A few quick questions for a SX newbie.
ShootPaint
Posts: 9
I have been playing around with the Stamps for sometime now and have become semi-versed with them. I however have found they simply lack the memory that I need to construct a program that allows for all of the option I want to include with my controller. I have been reading about the SX chips and they look very appealing to me, the SX48BD and the SX52BD.
My main question involves the programming of these chips. I understand they can be programmed in circuit but does this mean we have to build a circuit to program them or is there a·education kit that we can use for these chips, like the stamps? I have seen a kit availible for the SX28 but dont want to purchase this kit due to the reduced size of the memory on the chip. I want to be able to take full advantage of the additional space in the SX48BD and the SX52BD.
I am sure I will never use all of the IO pins but the simple fact of the additional memory is what makes this chip so appealing.
Thanks in advance for any information you maybe able to supply.
Post Edited (ShootPaint) : 6/7/2005 2:20:01 AM GMT
My main question involves the programming of these chips. I understand they can be programmed in circuit but does this mean we have to build a circuit to program them or is there a·education kit that we can use for these chips, like the stamps? I have seen a kit availible for the SX28 but dont want to purchase this kit due to the reduced size of the memory on the chip. I want to be able to take full advantage of the additional space in the SX48BD and the SX52BD.
I am sure I will never use all of the IO pins but the simple fact of the additional memory is what makes this chip so appealing.
Thanks in advance for any information you maybe able to supply.
Post Edited (ShootPaint) : 6/7/2005 2:20:01 AM GMT
Comments
The programmer to load the SX28 is also used to program the SX48/52 as well as the smaller units. In fact, the whole dang family. Furthermore, it real-time debugs all of them to boot.
You can't go wrong. Buy the SX Key and the Professional Development Board if you can affor that, otherwise an SX Key and one of the smaller development boards.
If you are into squeezing a lot out of a little, then the SX family is your answer.
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
Anyway back to your original question, in order to program the SX you need a device known as the SX key which parallax sells seperately or with any SX starter/programming kit.· You could build your own programmer but franky the SX Key is worth the money.
Just·a quick caution, I don't know how famaliar you are with microcontrollers in general, but programming the SX is not the same as programming the stamp.·Parallax does offer the SX/B compiler which is a·great tool but·bebugging is still done in assembly. Now I'm not trying to discourage you but it's just something to think about.
And last but not least have you considered a stamp with more memory? The Basic Stamp 2 E, P, PE and PX all have more program memory then the plain Basic Stamp 2, 16K divided into 8 2K program slots.· The PE also has an extra 16K of EEPROM just for data.
Just a couple of things to keep in mind, if you decide to go the SX route as Peter put it you can't go wrong with the SX key.
Chris
Post Edited (CPUMAN) : 6/7/2005 5:10:14 AM GMT
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I am not a master with the stamps, I will give you that, but I feel I can learn the SX chip if given enough time and a little kick in the butt. I have several years of programming in devices that work much like PLC's. The major difference in these devices is the language. I have noticed this in almost all of the controllers I have checked out. Everything pretty well seems to work on the same basic logic that I am acustom to. The biggest task is learning the language for this controller.
As far as a soldering iron goes I am fairly comfortable with one of those[noparse]:)[/noparse] I make wiring harnesses day in and day out for several custom application, not to mention being a electronic tech for a scale company provides me the chance encounter with a iron from time to time [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Again thank you guys for all the input. I think I will look at getting a Tech board in the near future to start learning this chip.
Just a thought - might influence your decision on buying the SX key....having those boards at a the low price points mentioned will be a great way to put your SX key to use!
Ryan