@DaveWR Tank you for info about Stellaris M3 NRND - I'm using Stellarris too (LM3S9B95) due integrated Ethernet Phy. Not good news but they (TI) tells about adding Ethernet Phy into M4 in near future.
Question: Are any other high-level languages in use? I can understand assembly (understand, not like!), but C is old and from a software engineering point of view, very out-dated and outmoded.
Answer: Well, C is the most popular language for embedded developers. I think it's popularity will guarantee that it will be around for a very long time. You will find some manufacturers also support C+ a nd a few even support Java.
I think the biggest thing for us in considering whether to switch vendors is weighing the power of the development tools and the features that are available against the cost of trying to switch and getting trained on the new product as well as continuing support of existing controllers. Brandon
Why change micros? There is no one reason usually. It's a weighing of all the factors and what you are looking for. As always the application dictates. RMRSS
Question: I don't see C as "outmoded". It provides a good mix of low level bit and register access with higher level libraries. Its generally a very good fit in the microcontroller application space. JimWagner
Answer: I agree, I think the C language will outlast the planet!
Question: As far as choosing between different manufacturers for an application, would you recommend asking that manufacturer/vendor for "referrals" from other customers who might have done similar work? Alaskaman66
Answer: Yes, it's always good to ask for referrals if they are new to you. You can tell a lot about a vendor that way.
Question: We currently use Freescale for thier ColdFire product. We are currently looking on going to an ARM product in the near future. When we do this, we will look at other vendors ARMs as well to see what they offer. In general we look for several things in a vendor - 1) are they on our Preffered Parts Vendor list. 2) How well they support their product (do they keep use tuned to new and better products coming down the pike) 3) Do they good development tools. and 4) how much can they help us out when we get into trouble if we run into snaggs during devlopment. johnmr
All excellent criteria. This keeps you out of trouble and teaches you a lot about the vendor.
Question: You didn't say much about those mixed-signal devices that have both DSP and MCU cores. JimWagner
Right. These tend to be in a very specific niche of applications. As I mentioned, microcontroller people tend to shy away from anything that says "DSP". But some of these hybrid cores, like the Microchip dsPIC, are very powerful devices for motor control and sensor processing.
Question: Re: development boards... It appears one can tie up a lot of $$ buying several types of development boards. Are used dev kits available? Will a vendor let you use a low level board for testing an application, then do a buy back for a more advanced dev kit?
I haven't seen anyone provide used development kits. One problem with a used kit is that you may not be able to determine if it is damaged. You might try contacting your local representative to see if they will loan you a board. Digi-Key does offer development kits at very low cost.
Question Which vendor as of now do u consider has the best/extensive code support or examples ?? for 8 bit microcontrollers?
Any of the major 8-bit players – Microchip, Atmel, Renesas, ST – will want to provide excellent code support and examples for 8-bit microcontrollers. These are the 8-bit companies that have done well during the 2008-2010 "recession" BECAUSE they were focused on 8-bit. That focus kept their 8-bit biz alive.
Question: Are there any 64-bit uC or do you forsee one in the near future?
Cghaba
64-bit architectures are really in the realm of the microprocessor. Very few microcontroller applications would require that sort of number-crunching.
Question: We're working with some educators advancing STEM in middle & high schools. Do you know of vendors who share that emphasis and have development boards focused on that level of study?
Most vendors have educational programs and are happy to supply schools with hardware at reduced cost.
Question: With repspect to roadmaps, for a long time, Atmel only released road-maps to preferred customers. Maybe this is still their policy as I've never seen one publically available. For me, rather than forcasting the future, I use them to see how the manufacturer concieves of the relationships among their products and what the potential upgrade paths are. Having the roadmap makes the system designer's life a LOT easier, even if you are a small customer.
JimWagner
I agree. It is unfortunate that roadmaps for future products are often kept confidential by many microcontroller vendors. However, you can still judge the feasibility of a microcontroller product line by looking at a roadmap of existing products.
A generic question. I havent seen a microcontroller so far with 2 usb modules. It would be really good if i can use a microcontroller as a usb device as well as a usb host at the same time. Is there any in the market now ??
natraj20
STMicroelectronics, Microchip, and Atmel all offer microcontrollers with two or more USB ports. Check them out!
Thanks Bill, looking forward to the week. I tend to only change family or architecture at the beginning design phase of a project. Unless something goes horribly wrong of course...
Texas Instruments has issued an NRND for the Stellaris M3 line. They want you to use M4 -- however nothing with Ethernet -- no high speed clocks in the four chips (sort of) available now. Go to their e2e forum to get details.
As far as choosing an MCU for some application, do you think it would help to discuss the sensor suite and user interface with potential vendors, and let them recommend product (lines)?
A generic question. I havent seen a microcontroller so far with 2 usb modules. It would be really good if i can use a microcontroller as a usb device as well as a usb host at the same time. Is there any in the market now ??
With repspect to roadmaps, for a long time, Atmel only released road-maps to preferred customers. Maybe this is still their policy as I've never seen one publically available. For me, rather than forcasting the future, I use them to see how the manufacturer concieves of the relationships among their products and what the potential upgrade paths are. Having the roadmap makes the system designer's life a LOT easier, even if you are a small customer.
Question: We're working with some educators advancing STEM in middle & high schools. Do you know of vendors who share that emphasis and have development boards focused on that level of study?
Most vendors have educational programs and will be happy to supply schools with hardware at reduced cost.
Re: development boards... It appears one can tie up a lot of $$ buying several types of development boards. Are used dev kits available? Will a vendor let you use a low level board for testing an application, then do a buy back for a more advanced dev kit?
I haven't seen anyone do this. You might try contacting your local representative to see if they will loan you a board.
Which vendor as of now do u consider has the best/extensive code support or examples ?? for 8 bit microcontrollers?
That is tough to answer. A lot depends upon your local sales office. I see strong support from Microchip, ST, and Atmel and Renesas. These are the 8-bit companies that have done well during the 2008-2010 "recession" BECAUSE they were focused on 8-bit. That focus kept their 8-bit biz alive.
Re: development boards... It appears one can tie up a lot of $$ buying several types of development boards. Are used dev kits available? Will a vendor let you use a low level board for testing an application, then do a buy back for a more advanced dev kit?
You didn't say much about those mixed-signal devices that have both DSP and MCU cores
Right. These tend to be in a very specific niche of applications. As I mentioned, microcontroller people tend to shy away from anything that says "DSP". But some of these hybrid cores, like the Microchip dsPIC, are very powerful devices for motor control and sensor processing.
We currently use Freescale for thier ColdFire product. We are currently looking on going to an ARM product in the near future. When we do this, we will look at other vendors ARMs as well to see what they offer. In general we look for several things in a vendor - 1) are they on our Preffered Parts Vendor list. 2) How well they support their product (do they keep use tuned to new and better products coming down the pike) 3) Do they good development tools. and 4) how much can they help us out when we get into trouble if we run into snaggs during devlopment.
All excellent criteria. This keeps you out of trouble and teaches you a lot about the vendor.
As far as choosing between different manufacturers for an application, would you recommend asking that manufacturer/vendor for "referrals" from other customers who might have done similar work?
Yes, it's always good to ask for referrals if they are new to you. You can tell a lot about a vendor that way.
We currently use Freescale for thier ColdFire product. We are currently looking on going to an ARM product in the near future. When we do this, we will look at other vendors ARMs as well to see what they offer. In general we look for several things in a vendor - 1) are they on our Preffered Parts Vendor list. 2) How well they support their product (do they keep use tuned to new and better products coming down the pike) 3) Do they good development tools. and 4) how much can they help us out when we get into trouble if we run into snaggs during devlopment.
I don't see C as "outmoded". It provides a good mix of low level bit and register access with higher level libraries. Its generally a very good fit in the microcontroller application space.
I think the biggest thing for us in considering whether to switch vendors is weighing the power of the development tools and the features that are available against the cost of trying to switch and getting trained on the new product as well as continuing support of existing controllers.
As far as choosing between different manufacturers for an application, would you recommend asking that manufacturer/vendor for "referrals" from other customers who might have done similar work?
Are any other high-level languages in use? I can understand assembly (understand, not like!), but C is old and from a software engineering point of view, very out-dated and outmoded.
nice presentation. i try to stick with microchip as i'm used to it.. but if for some reason, i do not get all the hardware peripheral features i need (eg: usb, 2 mssp and 5 pwm all in a single package) i would try to switch to a different vendor
Question: We're working with some educators advancing STEM in middle & high schools. Do you know of vendors who share that emphasis and have development boards focused on that level of study?
Blackfin processor family is unique in its ability to bridge the gap between microcontrollers and DSPs. Also has excellent DMA capabilities to move data to and from peripheals/memory.
One difficulty we have is that we have a history using a certain type of microcontroller, so there is a lot of legacy code that is reused/leveraged in new products. I'd like to explore other vendors - do any of the development tools help with porting code between various microprocessor vendors?
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