExhsmoZMw]smartdim@a...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 8:21 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
>
> Mike,
>
> For me, the real beauty of the stamp is the ease of
> programing, the excellent
> support from Parallax and members of this forum.
>
> However, I no longer use the stamp because of the price. Darn
> near everything
> I have done with the stamp, I can do with the SX. But it
> takes longer...that
> is writing the program.
> I currently use the SX chip. From what I know it is basically
> a PIC. However,
> there is about a $150 "start up" fee.
>
> Advantages of the SX:
> Lighting fast compared to the stamp (sometimes that does not
> matter though)
> Much cheaper than the stamp $10 for IC and the resonator
>
> Disadvantage:
> Not as easy to program (uses assembly language). However, the
> programming is
> not that hard after a learning curve.
>
> There are probably many other advantages and disadvantages to
> both, but in my
> mind, the ones I mentioned are the most prominent, to me anyway.
If you're ready to tackle a PIC or equivalent, go for it.
In addition to ease of programming, I'd offer that a Stamp gives you:
- a free, effective and bug-free IDE (no programmer to buy)
- a helpful, widespread and enthusiastic user support community in
addition to Parallax tech support
- you don't have to fight the usual oscillator, power and
programmer gremlins that go along with "bare" microprocessor systems
- a proven, versatile and and very effective programming language
- a very rapid learning curve compared to PICs et al
- extremely fast prototyping capability
- a stable, professional and expert manufacturer
Then throw in what your time is worth, how many you'll be buying and
see what makes sense for you.
Regards,
Steve
On 4 Mar 03 at 20:03, Mike Schwall wrote:
> Whoah...just saw the price for these things. Maybe it would be
> worth going to the Motorola HC05 or Microchip PIC flavor. Is the
> Basic Stamp popular for it's ease or programming or is there
> something else that sets it apart?
mschwall@c... writes:
> I appreciate the help. I'm waist deep in PIC literature and it's
> looking pretty good - and at less than $3 a piece at Digikey for the
> features I need, not bad. I don't know assembly, but would like to
> learn it, and will probably need to with the PIC or moto 68HC series.
>
> Thanks
>
Kind of funny. The SX's I now use don't have some of features of the PIC's,
like built in A/D.
Regarding learning assembly, the documentation from Parallax is pretty good.
They start you out crawling.....(turn an led on and off) and then you go from
there.
Regarding PIC's, does anybody know of good literature or books that help the
begginer to use a PIC?
Ken
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
parkiss@e... writes:
> Mike-
>
> If you're ready to tackle a PIC or equivalent, go for it.
>
> In addition to ease of programming, I'd offer that a Stamp gives you:
>
> - a free, effective and bug-free IDE (no programmer to buy)
>
> - a helpful, widespread and enthusiastic user support community in
> addition to Parallax tech support
>
> - you don't have to fight the usual oscillator, power and
> programmer gremlins that go along with "bare" microprocessor systems
>
> - a proven, versatile and and very effective programming language
>
> - a very rapid learning curve compared to PICs et al
>
> - extremely fast prototyping capability
>
> - a stable, professional and expert manufacturer
>
> Then throw in what your time is worth, how many you'll be buying and
> see what makes sense for you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve
All very true......!!!!!
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
If you want to learn to program the SX chip in assembly language here
are some free resources that we offer:
http://www.parallax.com/sx/downloads.asp
Three books totalling 275 pages.
Also, take a look at James Newton's www.sxlist.com web site.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey, Parallax
Main Web Site: http://www.parallaxinc.com
Educational: http://www.stampsinclass.com
Message: 25
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 00:06:31 EST
From: smartdim@a...
Subject: Re: Re: Intro & question
In a message dated 3/4/2003 8:59:21 PM Pacific Standard Time,
parkiss@e... writes:
> Mike-
>
> If you're ready to tackle a PIC or equivalent, go for it.
>
> In addition to ease of programming, I'd offer that a Stamp gives you:
>
> - a free, effective and bug-free IDE (no programmer to buy)
>
> - a helpful, widespread and enthusiastic user support community in
> addition to Parallax tech support
>
> - you don't have to fight the usual oscillator, power and
> programmer gremlins that go along with "bare" microprocessor systems
>
> - a proven, versatile and and very effective programming language
>
> - a very rapid learning curve compared to PICs et al
>
> - extremely fast prototyping capability
>
> - a stable, professional and expert manufacturer
>
> Then throw in what your time is worth, how many you'll be buying and
> see what makes sense for you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=eyT-xdPtip0hPU4ZCDm5BH6xtChvEf-2zGQb9BN_S96b5yXoAdD2ldbsYhFZJOydIoLaR_PK1ExI8wU]smartdim@a...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 11:05 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
> Kind of funny. The SX's I now use don't have some of features
> of the PIC's,
> like built in A/D.
> Regarding learning assembly, the documentation from Parallax
> is pretty good.
> They start you out crawling.....(turn an led on and off) and
> then you go from
> there.
>
> Regarding PIC's, does anybody know of good literature or
> books that help the
> begginer to use a PIC?
>
> Ken
to go from ideas to products to satisfy the needs and wants mainly in
the automotive environment, for now. The Basic Stamp would be a good
start to learn the mcu environment. To produce, I need something less
expensive or I will be selling the gizmos basically at cost to get a
realistic price. Perhaps I'll get one of the cheaper stamps to play
with and learn the basics and then move up. Like I said I have a good
background in analog, but to put some of my ideas into reality with
analog circuits it gets rather big in a hurry, and some ideas I just
cannot do or do efficiently.
Thanks
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: S Parkis [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=DG3xRtXJC5febnG4t9GGCl08Z1BQedvXhCfaZqkxt4y9YbU3VgR-PJYqNmYiqFUhQsLUoQY-7QdbxpfjMw]parkiss@e...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:56 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
> Mike-
>
> If you're ready to tackle a PIC or equivalent, go for it.
>
> In addition to ease of programming, I'd offer that a Stamp gives you:
>
> - a free, effective and bug-free IDE (no programmer to buy)
>
> - a helpful, widespread and enthusiastic user support community in
> addition to Parallax tech support
>
> - you don't have to fight the usual oscillator, power and
> programmer gremlins that go along with "bare" microprocessor systems
>
> - a proven, versatile and and very effective programming language
>
> - a very rapid learning curve compared to PICs et al
>
> - extremely fast prototyping capability
>
> - a stable, professional and expert manufacturer
>
> Then throw in what your time is worth, how many you'll be buying and
> see what makes sense for you.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve
instant gratification. It will take you a long time to do with them what
almost anyone can do with a Stamp in one evening. There is also the issue of
learning all the stuff related to programming, building up your own board,
etc..., not to mention resources and support.
Parallax has a great deal of free educational materials for the Stamp, and
chances are they have documentation to help you do whatever you want. For a
novice, I would recommend getting a Board of Education complete kit -- not
as cheap as using a PIC and building your own board, but very usable and
practical.
I just started reading "Programming Robot Controllers" by Myke Predko, and
it appears to be a pretty decent beginner book on PIC programming as it
applies to robotics. It even has a CD with all sorts of programming tools
and info on building your own programmer.
Original Message
> I found a good starter article on using a PIC at http://www.voti.nl/swp/
> > Kind of funny. The SX's I now use don't have some of features
> > of the PIC's,
> > like built in A/D.
> > Regarding learning assembly, the documentation from Parallax
> > is pretty good.
> > They start you out crawling.....(turn an led on and off) and
> > then you go from
> > there.
> >
> > Regarding PIC's, does anybody know of good literature or
> > books that help the
> > begginer to use a PIC?
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Rodent [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=iQ6F5RxkF7aD3G6j1RLf1Bhbj0rcTzifLyj4goW94szx68d1KbcEe2AXiVh4b5tFIszDGADTaZCSGQ]daweasel@s...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 11:57 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Intro & question
>
>
> Nothing wrong with a beginner doing PIC's or AVR's, other than lack of
> instant gratification. It will take you a long time to do
> with them what
> almost anyone can do with a Stamp in one evening. There is
>>>SNIP
> I just started reading "Programming Robot Controllers" by
> Myke Predko, and
> it appears to be a pretty decent beginner book on PIC
> programming as it
> applies to robotics. It even has a CD with all sorts of
> programming tools
> and info on building your own programmer.
playing with a stamp and finding them too expensive. Predko is supposed to
be a bit of a guru but I can't make any sense of it...
Try www.sq-1.com
I bought "Easy PIC'n" and "PIC'n up the pace" and got an LCD display hooked
up and doing useful stuff over the first weekend... (that's with no prior
assembler experience) - expensive books and they look over-simplified but
worth the $$$ if you want to get it running....
Matt
> Message: 24
> Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 00:05:10 EST
> From: smartdim@a...
> Subject: Re: Re: Intro & question
>
> In a message dated 3/4/2003 6:32:09 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> mschwall@c... writes:
>
> > I appreciate the help. I'm waist deep in PIC literature and it's
> > looking pretty good - and at less than $3 a piece at Digikey for the
> > features I need, not bad. I don't know assembly, but would like to
> > learn it, and will probably need to with the PIC or moto 68HC series.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
>
> Kind of funny. The SX's I now use don't have some of features of the
PIC's,
> like built in A/D.
> Regarding learning assembly, the documentation from Parallax is pretty
good.
> They start you out crawling.....(turn an led on and off) and then you go
from
> there.
>
> Regarding PIC's, does anybody know of good literature or books that help
the
> begginer to use a PIC?
>
> Ken
>
Thanks for the tip, btw
Mike
>
Original Message
> From: Matt@Home [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=RUim5TkV_gotQwFqRWoarP-Vz_kQBb5H-x5PuQbLVsCsQrBCnlqodSLTUdkLRZLbC11irbJmz7WmchEuOw]matt_swan@b...[/url
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 8:27 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Re: Intro & question
>
>
> I've been there too... I bought the PIC pocket reference
> (by Predko) after
> playing with a stamp and finding them too expensive. Predko
> is supposed to
> be a bit of a guru but I can't make any sense of it...
> Try www.sq-1.com
> I bought "Easy PIC'n" and "PIC'n up the pace" and got an LCD
> display hooked
> up and doing useful stuff over the first weekend... (that's
> with no prior
> assembler experience) - expensive books and they look
> over-simplified but
> worth the $$$ if you want to get it running....
>
> Matt
returned from Europe where I saw an application that used the Stamp to
immobilize a car if the insurance wasn't paid (an RTC was used that forced
the user to enter a code given by the insurance company).
Since you're new to BASIC Stamps, please visit our web site -- there is a
bunch of information (free!) you can download that will help you develop your
application.
-- Jon Williams
-- Parallax
In a message dated 3/4/2003 1:11:02 AM Central Standard Time,
mschwall@c... writes:
> My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the Basic
> stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car alarm/immobilizer.
> I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip switches)
> to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
> activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
> outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay, etc.
> and have the option of expandability to control more items (basically
> control an I/O line that can be tied to external circuitry to perform a
> desired function). I also want the ability to use a magnetic reed
> switch, RF remote, etc. to disable the alarm once your in the vehicle
> (hence the time delay - which also serves to allow the theif to drive it
> a bit then activate the alarm measures).
>
> Would I benefit from learning about the Basic stamp or would learning
> more complex mcu's benefit me more?
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Actually, I think a loud siren *in* the car would be good as well. I noticed
also the Memsic dual-axis accelerometers Parallax was selling have also
found use in car alarms.
Original Message
> The BASIC Stamp could certainly handle the application you describe. I
just
> returned from Europe where I saw an application that used the Stamp to
> immobilize a car if the insurance wasn't paid (an RTC was used that forced
> the user to enter a code given by the insurance company).
>
> Since you're new to BASIC Stamps, please visit our web site -- there is a
> bunch of information (free!) you can download that will help you develop
your
> application.
> > My first question for this list is to give the green flag if the Basic
> > stamp is capable of being the brain of a simple car alarm/immobilizer.
> > I want it to have a programmable delay (via thumbwheel or dip switches)
> > to set the delay from several seconds up to a few minutes before
> > activation of alarm measures. I also want it to control multiple
> > outputs - from a horn pulser to siren driver to starter kill relay, etc.
> > and have the option of expandability to control more items (basically
> > control an I/O line that can be tied to external circuitry to perform a
> > desired function). I also want the ability to use a magnetic reed
> > switch, RF remote, etc. to disable the alarm once your in the vehicle
> > (hence the time delay - which also serves to allow the theif to drive it
> > a bit then activate the alarm measures).
> >
> > Would I benefit from learning about the Basic stamp or would learning
> > more complex mcu's benefit me more?
>
>
>
> [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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