which is best controller to start

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deevan

Joined: 17 Feb 2004
Posts: 1

17 Feb 2004 6:57 which is best controller to start

hi

I wants to start work on micro controllers please guide me which is the best controller to start work as i am new commer in uc world and which is the best tool for me

pisoiu

Joined: 31 Dec 2002
Posts: 729
Helped: 24
Location: Romania

17 Feb 2004 7:06 Re: which is best controller to start

Hi,
Try 8051 family. It is widespread, you can find a lot of books for assembly or C programming, system integration. It is easy to use, rapid learning, and covers a lot of possible embedded applications. Also it is cheap, try flash microcontrollers 89c2051 (small pin count) or 89c52 (large pin count) from atmel. Programmers are cheap either, or if you want you can build one for yourself.

FoxyRick

Joined: 09 Jan 2004
Posts: 597
Helped: 35

17 Feb 2004 11:26 Re: which is best controller to start

Really, it depends on what you want to acheive. Do you want to learn for fun (a hobby) or as a career to earn your keep?

If it's a career you're after, have a browse around the web and see what people are putting in their products. 8051-type MCU's are probably most popular. Even though the basic architecture is very old, modern 8051 chips have lots of enhancements (even up to built-in ethernet, eg. Dallas DS80C400 - I like this chip!).

The best advice for your career would, in my opinion, be to choose a popular, recent MCU and *stick with it*, learn everything about it and become an expert on that one range of chips. Don't spread yourself too thin by trying to learn many different types. A good saying: "Jack of all trades, Master of None"

On the other hand, if your interests are more hobbiest, then the most important aspects are price, usability and availability in small quantities. PIC's are probably the best for a beginner to play with, and there are a lot of varieties of them for different projects. Atmel are good too, and a bit faster if that's what you need. PIC's and Atmel's also come in easy to use DIP packages, many of the other varieties only come in surface mount.

I only do this for a hobby, although I take it very seriously. I use a lot of PIC's simply because I have a very cheap source of them and they are easy to use. Really, I prefer a nice, powerful 8051-based core, like Texas MSC12xx or Dallas DS80Cxxx, or a RISC core, like Texas MSP430Fxxx - these are much more fun!

Software for most parts is available free to try (usually limited time or memory), some free software is quite powerful (gcc etc), but to really get the best out of an MCU, learn assembler. Even if you still code mainly in C, understanding the MCU's machine code and internals gives you an edge.

Decide what you want to do, then choose accordingly. Ask for some free samples and get the free software, have a play and see if you like your choice. If not, try another.

Cheers,
FoxyRick.

mrm

Joined: 11 Dec 2002
Posts: 97

17 Feb 2004 12:54 Re: which is best controller to start

PIC have a free IDE...very easy to start (very cheap).
U can download it from www.microchip.com

SphinX

Joined: 25 Jan 2002
Posts: 1069
Helped: 28
Location: EGYPT

17 Feb 2004 15:59

I think PIC is good for start .
You Can start learning PIC with PIC16F628.

You will find many Ebooks for PIC learning.

Bye

MWind

Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 13
Helped: 1

17 Feb 2004 19:05 Re: which is best controller to start

I agree with the others, try a PIC16Cx for starters - www.microchip.com has a number of good application notes - and if you have access to a distributer, are pretty good about getting you started with a demo board.

7rots51

Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 1427
Helped: 14

17 Feb 2004 19:51 Re: which is best controller to start

hello

I think that 8051 and pic have old architectures,I suggest you AVR series from atmel with small and easy to use ATtiny devices and large ATmega devices for more complicated designed.

If you want to learn micros for professional tasks ,I think it is better for you to do not waste your time on old micros.

The tools for avr like as c c0mpiler is available from IAR with only 30 day limit for evaluation(no code limit).also you can use ponyprog for burnning your chips.

There are many docs on net on it,there is a forum that you can ask your question about avr(avrfreaks).

Regards Very Happy

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raticus

Joined: 27 Dec 2003
Posts: 75

17 Feb 2004 21:02 Re: which is best controller to start

Stick with pic , Devan , and you will never go wrong.

Mallmannen

Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 6

17 Feb 2004 21:18 Re: which is best controller to start

I would also recomend the Microchip PIC, i think that the pic16f84 is a great start. You can build your own programmer rather easy or go buy the picstart plus Smile

psubiaco

Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Posts: 42
Helped: 1
Location: Italy

18 Feb 2004 14:48 Re: which is best controller to start

If you need a microcontroller to use for your job, take a look at holtek microcontroller families ( www.holtek.com ).. they are a little more powerful than microchip PIC16 family, but are very very cheap MCU, as like as programmer and InCircuitEmulator.
In Italy, I've paid 60 euros for the programmer (which cover all families) and get the ICE for free (in evaluation, for serveral months!)
Also, the free IDE environment (working on windows platform) permit you to write code in mixed C and ASM, with source level debugging and C->ASM translation shown during debugging, so is very easy to develop code, finding the best way to write will-optimized C source.

Holtek MCUs are very good for large volume production (due to its low cost) and simple programs (you have no more than 8kwords of ROM).
But, if you need a more powerful microcontroller, consider the motorola HCS12 family, which has a very powerful compiler (Metrowerks Codewarrior, which is free for <12kbyte of ROM code, but costs about 3000 euros for unlimited banked version) and has nice features like the in-application programmable flash.

Cheers. Paolo

medap

Joined: 21 Feb 2004
Posts: 99
Helped: 7
Location: near Finland

22 Feb 2004 0:44 Re: which is best controller to start

I think that Atmel AVR-s and Basic language on the free version Bascomavr is good for veryfirst step.Programming with STK200 dongle,hi.

techie

Joined: 05 Feb 2002
Posts: 850
Helped: 43
Location: Pakistan

22 Feb 2004 8:34

My vote is for 89C2051. The resons are the ease of use of C51 software, ample avaialability of tools, example code and projects, easy programmability, re-programmable, cheap, etc etc

Mozfet

Joined: 01 Feb 2004
Posts: 28
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

24 Feb 2004 21:47 Re: which is best controller to start

I personally started with PIC16F877 over an year ago. I could recommend you it without any doubts. This is the best. It has everything you'll need (and even more).
PIC rules.

dev

Joined: 26 Feb 2004
Posts: 26

05 Mar 2004 10:14 Re: which is best controller to start

surely, 8051 family is best to start and then switch to any pic controllers ,which wo'd be fine.It worked for me. Smile

[font=Arial:de93a1871d] [/font:de93a1871d]

termes

Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Posts: 3

05 Mar 2004 15:44 Re: which is best controller to start

The firsts steps with PIC 16F84, you can know the heart of microcontoller,
with flash memory; you can mistake, no mattter.

The second,the PIC 16F876, with a plethora of characteristics,
but you can´t losse due you know the basics of micros at this moment.

Then you have passed the threshold Smile

mitesh

Joined: 13 May 2002
Posts: 288
Helped: 6

05 Mar 2004 17:02 Re: which is best controller to start

I like Cypress PSoC as best microcontroller, with inbuilt Analog & Digital Blocks, with 16K Flash and 256 bytes RAM, And in June they are coming with new controller having 32K Flash and 2K RAM.

Easy to use and Free IDE as PSoC Designer and C Compiler cost only 150$ so its cheapest.

haerifar

Joined: 02 Feb 2004
Posts: 113
Helped: 1
Location: Iran - Tehran

05 Mar 2004 18:18

try this site :
armory.com anonymous FTP archives - lots of microcontroller information, 68HC11, 8048, 8051, 8085, 80x86
ftp://ftp.armory.com/pub/user/rstevew

termes

Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Posts: 3

06 Mar 2004 0:41 Re: which is best controller to start

To learn , the firsts steps might be the more easy.

If not , the user keeps the MCU in a box and forgotten it.

PIC16f84

:squarewink:

CMOS

Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 810
Helped: 39
Location: USA

07 Mar 2004 19:45 Re: which is best controller to start

My vote goes for 8051 family. Especially AT89S52 and P89C51RD2.
Very easy to program in-system wihtout removing the chip.
Debugging is easy and development is fast.
Controllers are also very cheap.
No special programmer required. Just download Philips ISP for RD2, connect your PC's Serial port to controller and start developing.
Many free assemblers, simulators available.
Free C compiler (SDCC) and IDE at h**p://sdcc.sourceforge.net
and lot more..................

dani

Joined: 08 Mar 2004
Posts: 179
Helped: 1
Location: UK

08 Mar 2004 11:33 Re: which is best controller to start

1 Year back i have the same question that where to start? and after one year I can say it blindly that nothing is better then PIC. You should start with PIC16F84. This is the best pic for new comers.
Also tryout this website.
www.technocrafts.com

good luck.

Ajay

Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Posts: 31

08 Mar 2004 12:38 Re: which is best controller to start

deevan wrote:

hi

I wants to start work on micro controllers please guide me which is the best controller to start work as i am new commer in uc world and which is the best tool for me

Well, that is like asking I need to buy a vehicle, which one should I buy?? The answer depends on where would you like to drive it and the priorities. If I want something to go to school in Ames, Iowa, I would recommend a bicycle; if I want something to drive on the New Jersey Turnpike, I would recommend a Toyota Camry; if I want something to drive from Frankfury to Munchen, I would recommend a Merc and if I want something to drive in New Delhi, I would recommend an army tank!!

I think the right choice would depend on the complexity of your project and the number of I/O's. I would recommend a PIC if you want to make a door opener which will open the door when you sense an object in front of the sensor and then will close it after T seconds where T need not be accurate within 1 microsecond!!

On the other hand, I would recommend an 8051 based design if you are trying to keep the cost low but have to build a lot of logic decisions, use several compare, math, move instructions and still not need something that must have a super blazing scan time. Also, if your application is too complex (like having a color screen, html servers) then beware of the code size barriers. If your data memory exceeds 64 kB, remember you will need to do something more intelligent like paging to be able to use the memory. Also remember that while doing so, you will use more code memory (and execution time) every time you must change pages.

My personal favorite is the ARM7/ARM9 core which gives you much better speed, flexibility and power. I would recommend the GNU tools and look at Philips, Oki, Atmel for single chip solutions. If you need more power, look at the Xscale platform or the Sharp or Samsung platforms. They come with built in LCD controller and RAM etc.. If you want to do something in the Ethernet area, look at Netsilicon who sells ARM core with embedded Ethernet controller and comes with a lot of built in code.

I also like the MSP4xx series from TI. Also look at some of the DSP platforms TI offers. Very powerful.

About tools, I would strongly recommend the GNU tools if you are working on a very low budget. If you can afford to pay over US $6,000 then you have plenty of options. Just announce you have a need and many compiler people will come chasing you.

Good luck and if there is anything you need help with, please ask.

Ajay

tgq

Joined: 15 Jul 2002
Posts: 305
Helped: 2

08 Mar 2004 14:08 Re: which is best controller to start

PIC (eg 16F84) is a good starting point :

* cheap
* easy to find
* easy to learn (limited asm instruction set)
* easy to succeed a simple program
* fast cycle test/modifysource file/recompile/download hex into Flash EEPROM (especially with ICSP)
* basic programer easy to build with free soft IC-prog
* good pin sink/source (LED direct drive)
* fairly robust against mistreatment
* huge examples, re-usable code and tuts on the web
* many compilers, harder to select one than to find them !
* many Ebooks
* easy to switch to smaller or bigger microchip processor

Ajay

Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Posts: 31

08 Mar 2004 14:23 Re: which is best controller to start

tgq wrote:

* good pin sink/source (LED direct drive)

Indeed! PIC's have the best sink/source capabilities. Also, the built in diode protection gives excellent results against ESD (our products work upto 15 kV of ESD) and also you can easily connect even AC input sensors to the chip.

Ajay

Fragrance

Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 1385
Helped: 24

08 Mar 2004 14:47 Re: which is best controller to start

Ajay wrote:

tgq wrote:

* good pin sink/source (LED direct drive)

yes ajay you right pic is best chip i realy very much like it now a day i also learning avr but for a starter it is best to learn the pic

tgq

Joined: 15 Jul 2002
Posts: 305
Helped: 2

08 Mar 2004 18:01 Re: which is best controller to start

Fragrance wrote:

yes ajay you right pic is best chip i realy very much like it now a day i also learning avr but for a starter it is best to learn the pic

PIC hard and soft is more explicit than AVR, when you want to set a bit you dont have to write '0' , like AVRs sometime Sad

datasheets are more explicit (not a must but better than AVRs) or even available !

zhanhualiu

Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Posts: 18
Helped: 1

09 Mar 2004 19:40

C51 seriers + keil C is a very goog start kit.

spyghost

Joined: 10 Apr 2004
Posts: 24

11 Apr 2004 7:20 which is best controller to start

if you are in for a hobby, try microchip pic specially if you country is included in the list of microchip's free sample program, then go for it. the ide is freely downloadable from the website. and there are lots of pic programmer across the net which you can build personally. i would recommend propic2 for the hardware and ic-prog for the software.

but if your country is not included (as in my case), then find which is available in your locality.

in my case, the only available is the atmel uC's so i simply use it. as for the ide, you can download reads51 from rigelcorp.com. for the programmer, atmel has an application note on their website regarding building a programmer.

kuogin

Joined: 26 Jan 2004
Posts: 7

12 Apr 2004 17:10 Re: which is best controller to start

PIC EASY LEARNING

llrry

Joined: 02 Mar 2004
Posts: 25

12 Apr 2004 17:17 which is best controller to start

absolutely 8051 family. many resources that you can get it easily.

gam

Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 117
Helped: 4

13 Apr 2004 8:42 Re: which is best controller to start

Hello,

I suggest the AVR family from ATMEL or the PIC as second suggestion.
Anyway you have to find out a couple of answers:

- Are the chips easy to get (reasonable price?)
- Do you have access to a programmer or can you build one? (AVR programmers are very simple).
- Does the chip have free IDE? (AVRstudio and MPLAP IDE are both excellent).
- Are compilers avaialable ? (I also suggest to start with assembler then move to C).

Finally don't hesitate mush, microcontrollers are fun!

GAM