Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: matt33 on April 15, 2008, 11:54:26 AM

Title: Microprocessors
Post by: matt33 on April 15, 2008, 11:54:26 AM
hello all! my name is Matthew and i'm new to all this robotics stuff! I am going to be needing alot of help, if you all could supply me with it! this website really got me interested in robotics, I recently read the how to make a 50$ robot and as of now am obsessed with robotics and want to learn more! My first goal is to actually make the 50$ robot, but i have a few questions. What is the difference between different microprocessors? Can they be programmed using different programming languages? Im going to buy one this Thursday, and need advice on what to buy.. any suggestions? I want a good "investment".... i might have already said a couple of stupid stuff already but, forgive me, im nooby... it would really mean alot if you guys could help out. THANKS!
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: matt33 on April 15, 2008, 11:59:40 AM
i meant microcontroller btw  :P
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: superchiku on April 15, 2008, 12:05:37 PM
firs of all welcome to the forum, its nice to hear that you got interest in robotics...

yes different microcontrollers can be programmed differently but the programming language remains the same like C only difference is that name of the registers that u define in different microcontrollers will be different....

and yes a single variety of microcontroller can be programmed in different computer languages , it depends on the compiler u are using For example- avr series microcontrollers can be programmed with C , basic and assembly

for c you need the avrgcc-winavr compiler

for basic you need the bascom -avr compiler

and for assembly avr studio will be enough to debug and test the code

what you need to buy has already been given in ADMIN's $50 robot tutorial so you need not need to be tensed about that, just read the tutorial thoroughly and you'll get ur answers, if u dont then you always have the forum to ask for help..
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: matt33 on April 15, 2008, 12:12:54 PM
thanks for your help, man? but whats a compiler?
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: superchiku on April 15, 2008, 12:22:51 PM
hmm....

my first question...

Have you done programming bfore????

if yes then i dont have any clue why you dont know abt compilers

if no

then my 1st advide is learn programming as soon as possible coz without that skill robotics will be a far cry

well as you know computers only understand a specific kinda language that is the machine code which is in terms of 0's and 1's so writing a program using these numbers only can get much difficult for programmers

so in order to solve that high level languages were made in which coding could be done in common english ... but since computer only understands 0's and 1's , efficent translators had to be used which could convert high level to machine code , compiler is a kind of translator , it changes HLL to machine code all code lines at once...


that should clarify your doubt

for more info wikipedia will be a good option



Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: Trumpkin on April 15, 2008, 03:45:32 PM
Just do the $50 robot tutorial and then learn to program.
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: pomprocker on April 15, 2008, 04:52:43 PM
Take it one step at a time. Learn as you go by doing it.

You can use the augemented MCU you make in the $50 robot tutorial for many robots.

What i've done is I made it and then I have just kept on improving upon it as I go.

It is very upgradeable.
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: Private Reid on April 15, 2008, 08:19:30 PM
well I'm making the $50 robot and I'm just learning as I go.

Admins tutorial is very easy to follow, even if you don't know anything about programming or electronics.

My 101 post...
I feel special...
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: superchiku on April 16, 2008, 07:57:49 AM
follow the kiss principle, and aquire the basics and go one step at a time.........
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: epicjr77 on April 16, 2008, 09:31:17 PM
look at the parallax basic stamp discovery kit, it walks you through programing and electronics, and its very easy to use
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: matt33 on April 21, 2008, 06:09:28 AM
thanks guys.. and girls?  :P  what im looking for is a microcontroller that is a good "investment", something strong and powerfull, capable, but with a low price tag, any ideas? (somewhere from 30 - 60 $)
Title: Re: Microprocessors
Post by: JAy1st on April 21, 2008, 06:28:14 AM
Cheap : arduino 30$ max(free GUI  and good for learning)
Less cheap (but bigger) : Wiring board 80$ max (free GUI same as arduino good for learning too)
Extracheap: AVR GCC (bit complicated) and any AVR but no board..........

Then you have all the OOPIC, Basic Stamp, etc....