At 08:05 AM 2/22/00 -0800, you wrote:
>I think that something is better than nothing and $50 is better than $100.
>I'd like to see it program the other chips though. That way, you could use
>it as a single development device and debug the targets that are being
>stimulated and tested via your test bench with a register monitor and other
>traditional debug methods.
>
>---
>James Newton mailto:jamesnewton@geocities.com 1-619-652-0593
>http://techref.massmind.org NEW! FINALLY A REAL NAME!
>Members can add private/public comments/pages ($0 TANSTAAFL web hosting)
>

Jim,

Already got that covered (I think). To minimize costs, the WS(C)T, ie
"World's Smallest (Cheapest) TestBench" can be put on a board about
3"x3", and exist as a tiny portable, standalone test instrument,
running off a 9v battery.

My existing Monitor chip (aka the ICTC - In-Circuit Test Chip) can be
extended to include a downloader. Also, an auxiliary board containing
a 40pin Zif socket can be connected to the WS(C)T via its logic
analyzer port. This port can then be used in 2 modes, one to send
programming signals to the Zif, and second to test the newly-
programmed target chip. There can also be an RS-232 feedthru to
the aux board for host comm with the target chip.

The whole thing can be sold as a complete kit, and also in minimal
form for tinkerers, as bare pcb + pre-programmed ICTC + host s.w.
The aux/programming board will be a separate add-on.

Now, if you can just get your '87x/debug chip on line.

- Dan Michaels
Oricom Technologies
http://www.sni.net/~oricom


>-----Original Message-----
>From: pic microcontroller discussion list
>[mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Dan Michaels
>Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 22:22
>To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: Re: Jim Newton's Idea
>Importance: Low
>
>There is another possiblity here, too. I can put my Monitor/Testbench
>chip on a board, add a PC shell program, and sell a kit for say $50 as
>the "World's Smallest Cheapest TestBench". It might not be open-source,
>but it would be cheap. What do you think?
>
>- Dan Michaels
>Oricom Technologies
>http://www.sni.net/~oricom
>
>