gmane.comp.hardware.microcontrollers.pic

[EE] Sun SUNSPOT - new ?

Peter — 2008-12-01T14:53:57

This is new to me. Sun Microsystems has come out with something called SunSpot, tiny Java programmable microcontrollers aimed at developers. http://www.sunspotworld.com/docs/ Does anybody here use them ? Peter

[admin] question

Peter — 2008-12-01T14:23:07

Is there a badword filter on this list ? I posted a short message that contained the word s k u n k and it seems to be gone. I would like to know. Peter

[EE] A few days work for a Technician / Engineer / Student in NewYork city

SME — 2008-12-01T05:30:23

Available (maybe): A few days basic mechanical / electrical hands on work. Boring and repetitive :-). Location: New York City or nearby. _________ I MAY have a requirement in the immediate future for a technician (even an engineer would suffice :-) )(and a competent student may be as good as any if they had the time available) in or near New York city. Technical level of work is yet to be decided but may be not much more than the ability to use a screwdriver and to demonstrate a good level of common sense and reliability. May be up to a weeks work - possibly half that. Payment - as little as possible and as much as necessary. If possibly interested please contact me OFFLIST at MKBStechnology< at >gmail.com (NOT to this email's send address.) SME

[PIC] Comparing a PIC with a PLC

Jinx — 2008-11-29T08:20:43

I'm assessing a job, which I think a low-end 18F can do fairly simply. The logic is quite straight-forward. Inputs are two 4-20mA transducers, a mains relay, and two temperature sensors, with a real-time clock. Outputs are a couple of alarm lines, LCD, and a few pushbuttons to set parameters The scenario might be something like - If transducer1 is a certain value and temperature sensor2 is a certain value, then turn on the mains and measure temperature sensor1 after 1 minute to make sure the appliance (a chiller) is running. And various IF....THEN combos like that I was talking over the pricing structure with a couple of people and they both suggested that I base it at less than the cost of an 'industrial PLC' which would be needed. Their thought is that the lower (but not too low) price mentioned in the same breath as a PLC will make my PIC sound more attractive. Can't say I'm 100% about that but they won't shut up about PLCs ! I'm a complete ignoramus in the PLC department http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

[PIC] Garbage out of UART after "reset" instruction -- weird fix

Vitaliy — 2008-11-29T01:45:11

Just throwing this out there, in case someone knows about the issue... So we have a chip, that prints a "welcome" message on startup. It is possible to sent it a message on UART, that would execute the "reset" instruction, which is #defined like this: #define p_Reset() __asm__ volatile ("reset") Everything was working well, until I turned on optimizations. On power-on, the chip sends the welcome message like it should. However, after the UART "reset" command, it spits out a bunch of garbage instead of the welcome string. Inserting a small delay: for (i =0; i < 100; i++) ; ..fixes the problem (i < 10 is not long enough). Any ideas about what's going on? I'm just starting to look into this problem, but in case someone knows the answer and wants to help me an hour or two of debugging, I'll be grateful. :) Vitaliy

[OT] Angry Mac man

Vitaliy — 2008-11-28T23:59:39

Yesterday we did an email blast (to our existing customers) announcing the ScanMaster software. Apparently, it made someone very, very upset. ------------------------- WE KNOW THIS WILL SHOCK YOU TO YOUR VERY CORE DUO 2, BUT THERE ARE MANY, MANY MAC PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO ARE KNOWN TO PURCHASE COOL ELEGANT STUFF - NO MATTER THE COST! MEANWHILE, YOU ONLY MARKET TO THE PC COMMUNITY, WHOSE ONLY GOAL IN LIFE IS TO SEE HOW CHEAPLY THEY CAN BUILD ONE! DUH?! MARK MY PROFILE AS A MAC-ONLY USER (IF YOU CAN GET YOUR PC TO DO THAT) AND PLEASE DO NOT WASTE MY TIME WITH "OFFERS" I CANNOT USE. IF THAT CODING IS TOO TOUGH, PLEASE JUST REMOVE ME FROM ALL YOUR MAILING LISTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH! [snipped eight signature lines] "Never ask a man what computer he uses. If it's a Mac, he'll tell you. If it's not, why embarrass him?" - Tom Clancy ------------------------- :)

[OT] Business for sale

Jinx — 2008-11-28T20:24:30

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10544819

[AD] ScanMaster OBD-II diagnostic software

Vitaliy — 2008-11-28T19:33:14

We launched a new version of the scantool.net site on Wednesday night. This has just been added: http://www.scantool.net/scanmaster.html Comments on the site/software/etc, are very welcome. ScanMaster is a software for automotive diagnostics, with a clean and simple interface. Key features: * Automatic, hands-off protocol detection * Real-time data, available in the form of tables, graphs, and gauges * Reads all generic and manufacturer-specific DTCs * Database of over 4200 generic DTCs, and over 3600 manufacturer-specific DTCs * Can be used to turn off the "Check Engine" light (MIL), and clear all emissions-related diagnostic information * Oxygen sensor test results * Continuous and non-continuous monitor test results * VIN, Calibration ID, In-Use Performance Tracking * Multi-language support: Croatian, Czech, Danish, English, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Serbian, and Spanish. * Metric and English units of measure * Printable diagnostic reports * Data loggin

[AD] Bluetooth + RS232 adapters, OBD cables -- smaller lots

Vitaliy — 2008-11-28T19:24:39

Updated descriptions, most items now come in smaller lots. http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/obd2cables More OBD cables here:

[AD] 20 MHz microprocessor crystals for sale

Artie Jones — 2008-11-28T17:28:12

100 pieces of ECS HC49/US SMT package 20.0 MHz microprocessor crystals. $13 per hundred. Make offer for smaller or larger quantity. Also have other items available, http://www.box.net/shared/a29nl8yqf4 for more complete list. Paypal accepted. Enjoy. Art

[EE]:: SMD switch mounting reliability - comments sought

apptech — 2008-11-28T06:21:41

An existing push button N/O push to operate switch uses through hole techology. Use rate is reasonably high - target is 100,000 reliable operations in 5 years. It's behind a rubber boot and forces on it are liable to be "reasonably vertical" most of the time. A user would have to try reasonably hard to exert any noticeable sideforce on the switch. It's in portable equipment which is liable to be in regular use every dau in many cases and also liable to be subject to a reasonable amount of rough and tumble The switch is not liable to usually be subject to extreme forces and it's not a high vibration environment. [[No prizes for guestimating the appliocation. Nor comment probably]]. SO The manufacturer wants to change to a surface mount switch. I'm a bit dubious about the probable longevity of the mounting if solder alone is used. Adhesive could be added as a backup. Any thoughts? Ant experiences to relate? Vaguely related data points: - Solder is subject to creep tatigue. - Make a key ring fr

[OT] How should I teach electronics (to a seven-year old)?

Normand Fisher — 2008-11-26T20:52:18

I've seen many recommendations on how to teach electronics in this forum but they were all geared towards more mature students. My 7-year old grand-daughter wants to learn electronics. The last thing I want to do is to discourage her by using the wrong approach. I'm not convinced that some kits labeled as suitable for a seven year old are necessarily good for learning. They may be more about playing. If anyone here has some pointers (courses, kits, advice, etc...) I would sincerely appreciate it. Normand

[EE] Miniature 7-segment display

Brooke Clarke — 2008-11-26T17:35:28

Hi Xiaofan: I have some hand held military radios that have a LCD assembly which is slightly larger than a Nickel coin, see: http://www.prc68.com/I/816173.shtml#LCD there are 5 7-segment characters about 1/8" high. It uses COB technology and has a back light. I have not found a source for them as spare parts. http://www.prc68.com/I/816173.shtml#LCD I've started looking into using a multiplexed glass, which might be lower in cost than a custom part but that takes many more PIC pins to drive than the 4 wire interface for the above COB unit.

[PIC] default configuration bits

Artem Zezyulinskiy — 2008-11-26T15:46:37

Hi, guys! Do you think that chips that I buy from Microchip have default Config Bits programmed? If yes, how I can know what is the 'default'

[EE]: Reprap circuit printing

Brendan Moran — 2008-11-26T03:06:25

The second generation of reprap is supposed to support printing circuit. The method proposed is printing low-melt metal such as field's metal or woods metal. This has a number of drawbacks, the low melt-point is generally incompatible with any form of power electronics since high temperatures could cause melting, woods metal is toxic and the alternative, field's metal, melts at an even lower temperature. Because the molten metal has high surface tension, it must be poured into channels rather than being extruded onto a smooth surface. Based on these issues, I've been looking for another solution for printing conductive material. The broad requirements for the material are these: 1. Must be printable, that is it must be possible to load a syringe up with the material, squeeze it out onto the substrate, and let it cure. Two-part compounds would be alright provided that a mechanism for clearing the print nozzle is practical. 2. Must be conductive, at least as conductive as gold (Ag>Cu>Al>Au) 3.

[EE] ADC development module recommendations

Marcel Birthelmer — 2008-11-25T15:53:25

Hi list, for a school project, I would like to implement some digital signal processing in an FPGA. To accomplish that, I'm in need of an ADC front-end, and for reasons of development time and lack of experience, I would like to go with a manufacturer's development module. My (optimistic) requirements are thus: 1) I need to capture signals of 1MHz or so, so 2+ MSPS, at 16+ bits of resolution 2) I am not a large corporation, so something that's easily available 3) I am but a poor student, so something < $100 So if any of you have experience with anything that matches the above and can make a recommendation, please do so. Of course, if you have any boards laying around that you're not using, I won't say no to that, either. Thanks, - Marcel

[EE] Flukeview 90SW software for Fluke 105 scopemeter

Mike snyder — 2008-11-25T12:12:06

Hi all, I have a Fluke 105 scopemeter, yes it is old but for the type of stuff I use it for it has plenty of oomph. Unfortunately the Flukeview software that came with it was on floppy discs and I never bothered to transfer it to CD and the floppies are no longer readable. I was wondering if anyone has the flukeview software that they would be willing to share, I emailed Fluke but I guess unless I show them some more money they are not going to respond, and I hate to shell out money for software that I already paid for once... Thanks Mike

[EE]: Measuring absolute deflection

Michael Algernon — 2008-11-24T23:21:25

I want to measure the absolute deflection of a piece of tape 20 inches long. One possibility is to use piezoelectric film. Is piezo film good only for measuring change of deflection rather than absolute deflection ? Is there any sensing technology that would measure absolute deflection given that I am constrained to a "tape-like" sensor that is 20 inches long ? MA WFT Electronics Denver, CO 720 222 1309 " dent the UNIVERSE " All ideas, text, drawings and audio , that are originated by WFT Electronics ( and it's principals ), that are included with this signature text are to be deemed to be released to the public domain as of the date of this communication .

[OT] Youtube as music player

Sean Breheny — 2008-11-24T19:06:58

Hi all, I've been using Youtube as a free source of music. Lots of music companies have posted their music videos legally on Youtube. Of course, there's a lot of illegal stuff, too, but it seems that the music companies are interested in putting some videos on Youtube themselves. One thing I've been wondering is whether there is a way to play only the audio from a Youtube video. Since I am just listening to the audio while working, it is a shame that I have to take up bandwidth by streaming the video, too. A quick Google search didn't turn up much. Thanks, Sean

[EE] HSB host mode microcontroller/SPI peripheral

Forrest W Christian — 2008-11-24T06:51:27

I'm still (a year later), on the quest for some way to act as a USB Host in a low-pin-count device. What I am looking for is either a SPI (or I2C) peripheral or a full blown microcontroller which can interface to various USB devices - typically USB HID or serial CDC, but not mass storage. The "other end" of this application will be a multidrop serial bus - the serial-port side code currently easily fits in 4Kwords in a PIC18f886 - Of course, i'm not sure how much room the USB side needs. So, essentially I need a microcontroller with USB Host mode, and a serial port - or a pair of chips which do the same thing. I'm looking to keep the costs low. Plus, I'd love to stay with through-hole (dip), but I realize that may not be realistic anymore. My ideal situation would be a 28 Pin PIC18 with USB host mode capable of talking to a couple (few) USB endpoints. But since that doesn't exist, I'm looking. So far, the most "interesting" device is the PIC32 with USB host - if I could get them i

[PIC] Trouble with ICD2 + adaptor board (AC162050) for Pic12f675

Steve Smith — 2008-11-24T03:20:22

Guys : I have the following message when trying to program a 675 with known working code. The wdt and cp have been disabled and still this message.. Any ideas... I have been through the help file and there is nothing obvious ..Validating configuration fields Connecting to debug executive Entering Debug Mode ...Programming GOTO 0x00 command ICD0083: Debug: Unable to enter debug mode. Please double click this message for more information. MPLAB ICD 2 ready for next operation Thanks Steve