The last Fourth Wish

[Melanie]

When I was in University, I was a fanatical reader... the Librarian hated me, must have dusted off books for me that hadn't ever seen the light of day... I recall casually reading a computing history book (or a very old issue of an Electronics magazine) about someone back in the early 1980's that wanted to write a program that could write programs directly for End-Users... for those that couldn't do the technical stuff for themselves. Can't remember his name, or the name of his project or venture, so obviously if failed... all I do remember was a picture of him holding an Osborne 'portable' computer (well it WAS bound to fail if that was his platform!!!!) so that might have made him an Englishman. Actually wasn't Osborne American? So hardcore's wish is not new - somebody already had it a generation or two earlier. Actually some of the best advances in computing started with a wish (like the desire to take a fixed-task machine and make it more versatile by making it programmable). This might be the application of reverse logic (taking a versatile broad-application device, and making it narrow single-application).

[hardcore]

Hi All,
I really am having fun to read yours messages.
I agree with you that nothing under Moon so every thought we generate may be was in head of a person or dreamer living two century ago or in B.C.
It is all about our tricky brain.
For example thousand of thousands of talanted scientists, researches and engineers
living in all human history before ~1905 never wrote e=Mc^2 and only one did.
To be serious I am still looking in science news and clearly see that time is coming when custom designed complex IC will be simply printed or it will be able to ordered on internet by hobbyists or professionals for much less price we need to pay today.
For my point of view sometimes each person has to ask in what time frame
from now he is able to be in business that he manage now.
For example if a person working right now in electronic repair business and think he will continue to work in the same business next 10 years – big mistake.
Electronic repair business is dying right now.
So my Fourth wish is not dreaming fantasy it will be soon.
Best wishes to All

[mackrackit]

The best way to make something happen is to do it yourself.

So stop wishing and start studying. Then you will be the one to make it happen.

But at some point there still has to be people that know how to do things, not everyone can have point and click. The base code still has to be written and the hardware understood.

[hardcore]

Hi mackrackit,
Thank you for encouraging me to move in right direction.
When will done my project will start posting parts of code.
Appreciate any help in future.
After e-mailing start feeling that is possible.
Best Regards to All

[mackrackit]

Just curious... What program do you plan to use to write the UI?
I would suggest something cross-platform.

[hardcore]

Hi All,
It is not right time to design UI right now when PICs become more complex, all different, and technology rapidly have a lot of changes.
Final destination for nearest years will be 24-36 bit PICs with 28-40 pins, having implemented serial optical interface, wireless ports, and other option.
This will be done in nearest time, we are before next technological revolution
So right now we only can discuss future implementation inherited in next generation of PICs.
It will be great if we can start speaking on this forum OUR Future Expectation in PIC hardware and software development.
So our discussion will help to create tomorrow PIC world.
About doubt to use PIC to make bad things I think bad people can simply put suicide virgins on the top of bomb to make them flying to final destination.
No big brain needed for brainwashed people.
So our united thoughts can change tomorrow way of thinking.
Best Regards

[comwarrior]

When I was in University, I was a fanatical reader... the Librarian hated me, must have dusted off books for me that hadn't ever seen the light of day... I recall casually reading a computing history book (or a very old issue of an Electronics magazine) about someone back in the early 1980's that wanted to write a program that could write programs directly for End-Users... for those that couldn't do the technical stuff for themselves. Can't remember his name, or the name of his project or venture, so obviously if failed... all I do remember was a picture of him holding an Osborne 'portable' computer (well it WAS bound to fail if that was his platform!!!!) so that might have made him an Englishman. Actually wasn't Osborne American? So hardcore's wish is not new - somebody already had it a generation or two earlier. Actually some of the best advances in computing started with a wish (like the desire to take a fixed-task machine and make it more versatile by making it programmable). This might be the application of reverse logic (taking a versatile broad-application device, and making it narrow single-application).

Mell, I've read the same article and more on Osborne besides...
If you read the history on computers then a lot of what we are doing today is not new... Just regurgitated and made easy for joe public to do...

[hardcore]

Hi All,
So I am enjoying playing with PIC16F84A,PIC16F628, and PIC16F88.
They works perfect but all of them have disadvantage such as they can do only one operation in specific period of time.
For example: if PIC produces impulses with specific frequency it is not possible to send variable value to LCD without loosing control in generating frequency.
More troubles comes when PIC require to works with one or two feedback and that require to increase PIC frequency to be fit in-process.
That move has limitation.
For me big step forward will be developing one circuit with two core microprocessors such as P PIC16F628 or PIC16F88 having few bridges between their registers that keep variables of process.Simple logic circuit between two processors will perform next task:
IF var1(in-process first PIC) < or > var2(out-of process second PIC) THEN
var1=var2.
It will speed up any applications where using feedback is priority without interrupting process.
Each PIC has own program and programmed individually.
Using one OSC helps to synchronize cycles of both of them.
Here is example:
PIC1 produce impulses with preprogrammed frequency written in var1.
PIC2 read one or two feedback such as current or voltage value, timing and
by process requirements put needed value in var2.
By action var1 = var2 so PIC1 increase or decrease frequency without using interrupt.
Osborne architecture is cornerstone for processors but is not absolute.
I would prefer to use PICs with two core processors described above than traditional PICs manufactured by MICROCHIP.
Best Regards to All

[rmteo]

It is possible to do what you are described (and much more) with a single PIC.

[hardcore]

Hi All,
I agree with you that 60% or more could be fit for using single PIC.
Real applications require more than one PIC by my point of view.
For example: Inductive heating require frequencies from 200 up to 500 KHz.
The first task is generating starting frequency 200 KHz.
Second one is increasing frequency up to resonance point slowly it mean that find
minimum current point and keep it near minimum.
Due to nature of metals that is changing its parameters resonance point will be moving
so increasing or decreasing frequency.
Third task is to send to LCD data about heating – temperature, frequency.
Fourth task is generate heat for specific period of time after temperature in
metal equal needed.
Fifth task is keeping cooling water flow and stop heating if water is not in system
(broken hose).
Sixth task is giving signal to robot to take detail off and put new one.
Seventh task is status of process indication by LED and sound.
So as you see it is not possible to use single PIC for these applications.
Process of heating has to be continuous without interruption otherwise
PIC will loose resonance point.
Before resonance point here is high current.
After passing resonance point current is increasing.
Resonance only has low current.
I can write examples of many applications that require 2 PICs not one.
Best Regards to All

[rmteo]

Sure, you can do all that with single PIC (and even much more), if you know how. I wouldn't use the ones you mentioned though.

[hardcore]

Hi All,
I am still learning to keep my brain from drying and I will appreciate any tips or tricks
to show me how to work in right way.
In early eighty I already learned processor architecture and had learning experience
How to write program in binary that processor understand (just BIOS).
I did not use this knowledge in my working experience.
Right now PIC for me is just a nail and PICBASIC PRO is just a hummer.
So using both of them I able to put together hardware and technology.
Doing this in easy way I am pretty sure that double core PIC has
advantage than using single advanced and expensive PIC for multitasking program
Especially if you are not a ghost living in microprocessor and manually turn on or off
bits in registers.
In my example I am not agree that to generate frequency and find minimum can be done
by using one comparator:
OSC 20 MHz
NUM var WORD
DELTA var WORD
CMCON=%00000101 ‘ set
DELTA = 2500
Run:
PORTB.0 =%00000001
CALL WAITA
IF CMCON=%10000101 Then Delta = DELTA -1‘ if digital more than reference
PORTB.0 =%00000000
CALL WAITA
GOTO RUN
WAITA:
FOR NUM = 0 TO DELTA
@ useless statement
NEXT NUM
OR write statements in assembler or better in binary code
For frequency 200KHz period on is equal 2.5uSec and off 2.5uSec.
For right heating condition needs to be in 10Hz range so 200000+10 = 200010KHz
It is means steps on is equal 1.5nSec and off 1.5nSec.
So variable NUM has step 1.5nSec and max value is equal 3333
For 500KHz you can calculate more strange numbers.
How is it possible to send SEROUT message that last 2mSec when microprocessor
Is Working on generating frequency and time needed for one operation is 200nSec?
My guess that your expertise ends here because using one PIC cannot do this task
Any comments?
Best Regards to ALL