Hi everyone

I went on vacation and haven't signed back on the PICLIST so could you respond
directly to me at PHXSYS@AOL.COM.

I am a beginner and started with the 16F84 and have completed several projects
and am having alot of fun. I recently read an article in Circuit Cellar (Sep
98) about a "Automotive Travel Computer" and was impressed at what the authur
accomplished with the MC68HC705C8 processor that I wanted more information. I
was impressed with the capabilities and power of this processor and the price
of around $3.00 US. This chip has many hardware features that seem to simplify
programming.

When I looked at the instruction set I also saw that it had a multiply
instruction and easy tables. I have been suffering in software to accomplish
multiplication, PWM, servo and pulse measurement,  it's a royal pain.

Is there a multiply instruction for any of the PIC micros? Maybe the more
sophisticated chips?

What is the best PIC micro that can do all the tasks that this MC68HC705C8 can
(PWM, input/output compare, SPI, A/D converter and more) and at what cost?

I want to make sure I made the right choice in investing my learning time and
$$ in the Microchip line of processors.

My project has similar inputs to the one in Circuit Cellar, but not a trip
computer, it includes RPM input, frequency input of speed sensor, (3) 0-5v
analog inputs (1) R/C servo output, (1) PWM output, LCD interface, serin and
serout, and elapsed time
counter.

Could someone point me to the best chip?

In addition I see alot of reference to C compilers. I have been using a BS2
from parallax, the main limitaion I have found using BASIC (also PicBasicPro)
is the inability to run tasks in the background. Since I need timers, pulse
measurement X2, PWM and Servo output I built a 16F84 (in assembly) to take
serial instructions from a BS2 which runs the outputs until a change is
necessary and the 16F84 provides the timing count. I am also using an SPI A/D
converter. The 16F84 program was a monster and has no room for growth. I am
sure there is a better way ie

--hardware on chip or simplier language that allows multitasking which brings
me back to the C compiler, can I program in C (which I would have to learn) to
perform multitasks on a more sophisticated PIC?

Thanks in advance

Jon