Where to start with Microcontrollers!!!!!!!!

tlotrains · 2007-10-09 19:30

HELLO,
········ This is my first entry. I am looking to get into microcontrollers, but where do I Start?· Is Basic or some version preferred or C· or What? I do want to get into some small projects, but I prefer not have out of date components. What would you recommend? I want to hook up to a computer to eventually interface with model trains or accessories. I am also looking to interface with household items such as lights etc! I would appreciate anyones opinion based on experience that you could give me direction.........·Thank You! tlotrains@aol.com............

Mike Green · 2007-10-09 19:52

Download and look through a couple of things:
Parallax Stamp Manual : www.parallax.com/dl/docs/prod/stamps/web-BSM-v2.2.pdf

What's a Microcontroller : www.parallax.com/dl/docs/books/edu/wamv2_2.pdf

Look through the Nuts and Volts columns: www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/nvcolumns/Nuts_Volts_Downloads.asp

They'll all give you basic information about what the Stamp microcontrollers are all about and a
variety of projects (especially in the columns) that have been done with them. They'll also give
you practical examples of how to do things like read sensors and control motors / lights / etc.

Parallax's Stamps are all programmed in a dialect of Basic. The components don't really get out
of date. The BS1, though quite limited in capabilities, is still sold and supported and is very
appropriate to use in some circumstances. For example, EFX-TEK sells a BS1-based special
effects controller that was only put on the market in the last 2 years.

D Faust · 2007-10-09 20:50

I started with the boe-bot·kit·in April·and find that it gave me a great start with the BASIC stamp2.· I must say that these forums work wonders as well.· The propeller is the newest microcontroller by parallax, but it requires a little extra circuitry and there are less examples fo it.··Chips are categorized more by skill level not date.· First comes the stamp and then the prop or sx.· If you are the type of person that won't be satisfied with leds blinking and buzzers beeping then the boe-bot is for you.· If you are fine with blinking leds then try the What's A Microcontroller book (I have not used it, but·have read it's good).

FlowChart:

1) Start with boe-bot or WAM? kit

2) Research various commands (in help file)·and take part in the forums.· (With a stamp the "BASIC Stamp", "Robotics", "Sandbox", and "Completed projects" forums are good to monitor)

3) Keep turning out projects

4) When the stamp is firmly under your belt, you consider yourself decently fluent in PBASIC, and the stamp isn't powerful enough for you;·look into the SX and propeller chips to see which one will work for you the best.·

{This is my view I'm sure somebody will disagree}

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Where to start with Microcontrollers!!!!!!!!

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