microcontroller advice

Comments

• Steve Joblin Posts: 784

  2007-01-05 01:40 edited 2007-01-05 01:40

  If you are looking for the best place to start, you absolutely want the Parallax BoeBot... simply stated, it is the best. It will give you a great intro to microcontrollers and robotics with all the support and help you need!
• Kevin Wood Posts: 1,266

  2007-01-05 02:09 edited 2007-01-05 02:09

  Here is a paper that you might be interested in reading: www.ganssle.com/geek.htm
• Franklin Posts: 4,747

  2007-01-05 04:10 edited 2007-01-05 04:10

  If you plan to get into the embedded field with an actual product the sx chips and the propeller will give you more bang for your buck but for ease of programming and a great way to prototype the stamp can't be beat (well, not on this forum anyway)
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  - Stephen
• hacktorious Posts: 72

  2007-01-05 17:25 edited 2007-01-05 17:25

  I was thinking of something a little less expensive: http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=90005
  
  My only concern is that it is MS based.
  
  What advantages does the basic stamp have over the javelin?
  
  Post Edited (hacktorious) : 1/5/2007 5:29:52 PM GMT
• Kevin Wood Posts: 1,266

  2007-01-05 18:38 edited 2007-01-05 18:38

  Since you are new to microcontrollers, I would suggest starting with a Basic Stamp based kit, instead of the Javelin.
  
  The Javelin is a bit more advanced, but there is far more educational material available for the Basic Stamps, which is what you need at this point.
  
  As for Linux, see the Linux downloads here: www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/software/software_basic_stamp.asp
  
  You can also download the PBasic tokenizer, in the event that you want to build your editor, integrate with Eclipse, etc.
• hacktorious Posts: 72

  2007-01-05 20:11 edited 2007-01-05 20:11

  Hmmmm, I think I have determined I would like either the Basic Stamp Discovery Kit, or the Boe-Bot kit. I am wondering if the discovery kit would be better to start with because it is more specific to microcontrollers. I would expect if I get the discovery kit I could easily adapt my skills and knowledge to robotics. Any comments? Thanks.
• Kevin Wood Posts: 1,266

  2007-01-05 21:21 edited 2007-01-05 21:21

  I suggest that you get the Boe-Bot, or even better, the MS Robotics Studio Boe-Bot kit. It's basically a Boe-Bot with some accessories at a very good price. It's designed for .Net developers to get the necessary pieces in one box to use the Boe-Bot with MS Robotics Studio, but it doesn't require any .Net interaction.
  
  The Boe-Bot is only slightly more difficult than the "What's a Microcontroller" course, and you can do many (probably most) of the WaM projects with the parts that come with the Boe-Bot. All you would need to do is download the WaM pdf, and work through the exercises.
• hacktorious Posts: 72

  2007-01-05 22:36 edited 2007-01-05 22:36

  Oh, I was under the impression I could not easily do the WaM stuff with the Boe-Bot kit. I guess it would make sense that you could though. I just took a look and I would most likely have to buy a few extra bits and pieces, and maybe the Basic Stamp System and Reference Manual. I think your right about this being a better choice though.
  
  I avoid MS like the plague, so I will not go with the MS Robotics Studio. However, I will go with the Boe-Bot. I could probably find most of the additional components at Radio Shack. Hopefully the Linux tools work too.
  
  Thanks.
  
  Do you know if there is a list of the contents of these kits anywhere? I would like to buy the WaM stuff at the same time.
  
  Post Edited (hacktorious) : 1/5/2007 11:10:18 PM GMT
• hacktorious Posts: 72

  2007-01-05 23:18 edited 2007-01-05 23:18

  Cool, I just found a list in the WaM guide.
• Steph Lindsay Posts: 767

  2007-01-05 23:40 edited 2007-01-05 23:40

  Hello hacktorious,
  
  When you make your order (if you haven't already) you can purchase the WAM parts kit·for $39,
  
  http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28122
  
  ...or most of the components individually to fill in on what is not included with the Boe-Bot Full Kit:
  
  http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/edu/curriculum/sic_wam.asp
  
  -Stephanie Lindsay
  
  Editor, Parallax Inc.
• Kevin Wood Posts: 1,266

  2007-01-06 01:56 edited 2007-01-06 01:56

  Here is a link to the Robotics Studio Kit: www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28118
  
  As I mentioned, you don't need to use Visual Studio or .Net with the kit, unless you want to. The benefit of this kit vs. the Boe-Bot full kit is that you also get the Serial-USB adapter, and the Bluetooth appmod, for less money than buying the parts seperately.
  
  In other words, it's a bargain! If you want to read more about the concept behind it, check out this thread:
  http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=615722
  
  Another book that you might be interested in downloading is the "Applied Robotics with the SumoBot" It makes a good complement to the Boe-Bot manual.
  
  Post Edited (Kevin Wood) : 1/6/2007 2:01:15 AM GMT
• hacktorious Posts: 72

  2007-01-06 03:00 edited 2007-01-06 03:00

  Thanks for the link.
  
  I realize upload speed is one advantage, but what are other advantages of USB compared to serial?
  
  I found some serial Boe-Bots on clearance for about $25 less than the USB version.
• Kevin Wood Posts: 1,266

  2007-01-06 03:39 edited 2007-01-06 03:39

  There won't be any speed advantage, since the transfer speed is fixed at 9600 for the programming port. The basic factor that you need to consider is whether or not your computer has a serial port. Some newer pcs & laptops don't have them.
  
  In another post, the general consensus was that the serial (non-usb) version was more flexible in application, since you could connect to other serial devices via the connector. Here's the thread: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=593834