Bob Blick wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:24:09 +0100, "Wouter van Ooijen" <wouter@voti.nl>
> said:
>   
>>> Most likely the chip ID and silicon revision are store at the address close to each other, 
>>>       
>>  > It won't be too hard to get both at the same time.
>>  > Again, We can check with Micorchip.
>>
>> The ID and revision share the same address, for istance 2006 in (most?) 
>> 14-bit cores. No need to ask, the info is in the programming
>> specifications.
>>
>> But what is lacking is the relation between the scilicon-stored revision 
>> number and the errata revisions..
>>     
>
> It's all lacking. Microchip doesn't make much effort to give us the
> information we need. They leave beta testing to the customers. You
> shouldn't have to track down and study multiple documents to figure out
> which chip revision you have and which errata applies to it. None of us
> have time for that. No one but you and a couple of others on this list
> who design programmers should ever have any reason to read programming
> specifications.
>
> Microchip is spread way too thin, and there are too many bugs in their
> chips.
>
> Cheerful regards,
>
> Bob
>
>   
I hate to agree, but it is true. I went to TI's "MSP430 Day 2008" to 
look over their device set and their
development tools. Boy was I impressed: the eZ430-RF2500 development 
tool is a FINE piece of workmanship,
yet costs only $49 USD.

The eZ430-RF2500 is in two parts: the USB part plugs into a USB port, 
but there are NO wires-  it is  a wireless
connection over to the second part, which connects to the device to be 
debugged or programmed, and uses two
AAA batteries. This completely eliminates ground noise, the ICD2's  main 
problem (I suspect). It is also extremely
convenient. This tiny setup allows debugging AS WELL AS programming of 
their entire range of devices. The radio
range inside the classroom  seemed to be more than 12 meters.

Microchip needs to wise up before it is too late.

--Bob A
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