On Fri, Nov 18, 2016 at 06:36:46PM +0000, Peter Onion wrote:
> On Fri, 2016-11-18 at 12:35 -0500, Byron Jeff wrote:
>=20
> >=20
> > I've been working on a comparative analysis of Raspberry Pi Zeros to PI=
CS.
> > The Zero seems to be relatively cost effective for simple high level ta=
sks.
> > For example my current task with one is converting a chest freezer with=
 a
> > faulty thermostat into a wirelessly connected refridgerator. Using a 1$=
 USD
> > special buy on the Zeros the core ends up being under $10 USD. An added
> > DS1820 digital temp sensor and an SSD, it's cheap and simple to get a
> > project going.
> >=20
> > The problems are lack of decent peripherals (multiple PWM/CCP, lack of =
ADC)
> > and high power consumption. But for simple wall connected tasks, it wor=
ks
> > well
>=20
> I'm actually working on finishing a project I started over 10 years ago,
> but it stalled when I needed to provide some mass-storage.  I built a
> Compact-Flash card interface but never finished the file system code.
>=20
> So now I'm using a PI3 to provide the file server features.  The PICs
> are all 18F4585s with CAN interfaces and the PI has a PICAN2 CAN
> interface.

That's an excellent integration of the two levels of technologies. Right
now a couple of my students and I are working on various types of
communication interfaces between the two including I2C and nrf24l01 $1 USD
radios. Just experimenting for now. Nothing solid yet.

>=20
>=20
> > On the PIC side, there have been significant improvements. The PIC24 an=
d
> > PIC32MX families have real horsepower, decent high level programming
> > language support, excellent peripherals, and easy hobby packages with 5=
V
> > support. My favorite right now is the PIC24FV families of chips in the =
20
> > and 28 pin dip packages. While I still program them in assembly using
> > Microchips 16 bit assembler, C is available with significant library
> > support in MPLABX.  Also much lower power consumption is possible.
> >=20
> > But at this point, think long and hard before diving back into PIC16F c=
hips
> > in assembler. I started with the 16C54 25 years ago and ended with the
> > 16F1938 a few years ago. I wouldn't look back to that family unless the=
re
> > was a significant reason to do so.
>=20
> I've actually bought a couple of PIC24FJ64GA004s (and breakout boards to
> mount them on) to play with and learn about the newer families.

If you just want to experiment might I suggest either the PIC24FV32KA302 or
the PIC24FV16KM202. 28 pin dips. 5V capable. the KM family has a nice motor
control package. No breakout necessary.

BAJ
--=20
Byron A. Jeff
Associate Professor: Department of Computer Science and Information Technol=
ogy
College of Information and Mathematical Sciences
Clayton State University
http://faculty.clayton.edu/bjeff
--=20
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