Suitable for a College project?

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  1. - 20th September 2007, 20:10 #1
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    Default Suitable for a College project?

    Hi there,
    I'm looking inro microcontrollers for my college project. How ever I'm pretty stuck on what sort of microcontroller to begin with! I've only a small budget of £25 and thats to include other components aswell as the microcontroller.

    I've experience in some Assembly,C++ and some BASIC. So basically I'm looking into a microcontroller that can be programmed easily by BASIC or assembly?
    A few beginners tutorials would be handy too.

    Would PicBasic be suitable for my needs? I intend to gradually make a small,simple functioned robot that perhaps follows a line, senses obstacles etc etc

    Any general push in the right direction will be greatly appreicated
    Many thanks
    Matt
  2. - 21st September 2007, 00:57 #2
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    Hi Matt,
    You have the problem that plagues college students world wide, limited funds. So a couple of questions are at hand, #1. do you have a programmer, or access to one, and #2. how good are your assembly language skills? If answer to #1 is no then, can you build one for near nothing? It is do able but lots of hassel, $8 to $10 US on ebay for a JDM, which is all I use right now, using ICPROG software. Otherwise you will want to use an MCU with a built in bootloader so as to avoid that initial cost, Catch 22, They (MCU) cost more than standard PICs or AVRs, so you might fit only 1 or 2 into your budget.<p>
    Other concerns are the cost of the basic compiler, I understand there is a demo version of ME Labs which is limited to " X " lines of code. That is an option. There are some free versions of C compilers out there as well, or you can write it all in assembly for free and use MPASM to assemble programand their other software tools for PICs or their competetors likely also have software tools free for the download. Some of the "aftermarket" chips are available with preinstalled bootloaders and free software tools, (which is why they cost so much more than a PIC chip). Most of the aftermarket chips are a PIC with something already installed. <p>
    HTH
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  3. - 21st September 2007, 01:08 #3
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    Thanks for the reply!
    The parents are willing to buy a pic programmer for me and the software required, so there for the £25 leaves me for the components for my circuits.

    The question is what programmer and software? I would really prefer BASIC software
    So any further recommendations?

    Many thanks
    Matt
  4. - 21st September 2007, 01:19 #4
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    Hi Matt,
    here is Bruce's website, he is an authorized distributor of PIC Basic PBC, and PIC Basic PRO PBP, which are the 2 compilers supported on this forum.

    http://www.rentron.com/
    If you do not believe in MAGIC, Consider how currency has value simply by printing it, and is then traded for real assets.
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  5. - 21st September 2007, 01:26 #5
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    Are the programmers any cheaper?
    Or is the other only other operation to build or buy a jdm?
  6. - 21st September 2007, 01:32 #6
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    PICKIT2 from MICROCHIP is around $40 or $50. That and PBP--all set.
    Dave
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