I am planning on using a PIC16C5X for a project. The project
doesnt require much mathematical computation or the highest speed. It
basically will be
        1. Controlling and ultrasonic transmitter and receiver and
calculate object distance as an ultrasonic rangefinder.
        2. Sending simple protocol signals to communicate with an
 external device.
        3. Performing simple logic and using the timer to perform
time dependent operations.

I am concerned about the limitation of the 5 series.
The reason I would like to use the 5 series is that I found a 5 series
emulator for about $200. Alot of people told me an emulator would save
alot of headaches when debugging and will save alot of time. My main question
is, what do the higher end PICs provide? I know I have enough RAM and EPROM for
my code and program.

 1. Interrupts would be a conveninent features instead of polling, the 5 series
doesnt have them.
 2. The maximum nested subroutine limit of 2 may cause a problem, not sure yet.
 If a C compliler compensate for this, then it would be no problem.
 3. Some extra independent timers would be a big help.
 4. Is it worth using a higher end PIC and just write code with trial
and error.

Also, would any of you recommend using a C compiler to reduce the
time it takes to write code, the only problem is that the emulator
requires code in assembly and it may be alot of trouble trying to debug
the compiled assembly, than if I wrote the code myself in assembly.
Does anyone know where I can get a C compiler for 16C5X series and
find some examples?

I would appreciate any advice.



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                                Neil B. Gandler
                             University at Buffalo
               Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
                            Masters of Engineering
                         v064mb9k@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu
                     http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~gandler/
                                (716) 691-3471

          Seeking career in Instrumentation and Digital System Design
                       San Jose, California  August 1996
               http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~gandler/resume.html
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