Must be time for standard question number 16.3.4(a) again :-).

What is the cheapest sensibly accessible and usable microcontroler around?
That needs qualifying.

- Aim is ability to do at least "what if" investigations on a modest budget, 
even if final development work was done 'elsewhere'
- Ideally will operate from say 2V - 5.5V (so otherwise rather nice looking 
5V only ST7FOXxxx a non starter)
- Starts and stays running well in real world (ie good POR and 
anti-brownout. Maybe watchdog).
- Operates or able to operate on internal oscillator.
- Has some I/O ( :-) ). (2 just maybe, 4 better, 6 good, more nice)
- Timer a welcome bonus (few wouldn't have)
- Interupt(s) a welcome bonus (most have)
- ADC a most welcome bonus
- Comparator a bonus.
- PWM a bonus.
- Non utterly arcane instruction set a bonus (eg F8 need not apply ;-) ).
- Flash versions for development or even windowed eprom OK  - if production 
parts are OTP. Mask for production if it must be. Die & COB in due course if 
it got the cost down.

- Available in modest volumes (ie you can buy development quantities.
- Modest cost development tools available (ie assembler available, can be 
programmed easily enough or basic programmer available).

The PIC 10F2xx is about as good as I can find so far.
10F200 not much over $US0.30 in thousands before you start haggling.
4 I/O. Timer. Comparator.

PIC16F54 is not much dearer. Timer. No comparator. Substantially more I/O.

Holtek may yet do far better.
I'm just starting to dance the dance of finding out.

There is a world (I'm told) of arcane 4 bit creations 'out there' - but 
generally development access is not easy.

Other suggestions most welcome.
Under $US0.30 in thousands to 10,000 to ... possible OK.
25 cents getting good.
Anything that can achieve $US0.20 in 100,000+ would be very nice
At that price with say 6 I/O I could probably even tolerate no timer, no 
interupts, no ... .
And, odds are, almost anything will have these.

Thoughts?


              Russell







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