Dave VanHorn wrote:
> Die shrink. Less silicon, more chips per wafer.
>
> Have you looked into (literally) the AVR?  It's not the same as the
> 2051.

Not literally as they are all Flash types and don't have windows. I
have looked into the data sheets etc, and yes they are way different
to the 2051. Very comparable to PIC's in terms of features, good
pricing too I beleive.

I did an in depth comparison between the PIC16F876/877 and the
AT90S8535/somethingorother for a project about 18 months ago.
They were very close but I chose the PIC because I didn't need to
shell out for new development tools. At the time my conclusions
were that the PIC has as little lower power consumption
(considering clock/instruction ratios) and that the PIC had a more
generous amount of Flash (8K words vs 4K words).

The feeling I got at that time, from comments from other people,
was that generally the AVR was more hungry at using it's code
space. I usually program in C. In practice I have now done quite a
few PIC projects using Hi-Tech C and I have been very happy with
way the amount of code that I can fit into a chip. Typically my PIC
projects have been around 2-3K words, so I can use a 4K or 8K
part, and to date the 8K parts have been easier to get with very little
price difference anyway.

Don't get me wrong, the AVR is a very capable chip. I will probably
use one someday, just a matter of having a good enough reason to
set myself up for another micro family with compiler, programmer
etc.

Back to the subject for a moment: the PIC16F84 has been around
for a while now (starting with the PIC16C84) and I think it has
acheived a good following due to it being Flash amongst a world of
mask or OTP parts, ideal for small users. The price probably
reflects it popularity in a supply vs demand marketplace.

Brent Brown
Electronic Design Solutions
16 English Street
Hamilton, New Zealand
Ph/fax: +64 7 849 0069
Mobile/text: 025 334 069
eMail:  brent.brown@clear.net.nz

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