32 bit integers

Tristan T

Hello,
I was wondering if there is a graceful way to represent 32 bit integers on the basic stamp, specifically the BS2px. I have a navigation sensor that returns 2800 counts per meter, so I quickly run into the (2^16)/2 limit. I would prefer not to simply dump 2 significant figures, because the refresh rate of the sensor is very quick, returning very small values that I sum into my TotalX variable. At given intervals I take the TotalX figure and ** it by a scalar to get a meter representation of the distance traveled.

Suggestions?

Thank you in advance,
Tristan.

Ryan Clarke

You can always span data across multiple variables- like you can create a word from two bytes, etc. The trick is in keeping the code clean such that the 'assembly' of the two halves is done correctly.

Ryan

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ryan Clarke
Parallax Tech Support

RClarke@Parallax.com

Tristan T

I suppose I was asking for an "easier" solution than that, although it isn't too bad.

Is there a hardware limitation to the number of bits that can be assigned to a single variable name, or is it just a limitation of PBASIC? I understand that a PIC is only 8 bits, but if PBASIC supports 16bit words, then it would appear that the 16 bit maximum is just a support choice rather than a real limitation. I'm studying mechanical engineering so please forgive my ignorance of microcontrollers.

-Tristan

Tristan T

I feel silly replying to my own comment, but posted in another thread was this guide to 32 bit math for the BS2:

http://www.emesystems.com/BS2math6.htm

Hopefully it will be easier to find with this thread name for other people looking for 32 bit integer operations.
-Tristan