Where to start with microcontollers ?

[ashour]

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

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

 

[Joker94]

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?

[billhowl]

You can use this ATMEGA8L-8PI to build it yourself with the SoR $50 robot.
You can also bulid your own Programmer like this

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.

[GearMotion]

You can see some step-by-step description of the 6-pin version of this circuit here: http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=452

[blackbeard]

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.

[collegerobotics]

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.