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Question about the SX — Parallax Forums

Question about the SX

Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
edited 2005-11-27 15:21 in General Discussion
I am kind of confused about the differences between the SX chip and the BS2PX.
I do realize that the SX uses a different language, what language is it?


Is the SX better for certain situations than a BS2PX?

Anyone have examples that would help me understand in what kind of situations one is better than the other?

Comments

  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-11-27 11:03
    The BS2sx is a really a single-board-computer in a DIP format; it includes a core microcontroller (the SX28) to run the PBASIC interpreter, a resonator to clock the chip, an EEPROM to store your compiled PBASIC program and nonvolatile user data, a power supply, and the programming connection which makes it a simple task to connect to the PC for programming (nothing special required).· Note that the BS2sx can only be programmed in PBASIC.

    The SX (SX18, SX28, SX48, SX52) is a microcontroller that programs in SX assembly code, and has other languages available for it (SX/B, for example, is very much like PBASIC and·compiles to SX assembly code).· It is up to you to connect an appropriate clock source, an EEPROM if you need nonvolatile storage for your program, etc.· The SX requires the SX-Key or SX-Blitz for programming.

    With the BS2sx you get speed of development; the module is ready-to-go and the programming language is simple to use.· With the raw SX development time is longer, but the payoff is in execution speed.· So, it's up to you?· Do you have an application that needs to be ready next week and doesn't require extraordinary execution speed?· Then the BS2sx might be the best way to go.· If, however, you've got time to develop the circuit and code, and you need execution speed that is not available on an interpreted controller like the BS2sx then it is worth buying the development tools and taking the time to learn the SX.

    In the end they are both just tools.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2005-11-27 11:39
    Hmm, I think I'll step up from my BS2, to a BS2PX. I think that difference will help me see if my program really does run differently on different speed chips, see if my "situations" can really benefit from going as far as SX development.

    It looks like the SX is for people that want to mass produce products based on microcontrollers, or people that want to make projects with
    a microcontroller in it, but not dedicate a 50$ BS2 to every single project.
    i.e. - after many projects that require a BS2, the price for the development tools pays for its-self?

    Did I catch the reasoning behind why people choose a SX over the BS2's?
  • T&E EngineerT&E Engineer Posts: 1,396
    edited 2005-11-27 12:32
    BPM,

    I agree with you too. I just recently upgraded from a BS2 to a BS2PX (missed the Holiday deadline with UPS). Delivery is Monday. I also have a SX Tech Tool Kit PRO (with the Professional Development Board - PDB) for use with the BS2 series OR SX28. I have the both options and the PDB is more money but worth it with all the "extras" built into the board for development.

    I like the BS2 for easiness of use and the BS2PX is almost 5 times faster too. I don't know how it will compare with the SX28 yet.

    The SX28 is not too bad when using SX/B (BASIC like) code but developing on the BS2 series is easier to do and then convert it over to SX/B if you want more speed (using either SX/B or Assembler)

    I hope to develop on the BS2PX first because it is easier to program. Then once it is working well, I can convert it into SX/B code (BASIC like code) for the SX28. Eventually I will get a better grasp on SX28 Assembly and go further in development.
  • RsadeikaRsadeika Posts: 3,837
    edited 2005-11-27 15:21
    BPM,

    It really depends on what you plan to do. I started out with the BS2IC, for my project, a mobile robot, with very limited devices to control, as a start,·this was a good solution. As I started to think about other things my robot would do, meaning more devices, I/O was becomming a critical choice. Speed of the processor would only help in terms of making a huge program execute a little faster, in my case. Since, I plan somewhere down the road, to have the robot start making decissions, then interrupts, basis of tasking and threading, becomes a critical part. For me the solution is leaning more to the·SX side.

    If you plan on testing or building little circuits, then possibly a BS2IC is all that you really need. In the hands of an expert, I suppose you could really make a BS2IC really shine. Bean has a video card that he sells, now I suppose he could of built the circuit around a BS2IC, but there is a marketing price that has to be considered.

    If I have any advice, sit down and really try to define what it is that you really want to do. If it is an educational process, then a BS2IC would probably suffice, if it is other things, make sure you understand the problem before you run off and purchase a solution, unless of course time and money are no objects of concern.

    If I had to do it over again, purchase the PDB, BS2P, and a couple of SX28's.
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