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Adding PIC Co-processor — Parallax Forums

Adding PIC Co-processor

kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
edited 2006-02-23 16:22 in BASIC Stamp
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·········· This is probably not the correct place for this question, but if someone knows and can give me some info. That would be great! I am thinking of getting a PIC Programmer so that I can add PIC’s as coprocessors to my projects and take some of the load off the basic stamp. Can changes be made to PIC programs and the PIC’s themselves be reprogrammed as easy as a Basic Stamp Module or does a PIC have to be erased in some manner before it can be reprogrammed? If anyone has done any work with PIC’s and can give me an answer I sure would appreciate it.

Comments

  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-02-23 14:27
    I would recommend using the SX chip.

    Parallax has made several "helper/app" chips for the basic stamp and Prop-1 using the SX. And I believe the code is available for them.

    Bean.

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    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

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  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-02-23 14:28
    There may be exceptions, but I think that PICs are WORMs (write-once, read-many.)
  • Tom WalkerTom Walker Posts: 509
    edited 2006-02-23 14:29
    PICs with an 'F' in their number (i.e. 16F84A, 16F877, etc...) are "flash" and can easily be re-programmed at will with the right programmer. Many programmers are available and you could probably build one yourself...Google is your friend...

    It must be mentioned that the SX chip, another Parallax product, fits the "co-processor" bill quite nicely. It is quick, has great documentation and support, can be programmed in assembly or a very PBASIC-like dialect (again, provided and supported for free by Parallax and these fora), and the only hardware you need to program them is just $30.

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  • kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
    edited 2006-02-23 14:34
    Wow, alot of replies and ideas. THanks to ALL
  • cyberbiotacyberbiota Posts: 79
    edited 2006-02-23 14:53
    Ken-

    All Williams makes a line of PIC-based co-processors for the Stamp, if you aren't dying to roll your own (http://www.awce.com). As Tom said, any PIC with an F in it has a Flash memory and can be re-programmed MANY times.

    peter

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    Director, Research and Technology
    CyberBiota, Incorporated
    Peter.charles@cyberbiota.com
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  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2006-02-23 14:56
    kenwtn -

    There are also PICs which can be set up to be re-programmed without the aid of a separate harware programmer. Check the MicroChip web site for complete information regarding ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming) for more details. Here are just the MicroChip Applications Notes on that topic:
    http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1490&filterID=386

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates

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  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-02-23 16:22
    Still, the SX really has an easier learning curve as less to read, less variety to sort out, don't have to buy Basic software [noparse][[/noparse]if that is what you want], and so on.

    Just buy the Blitz and use SX/B or buy the whole package and read a few books.

    Take a look at www.sxlist.com for software support.

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