At 07:21 PM 01/10/00 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>> >To me it doesn't matter, because I rarely use PICs.  A key advantage
>> >of large flash arrays is that they not only allow bulk erasing but
>> >also bulk programming.  During development, where I don't need Verify,
>> >I can reprogram a 128kb ATmega103 (>90% full) in about 30 seconds.
>> >On the other hand I frequently read on this list that an 8kb PIC16F87x
>> >needs 2 minutes or more.
>>
>>This is entirely sulfureous. The ATmega103 is EEPROM the same as the
>>16F87x.
>
>
>Sulfureous?

Yes, well in the context of the argument of the flash Vs EEPROM because
the ATMEL part is EEPROM like the 16F87x.

However this issue of programming time is not sulfureous as an
engineering or production matter. That fact that I have a patch
for the picstart plus to shorten the programming time of the
16F87x flash substantially shows I understand this. ;-)

I would never use a picstart plus to program the 16F87x parts
without my own driver and patched firmware, plug, plug. ;-)


>I recently had to reprogram some F876s, (using picstart) and my comment at
>the time was "I'll never complain about the programming speed on my 8535's
>again!"

Wait for the 8555s, you will love them for there programming speed. They
have a 32 byte write buffer (Plus 8x8 signed and unsigned multiply and
code protect options that allow protected areas to be software programmed
etc, etc.)

>
>The programmer I'm using now on the AVRs is a lot slower than the one I
>used to use.. Never clocked it, but a very noticable difference.
>
>I guess it's mostly in the programming algorithm.

Could be. Data polled Vs Minimum safe program time but the conservative
nature of microchip is also an issue. I believe the Microchip EEPROM
programs as fast as the ATMEL it is just that microchip allow a much
larger margin for safety. ATMEL as we know, can over rate things a little
(Remember the 16MHz micros that became 12MHz.)

-Jim

>--
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>
>
>
Regards,

Jim Robertson
NEWFOUND ELECTRONICS
Email: newfound@pipeline.com.au
http://www.new-elect.com
MPLAB compatible PIC programmers.

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