Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Software => Software => Topic started by: ashour on August 25, 2010, 03:56:04 AM

Title: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: ashour on August 25, 2010, 03:56:04 AM: Hi,
I'd like to work with microcontollers to be able to enhance my robots , but i don't understand how to start?

Also is there a sort of a microcontroller that can be programmed directly from a computer maybe via a usb cable and not having to buy its programmer? , because all programmers are beyond my budget.

This a link for where i buy electronic components please would someone tell about a convenient microcontroller for a beginner?
http://ram-e-shop.com/test11/index.php?cPath=21_23 (http://ram-e-shop.com/test11/index.php?cPath=21_23)

What are the microcontollers kits? i've seen them on the electronics shop website , whats does they do and do i need one of them?

thanks
Title: Re: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: Joker94 on August 25, 2010, 04:23:35 AM: Well the first possibility if you want to build it yourself is the $50 robot micro controller. it is really cheap to build and a programmer is cheap if you have a serial port, but they are quite old and there are not many left especially on laptops. therefore you may need to invest in a programmer but the way to look at it is it is a one time buy and you can get one that will last a long time for $20. of course there are more expensive ones out there that can do more and are better quality but you can get some nice ones to start with that are cheap.

the $50 robot is a fantastic starting point for robotics, how many people on this forum started with hibby robotics.

Do you want to build a microcontroller from scratch or want a ready made microcontroller?
Title: Re: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: billhowl on August 25, 2010, 09:39:05 AM: You can use this ATMEGA8L-8PI (http://ram-e-shop.com/test11/product_info.php?cPath=21_23_181&products_id=40) to build it yourself with the SoR $50 robot.
You can also bulid your own Programmer like this
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ae0PmYTPcTs/SUlKFk7M2TI/AAAAAAAAALY/GlLLCO2AQ1c/s400/AVR.ISP.SCHEMATIC.png)
http://diy4fun.blogspot.com/2009/01/simple-serial-programmer-for-avr.html (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ae0PmYTPcTs/SUlKFk7M2TI/AAAAAAAAALY/GlLLCO2AQ1c/s400/AVR.ISP.SCHEMATIC.png
[url=http://diy4fun.blogspot.com/2009/01/simple-serial-programmer-for-avr.html)]Simple Serial Programmer for AVR[/url] using some common component ie. transistors, Zener diode and resistors.
Title: Re: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: GearMotion on August 26, 2010, 08:39:26 AM: You can see some step-by-step description of the 6-pin version of this circuit here: http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=452 (http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=452)

(http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/serprog3.jpg)
Title: Re: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: blackbeard on August 27, 2010, 11:42:35 AM: like others have said avr is the way to go if you want to be able to stick a program on a chip and profit. if you want a more lego like approach (no soldering, simple programing and the ability to reuse parts) then the arduino is another way to go.
Title: Re: Where to start with microcontollers ?
Post by: collegerobotics on August 27, 2010, 08:51:31 PM: Go with arduino man. The best for beginners. If you know a bit of C++, then run through some of the tutorials on the arduino.cc website and you should quickly get a grasp of it and be able to apply it to your project.