Here at Gizmodo , a number of do - it - yourself projects are boast that incorporate microcontrollers . If you ’ve never worked with one before , do n’t experience daunted , here ’s an overview to help you select the fashion model that ’s proper for you .
If you ’re not intimate , amicrocontroller(mcu for little ) is essentially a miniskirt - computer for embed app . They are programmable , with features like input signal and outturn PIN , consecutive communication interface , memory for datum storage ( RAM ) , retention for programme storage ( ROM , EPROM , EEPROM , or Flash memory ) , and analog - to - digital converters . The number and availability of these and other features vary from model to model , as does the programming oral communication and interface .
So , how do you choose which to use for your project if you do n’t have experience with a specific mcu , or want to try something new ? I ’m go to stick with three majors — the Arduino , PIC , and BASIC Stamp — and a new kid on the cube , the Netduino , to aid guide you .
Firstly , and most importantly — what sort of programming experience do you have , and with what speech communication ? Although I ’m sure some of you could tackle a undertaking promontory on with no late coding under your belt , have got an reason of introductory programming principles ( debugging , in particular ) , will greatly ease your microcontroller experience . If you ’ve never programmed before , BASIC is purpose to have a low eruditeness breaking ball , so that could be a good way of life to go . Programming for the Netduino , a new merchandise by Secret Labs LLC , is done in C # ( unless you require to hack it to program in C++ ) ; Arduino programming is very similar to C / C++ , but abstract some of the more difficult concepts through build - in functions ; BASIC , like the name suggests , is based on the introductory language ; and PIC microcontrollers can be programmed in C , Assembly , or BASIC .
For the Netduino and BASIC Stamp , you need a Windows arrangement or Windows virtual auto , but for Arduino and PIC , MAC OSX and Linux platforms are evenly compatible with their programming interface .
Next , what sort of undertaking are you plan to attempt ? Just a couple of canonic , blinking LEDs , or a full blown mechanise fomite complete with motors , servos , and a hundred other part ? To adjudicate which model to get , you ’ll need to cypher out how many I / O pivot and how much memory you will want ( which boil down to how complicated your project is ) , and your budget . If you ’re looking to check the amount of power deliver to a rowlock ( for illustration , to control the speed of a motor ) you ’ll want to count into an mcu with pulse - width intonation ( PWM ) enabled pins , which all of these models abide to alter degrees .
The Arduino Duemilanove , BASIC Stamp , Netduino , and PIC32 are corresponding in features and pricing , in the range of $ 25 to $ 40 , and should be able to deal most any project you bewilder at them . All but the BASIC Stamp are open source , but each have extensive documentation available online ( the Netduino is nonplus there ) .
Basically : If you want a popular , do - it - all microcontroller and you have some C or C++ experience , go with an Arduino ( I ’ve in person work with an Arduino Mega in the past tense and can attest to its easiness of function and suitableness for a broad range of tasks ) . If you have premature Arduino or C++/C # programming chop and want to be a trailblazer with your projects , try out a Netduino . And if you ’re new to programme , try a PIC or a BASIC Stamp .
But for more info , hold back out their company websites . [ NetduinoandArduinoandParallaxandMicrochip ]
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