Microcontrollers: Where's a good starting point?

Russ · Dec 3, 2008

I've been interested in these things for a long time. The problem is that there are so many different kinds and I'm not sure where to start.
I'm leaning towards the pic 8051's, but I think those are now really old. But it might not matter because I don't know jack.. .

Anyone?

ppatterson · Dec 3, 2008

Advice

In my humble opinion, your best bet is to obtain a subscription to a magazine that I hold to be the bible on "Fun" applications of all things electronic, including microcontrollers. I remember seeing a number of tutorials related to microchip PIC's and the PICAXE as well as others. You have many choices of programmers and programming languages as well. I find the magazine and their resources splendid for all levels of hobbyist/inventor/engineer.

http://www.nutsvolts.com/

The quick answer is that each microcontroller had a purpose and each manufacturer created a version for themselves or to compete with other manufacturers. The issue is that even though some are deprecated, they can still serve a purpose.

Be careful....if you have any free time now, you won't after you catch the microcontroller "addiction"

Enjoy!!

More resources:

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/pic_tutorials/introduction_to_pic.html

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php

http://www.jaycar.com/

benji · Dec 3, 2008

i ve always used the AVR cores ,,the Atmegas from atmel are really spread and powerfull

bikerdude · Dec 3, 2008

Hi,
Parrallax Inc. has chips & boards that can run on Basic,Java,Spin (Multi-Core), or somthing called SX I guess a "C" like structure. Anyhow Lots of fun. I started with the cheap ($99) Basic Stamp 2 & "Board of Education" kit since I was familiar with Visual Basic already. It is a 20 Mhz.8 bit processor, 16 I/O with RS232. Kit comes with hard copys of instructions & software. I think you can get these at Radio Shack as well. Prices have gone up it seems.
BD

Contr_Conn · Dec 3, 2008

This forum is not really for Microcontrollers even they have many common things with PLCs. You probably should try something like http://www.electro-tech-online.com/

As for devices - I prefer Microchip PIC - cheap, easy to program, free development software and demo applications.
Wide range devices from 8-pin/8-bit up to powerfull 32-bit chips with variety of periferals available
For tutorials start here: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk/

Peter Nachtwey · Dec 3, 2008

benji has the right idea.

The whole point of learning how to use a microcontroller is to get down the assembly language and the registers.

AVR is a good place to start.
Some people like microchip but I think the instruction set of awful.
Rabbit semiconductor/z-world has some nice kits.
There isn't much point in getting something that can only be programmed in basic. We have VB for that.

Porting forth to an AVR looks like fun
http://amforth.sourceforge.net/

Your eyes will be opened when you get down to the registers and assembly language on a microcontroller.

danieluy · Dec 3, 2008

Yeah, That would depends on your target application...

many starts from PIC but its advantage (can also be its disadvantage) is its small list of commands.. I have started with Zilog then PIC then Motorolla...

I find there are many libraries and online resource with PIC and many Simulators/Emulators available (very impt)..

but when i tried to port my applications from others into PIC then i get twice or more the size than the other microcontrollers...

Never tried AVR Though...

Jeev · Dec 4, 2008

I've used PIC, PICAXE and Atmel. If you're learning from scratch I'd suggest starting with something like the PICAXE since it's simple and is really designed as a learning tool with the ability to be used in some advanced applications. The PICAXE uses BASIC, which I think is both good and bad. Good because it provides a powerful, yet simple instruction set. Bad because the majority of uCs use C or Assembly and BASIC can teach you some bad habits. To get your head around uCs the PICAXE is fine, once you progress a little further, I'd move to something like the Atmel AtMega or AtTiny series.

HJTRBO · Dec 4, 2008

You could have a look at www.splatco.com The have rs 485, analogue, can go up to a tonne of I/O. Very easy to use, a basic deveolpment kit with cable, 16 I/O, software, assembled, and tutorial for around $100.

edit: bad splelling

Russ · Dec 4, 2008

Thanks everyone. Looks like Santa needs to go shopping... and also get a magazine subscription too.

rdrast · Dec 4, 2008

I also like the Rabbit cores and boards ( http://www.rabbit.com/ ).
Fast, low power, a few language options (for programming), and they have everything from simple cores, right up to full SBC's for very reasonable prices.

PLC GURU · Dec 4, 2008

there are a ton of great micros out the...all of the above, but in my opinion I also agree with products from Parallax. they have the most descriptive easily attainable, mostly free documentation out there, along with excellent support forums. Theyll get you up and running quicky without much confusion, then you can move on to others

Russ · Dec 4, 2008

PLC GURU said:
there are a ton of great micros out the...all of the above, but in my opinion I also agree with products from Parallax. they have the most descriptive easily attainable, mostly free documentation out there, along with excellent support forums. Theyll get you up and running quicky without much confusion, then you can move on to others

the parallax might be a good starting point. Once I get comfortable with them then move onto the more challenging languages and controllers.

ganutenator · Dec 5, 2008

Check out the arduino micro controller.
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardDuemilanove

They even wrote an article about it in a recent wired magazine.

The harware design and software is open source.

I wasn't able to get the software to install on vista at first. I was able to look at the source code and add the appropriate registry keys in vista so that it would install.

How cool is that?

Microcontrollers: Where's a good starting point?

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