On Tue, Apr 13, 2004 at 02:00:41PM -0400, Byron A Jeff wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 12, 2004 at 04:57:55PM -0700, Jason S wrote:
> > I'm working on a project that will need a couple of inputs and around 16
> > outputs.  The outputs will change at a few hertz at the fastest.  Is it a
> > better design to use an 8-pin PIC and send the outputs serially to a couple
> > of shift registers or a 28 pin PIC and use the outputs directly.
> >
> > It seems like the shift register solution is better design because it just
> > feels wrong to waste so many IO pins on something that simple, but the
> > larger pic means less components, less soldering,  and simpler software.
>
> KISJ,
>
> Your last statement says it all:
>
> ... the larger pic means less components, less soldering, and simpler software.
>
> It would be the winner in my book.

I need to thrown in the caveat of the small production run. I always tend to
see questions like this from the hobbyist perspective. So to rephrase:

If you're only going to build a handful, save yourself the hassle and use the
larger chip. However if you designing for 100,000 widgets, then the cost
contraints will determine the best route to take.

BAJ

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