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Arduino Report for a propeller user — Parallax Forums

Arduino Report for a propeller user

Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
edited 2012-07-22 18:06 in Propeller 1
Ok, so I've got to use an Arduino for several projects because it is being required of us to use it...

I'm not writing this thread to knock another microcontroller, but here are my impressions:

I really miss the propeller's symmetry, object-based library, excellent bit manipulation, easy binary/hex/decimal use, multiple cogs, video debugging, speed/memory and more.

Here seem to be the Arduino strengths:
- Nice website with excellent get started/learning library (more elegant than parallax's multiple sites)
- floating point built in
- easy string and float manipulation
- EEPROM data storage and no need for external eeprom
- built in ADCs
- micro version at sparkfun does USB (and can emulate keyboard, game controller)
- built in powerful ethernet server commands (with ethernet module, though)-
- more commands built in and they are less cryptic (though they are sometimes too verbose)

Nearly everything else feels like a big step backwards
- very limited RAM (lots of program space)
- pins have specific assignments for certain things (and run out faster as a consequence)
- Commands are less flexible for hardware hacking, especially binary stuff
- overly dependent on expensive add-on boards to do powerful things
- feels a bit more powerful than a STAMP and easier, but two orders of magnitude less powerful than a prop
- it doesn't really feel easier to use now that I'm more accustomed to SPIN (string handling is a major exception to this)
- I find myself missing the obex and the prop object library (Nice to choose specific functions)
- no SD card storage/launching, no wav player, no video
- no take a range of pins and output a binary number to them without a loop (as far as I know)
- Not too cheap (I buy prop proto boards in packs of 5 or chip/eeprom/crystal sets)
- Too slow to do lots of stuff

Arduino advantages that aren't
- There is a hyper proliferation of chips/packages - too many
- The shields make it easy for people to attach things without wiring but add on boards cost a fortune
- licensing limitations on some aspects of commercial products
- doesn't really seem more open than propeller (which has open source hardware, IDEs etc) - both on proprietary closed chips (which is fine)
- It isn't as easy to get going as I was told (but is still pretty easy, but basic stamp is easier (for really simple things only))
- Interrupts - I don't miss them at all thanks to multiple propeller COGs

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-07-21 19:42
    I've had an Arduino for a little over a month now but I still haven't used it yet. I've used a couple of AVR's chips though.

    One thing that's nice about the Arduino you didn't mention is the way the pins can be pulled high as inputs from software. It's convenient not to need to add external pull-up resistors.
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-07-21 19:47
    I just like C/C++. Its a blessing to have code optimization. Stdio support has been really helpful for a CMUcam4 interface library I've been writing for the Arduino.

    Thanks,
  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2012-07-22 03:16
    Kye wrote: »
    I just like C/C++. Its a blessing to have code optimization. Stdio support has been really helpful for a CMUcam4 interface library I've been writing for the Arduino.

    Thanks,

    Should probably add to Arduino strengths: both 5V and 3V3 versions available, through-hole version of chip nice and compact (28 pins).

    A thought just occurred to me: has anyone made a board with both a Prop and a ATmega328 on it? Could use Prop to drive video/audio for Arduino sketches, or alternatively use the ATmega to provide ADC and 5V I/O for the Prop.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-07-22 03:30
    There is a Chameleon board with something like that on it, and another with a Propeller and a 16-bit PIC.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-07-22 07:27
    Yes 5V is nice. the stand alone 28pin chips could serve as a replacement for the SX, though I've got a huge stockpile of SX chips....
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,519
    edited 2012-07-22 07:50
    Mark_T wrote: »
    Should probably add to Arduino strengths: both 5V and 3V3 versions available, through-hole version of chip nice and compact (28 pins).

    A thought just occurred to me: has anyone made a board with both a Prop and a ATmega328 on it? Could use Prop to drive video/audio for Arduino sketches, or alternatively use the ATmega to provide ADC and 5V I/O for the Prop.
    You've just described Andre' Lamothe's Chameleon AVR. He also has a version with a 16 bit PIC chip on it that is much nicer. Lots more flash and SRAM for one thing.

    AVR version: http://www.xgamestation.com/view_product.php?id=51

    PIC version: http://www.xgamestation.com/view_product.php?id=52
  • Martin HodgeMartin Hodge Posts: 1,246
    edited 2012-07-22 09:46
    And if you want to use the propeller with some of those "expensive add-on boards to do powerful things"...

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  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-07-22 17:39
    It's not so much to me about specific capabilities or even a direct comparison of features. What I'm getting at is that making things with a multiprocessing system and objects (limited ones) is a substantially different experience than traditional microcontrollers. So much so that once you really get used to it, other micros seem alien, archaic or something - but I don't like having to go back.
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-07-22 18:06
    What's normally done is emulating multiprocessing through timer interrupts.

    The issue with this is that all your code shares the same processor. So, you have to be careful if trying to design the system to work robustly in a real time environment. With enough MIPs this becomes less of an issue as long as you aren't pushing the processor to hard.

    Thanks,
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