BASIC Stamp 2 clones / inexpensive alternatives? (pref. same features, works with BOE)
mad.scie...@gmail.com
far so good. The documentation is good and it is simple to program.
However Fry's/Digikey/Mouser/etc all charge $48-$59 for the
microcontroller, so building devices could become expensive. Is there
a "clone" of the module available for less? I would prefer one that
can be programmed with the Board Of Education so I don't have to go
out and buy new hardware... The language doesn't have to be BASIC
(although it would help not having to rewrite any code) - I can
understand Java, C, etc. As long as the dev software is free or
inexpensive, and well documented. It's more important that the
microcontroller has the same # of inputs/outputs and memory. Any info
appreciated... thanks.
linnix
> I picked up Parallax's BASIC Stamp Discovery Kit to learn with, and so
> far so good. The documentation is good and it is simple to program.
> However Fry's/Digikey/Mouser/etc all charge $48-$59 for the
> microcontroller, so building devices could become expensive.
Nobody builds device in volume with BASIC Stamp.
> Is there a "clone" of the module available for less?
A equivalent uC cost $2 to $3.
> I would prefer one that
> can be programmed with the Board Of Education so I don't have to go
> out and buy new hardware... The language doesn't have to be BASIC
> (although it would help not having to rewrite any code) - I can
> understand Java, C, etc.
Many C development tools are low cost or free.
Jim Granville
Those are good for a first step, but not targeting volume usage.
There are plenty of uC out there, with good development systems.
Up to around 8-32K, you can expect tools to be essentially free.
The USB-Stick approach seems to be be pathway many are taking, and
it does give very low entry costs. Some are cheap enough, to use
in medium volumes, skipping the PCB design and parts procurement.
Look at
* Silabs ToolStick family.
* TI's MSP430 have similar USB sticks, but no 5V models
* Freescale are starting to stir. Their MC9RS08KA8/4
is a good example of the low end, and wide Vcc.
DEMO9RS08KA8 $50 (USB, but not a stick)
* ST also have USB sticks, including some ARM ones.
etc
-jg
Wayne C. Gramlich
Given that you are already using the Basic Stamp, you are
probably comfortable with microcontrollers that have DIP
pin-outs. The Atmel AVR family has some microcontrollers
in 28-pin skinny DIP format (.3" between pin rows) and
in 40-pin DIP (.6" between pin rows.) The Atmel AVR toolchain
is free for Windows, MacOS, and Linux (GCC). If you spend ~$50
for an AVR-Dragon, you can both program and *debug* the chips.
The chips themselves are quite inexpensive -- ATmega168 and
ATmega324P are the ones I use. So for the price of one new
Basic Stamp you can switch over to a much cheaper microcontroller.
-Wayne
Don McKenzie
> Given that you are already using the Basic Stamp, you are
> probably comfortable with microcontrollers that have DIP
> pin-outs. The Atmel AVR family has some microcontrollers
> in 28-pin skinny DIP format (.3" between pin rows) and
> in 40-pin DIP (.6" between pin rows.) The Atmel AVR toolchain
> is free for Windows, MacOS, and Linux (GCC). If you spend ~$50
> for an AVR-Dragon, you can both program and *debug* the chips.
> The chips themselves are quite inexpensive -- ATmega168 and
> ATmega324P are the ones I use. So for the price of one new
> Basic Stamp you can switch over to a much cheaper microcontroller.
>
> -Wayne
and if you go down this road, you can use basic like commands in a
product such as Bascom-AVR:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/BASCOM-AVR-p-16138.html
or you can stick with PIC's and still use Basic:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/Basic-Compilers-p-1-c-275.html
Don...
--
Don McKenzie
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Parallax Propeller Powered .96" OLED module
http://tinyurl.com/2vr2gr
mad.scie...@gmail.com
I have another related question. The BASIC stamp 2 has 16 i/o pins and
2 dedicated serial pins.
Can the 16 i/o pins be used as serial inputs too?
Do any of those other uCs have 4 or more serial pins so it can control
or read 4 serial devices at a time?
Thanks again
BASIC Stamp 2 specs
from http://www.parallax.com/tabid/436/Default.aspx
-------------------
Released Products: BS2-IC
Package: 24-pin DIP
Package Size (L x W x H): 1.2"x0.6"x0.4"
Environment: -40oC - +85oC (-40oF - +185oF) **
Processor Speed: 20 MHz
Program Execution Speed: ~4,000 instructions/sec.
RAM Size: 32 Bytes (6 I/O, 26 Variable)
Scratch Pad RAM: N/A
EEPROM (Program) Size: 2K Bytes, ~500 instructions
Number of I/O pins: 16 +2 Dedicated Serial
Voltage Requirements: 5 - 15 vdc
Current Draw @ 5V: 3 mA Run / 50 µA Sleep
Source / Sink Current per I/O: 20 mA / 25 mA
Source / Sink Current per unit: 40 mA / 50 mA per 8 I/O pins
PBASIC Commands: 42
PC Programming Interface: Serial Port (9600 baud)
Windows Text Editor: Stampw.exe (v1.04 and up)
> Jim Granville wrote:
linnix
> Thanks for your replies - I will look up these uCs and URLs...
>
> I have another related question. The BASIC stamp 2 has 16 i/o pins and
> 2 dedicated serial pins.
> Can the 16 i/o pins be used as serial inputs too?
Yes, you can do it in software.
> Do any of those other uCs have 4 or more serial pins so it can control
> or read 4 serial devices at a time?
Most are one or two hardware and as many as you need in software.
I use lots of AVR169 (you can put six in the BS2 space), so for
comparisons:
BS2 AVR169
Pins 24 64
I/Os 18 53
Size 1.2x0.6x0.4 0.3x0.3x0.1
Speed 20MHz 16MHz
Program 2K 16K
EEPROM 512
SRAM 32 1024
VCC 5 to 15 1.8 to 5.5
Drive 20mA 5mA to 10mA
Price $50 $3
Charles
default
wrote:
Picaxe
http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/picaxe.html 3 chips for $10 with
programming resistors - you need a serial port and a solderless
breadboard plus free software - all of $20 to get started and they can
outperform some Basic Stamps. Available in 8-40 pin versions.
http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ Home of the picaxe and site for
software downloads.
--
dan michaels
There are a number of modules that are pin-compatible with the BS2.
Try googling Basic Stamp clone, or similar.
Most are similar in price, but many have a LOT more processing power,
including ROM and RAM space, so they're a better deal for the money.
Two of note are the ARMExpress modules and the BX24 module. They
should both work in the BOE board, but may require slightly different
circuitry on the reset line to the DB09 connector.
http://coridiumcorp.com/Products.php
http://www.basicx.com/
Also, the BS2 can do many software serial ports, but only 1 can be
active at a time. Ie, no interrupts and buffering, and when the BS2 is
waiting for RS232 input, it isn't doing anything else at all. The BX24
can have 1 auxiliary serial port, and I'm not sure about the
ARMExpress.
Eric
> Picaxe
>
> http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/picaxe.html 3 chips for $10 with
> programming resistors - you need a serial port and a solderless
> breadboard plus free software - all of $20 to get started and they can
> outperform some Basic Stamps. Available in 8-40 pin versions.
>
> http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ Home of the picaxe and site for
> software downloads.
I strongly agree. This is an ideal alternative that is much cheaper.
J. B. Wood
<def...@defaulter.net> wrote:
> Picaxe
>
> http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/picaxe.html 3 chips for $10 with
> programming resistors - you need a serial port and a solderless
> breadboard plus free software - all of $20 to get started and they can
> outperform some Basic Stamps. Available in 8-40 pin versions.
>
> http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ Home of the picaxe and site for
> software downloads.
Hello, and I would also add that while Nuts & Volts magazine has run the
column "Stamp Applications" for some time now, they have recently
published articles on the picaxe. Sincerely,
John Wood (Code 5550) e-mail: wo...@itd.nrl.navy.mil
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337