SX18AC Stache programming....

houtxcowboy

Hello everyone, this is my first post in here.

I have been an avid Basic Stamp programmer, developer, etc etc for many years.
I am looking at jumping to the SX line of micro-controller chips and planning on using the SX/B Basic compiler to help me in this transition.


MY question to the forum group,
Has anyone ever re-programmed the Stache micro-programmer since it is based on the Scenix SX18AC chip as reported by EME Systems website. They might have updated the chip and just never updated their web-page for it.

I have a potential application in were I need a dongle type device to talk to a serial RS232 console port, analyze some ASCII text data, and send some commands when a button is pressed. I use the Stache units all the time both for my person hobby projects and at work for appliances we build that use the BS2P24-IC. I have never popped opened the case on one, but from EME Systems website there is a place for header pins to connect an SX-Key or SX-Blitz.

http://www.emesystems.com/stache.htm
http://www.emesystems.com/stache_tech_dat.htm

I understand if I proceed in doing this that I will loose the original Stache firmware that it comes with and might end up with a dead Stache. But this could be a quick way for me to overcome some headaches, and not having to manufacture the hardware for a smart dongle device could be a big plus. Just change the code on how it operates and Wah La!!!

So has anyone any direct or even indirect experience in doing or playing with these little Stache units?

Thanks,
HouTxCowboy

John Couture

What you might want to try FIRST is to get an SX28 (about $3) and build a prototype. The SX18 is exactly the same except that it only has Port A and Port B (the SX28 also has a Port C). In other words, before you trash the $120 stache, you might want to see if you can do what you want to do.

Having said that, EME Systems is run by one of the regular contributors (Tracy Allen) to this list.·Just send him a private message directly.

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John J. Couture

San Diego Miramar College

Tracy Allen

HouTxCowboy,

The Stache now uses the SX20, not the SX18, same thing really except for the chip package.

There is in fact a set of 4 holes in the PCB for programming the chip, and that would allow you to repurpose it. The serial port is bidirectional, in the sense that it can act both as DCE and DTE, which it has to do on one hand to emulate a Stamp (DCE), and then later to emulate a PC (DTE). The pushbutton can reset the SX20, and subsequently the SX20 can monitor how long the button is held down, in order to select different functions, and there is a bicolor LED for user feedback. So it sounds like it might work fine for what you want to do. If you lose the Stache firmware and later want it back, I'd be happy to burn it back in for you.

-- Tracy

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Tracy Allen
www.emesystems.com