Getting started
StarMan
Posts: 306
I have never used or programmed an SX but·I see one in my near future.· My programming skills are limited so SX/B sounds like it may be the ticket.· But I'm not sure where to start.· What I would ultimately like to do is control high current LEDs with PWM.· I only have limited understanding of PWM.· I have seen Bean's post in the Projects forum and I only partially understand the program.· I have no clue at this time how I would control a high current LED.
My real questions here for this thread are:·What is the best way to learn SX programming - and - PWM control?· Do all of the SX chips program the same?· What's the best SX chip for PWM (1000Hz is the recommended frequency)?· What's the best development board?· What are the recommended books to read?
I'm not necessarily on a tight $ budget for this but I don't want to spend more than I have to.· My time budget is really tight so I'd like to get the right equipment right from the start.
Thanks,
Chris I.
My real questions here for this thread are:·What is the best way to learn SX programming - and - PWM control?· Do all of the SX chips program the same?· What's the best SX chip for PWM (1000Hz is the recommended frequency)?· What's the best development board?· What are the recommended books to read?
I'm not necessarily on a tight $ budget for this but I don't want to spend more than I have to.· My time budget is really tight so I'd like to get the right equipment right from the start.
Thanks,
Chris I.
Comments
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
You talked me into it.· I've been eyeing one of those PDBs since they came out.· And I couldn't resist buying a couple of the new $9.95 SX48 boards as well.
Anyone out there know of a concise primer on PWM?
Chris I.
Seriously, have you tried Google first before asking for someone to help you? You know the old parable about teaching a man to fish? Here's your fishing pole:
Type PWM into Google and if you still can't find anything, then post a message here.
I did it and found two great looking hits on the first page. I'd post the links here, but then I wouldn't be teaching you how to fish, would I?
Thanks, PeterM
I am aware of google.
I'm sure you're aware of Google. I wanted to know if you had used it first before asking for help. Furthermore, I told you that I had tried it using the keyword "PWM" and found two really good looking hits. Did you take my advice or just shine me on?
Thanks, PeterM
question.··Isn't this a learning envoriment?··Perhaps·its better to not
post sometimes, rather than being·abrasive.
Heres to "SHINNING YOU ON".
P.S.·I'd like learn a little more about PWM. If I come across any thing·worth
mentioning I'll leave a·link.·
Also, I'm looking at getting into the SXs also.
Hopefully I can post a quesion without ridicul.
Good Luck
Gordon
Post Edited (GRC) : 7/3/2005 5:35:59 AM GMT
Ridicule is spelled with an 'e' on the end.·· [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Seriously, I think one can go through life being thin-skinned or not.· It looks to me like Peter is saying that to find a good resource on PWM, simply Google it.· It's a well documented technique and good·information is easily found on Google.
It's as simple as that.
Nate
Post Edited (Nate) : 7/3/2005 10:59:56 AM GMT
there is no reason to be afraid posting questions here. But - in my opinion - this is a forum section dedicated to the SX controller. You can be sure that you will get answers on SX-related questions from many people in the forum, including Peter. If you look at Peter's total posts counter, you will notice that he is one of the "frequent posters", IOW he is willing to help.
On the other hand, when you post a question like "I want to use the SX to PWM drive LEDs but I have no clue how PWM works, and what it is", you should understand that this is not the right place to teach basiscs, like what PWM is (maybe, the "Sandbox" forum section would be a better place for such questions). Nevertheless, Peter even tried to help with the basics by giving the tip on Google. I tried it, typed PWM in Google, and got to links to helpful information about PWM on the first page. I can understand that Peter got frustrated when the only answer on his Google tip was "I'm aware of Google".
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Greetings from Germany,
G
There are a lot of really smart and helpful people on these forums whose opinions have great value here.··Getting a recommendation from one or more of these people·can be·worth its weight in gold compared to a Google search.· Google, although valuable for what it is,·does not care if it returns good information or trash.··
I use Google every day to search· a lot of different subjects (including PWM).··Very often it precludes me from posting to a forum and sometimes not.· But why not ask?· It does no harm.· We all might learn something.
And, thanks again to Jon Williams for his response to my primary question.·
Chris I.
in your very first post, you stated:
"I only have limited understanding of PWM. I have seen Bean's post in the Projects forum and I only partially understand the program. I have no clue at this time how I would control a high current LED."
So the "lurking helpers" in this forum must have gotten the impression that the best way "bootstrapping" you would be to provide you with some fundamental information on PWM. Well, now I speak for myself but I think, I speak for others too:
I make my living on SX projects and other stuff. Reading and answering questions on the forum requires time that I can't use for any money-generating work - I don't get paid for my forum activities, and I don't want to get paid for it. Supporting the SX and its users is important to keep it (them?) viable, and this is what I want to support.
Therefore, it is only natural that forum members helping others try to do this most effectively in a minimum of time. Taking the PWM example - why should Peter write a long essay (thus re-inventing the wheel) about PWM basics when well-suited information about this topic is publicly available elsewhere, like at Google.
You say that you use Google every day to search a lot different subjects including PWM, so I'm pretty sure you came across the article at www.netrino.com/Publications/Glossary/PWM.html and others.
In your last post, you say: "Really now. Is there anything wrong with asking for a recommendation for reference material?"
My answer is "nope", there is nothing wrong at all but a good recommendation can also be the tip to "Google" for such material when it is obviously available there, like in this case.
Having said that, let's all calm down a bit - this is a technical, and not an emotional forum!
Chris, if you have any problems understanding PWM after having read the docs available through Google, please feel free at any time to post detailed questions here (more detailed than "I have no clue"). You can be sure, there will be valuable answers - the same is true when it comes to implementing PWM on an SX and driving high-current LEDs (I think that was your project). I've done some SX PWM projects driving DC motors consuming up to 15 Amps @ 24 Volts - this is definitely more than a high-power LED "eats"
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Greetings from Germany,
G
The Parallax forums has a reputation to keep.
In future I recommend the approach Jon always takes.
"quote
Google is your friend,
URL
URL
End quote"
Subtle but gets the point across.
Google is your friend,
www.interq.or.jp/japan/se-inoue/e_pic6_b.htm
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- - - PLJack - - -
Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
Post Edited (PLJack) : 7/4/2005 10:30:41 AM GMT