Folks, I am looking for reasons why not to use an Arduino when it WILL do the job. Please use words as to why it is a bad idea, not personal opinions. I have already stated the 'protecting the software' part, what other reasons?
Ok, cost seems to be thrown in, how much does an Arduino cost compare to a custom board?
I'm not sure how an Arduino would make repairing the thing any easier. If the micrcontroller is shot and you don't have the source then you're pretty much SOL anyway.
Does this answer OP's question?
The ATmega has some lock bits to prevent firmware extraction. And they are set even for open source firmware by some vendors. We've seen this several times for clones of the Transistortester.
I can agree atleast in that if you use Arduino Uno board, thats not professional
- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
- +5VDC regulator (UA78M05CDCYRG3) = $0.62
- 16 MHz christal (ABL-16.000MHZ-B2) = $0.34
- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've never used one.
- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
- +5VDC regulator (UA78M05CDCYRG3) = $0.62
- 16 MHz christal (ABL-16.000MHZ-B2) = $0.34
- Mini-B socket (67503-1020) = $0.65
can you use a proper debugger with arduino yet? That would be my biggest showstopper for arduino in professional development of any kind..
QuotePlease correct me if I'm wrong as I've never used one.You're wrong, and you've admitted that you don't have the background to adequately pass judgement...
Quote- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
- +5VDC regulator (UA78M05CDCYRG3) = $0.62
- 16 MHz christal (ABL-16.000MHZ-B2) = $0.34
- Mini-B socket (67503-1020) = $0.65If you'd put those parts, at those prices, on your "professional" board, I think your customers would have been better off with one of those "cheaper clones" that you rejected... In particular, both the m168 and the FT232rl are long-obsolete and consequently overpriced compared to their more modern replacements.
Maybe we should be careful to define "professional" as well? I don't believe it's the same as "mass produced"...
QuotePlease correct me if I'm wrong as I've never used one.You're wrong, and you've admitted that you don't have the background to adequately pass judgement...Quote- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
- +5VDC regulator (UA78M05CDCYRG3) = $0.62
- 16 MHz christal (ABL-16.000MHZ-B2) = $0.34
- Mini-B socket (67503-1020) = $0.65If you'd put those parts, at those prices, on your "professional" board, I think your customers would have been better off with one of those "cheaper clones" that you rejected... In particular, both the m168 and the FT232rl are long-obsolete and consequently overpriced compared to their more modern replacements.
Maybe we should be careful to define "professional" as well? I don't believe it's the same as "mass produced"...
- Microcontroller (ATMEGA168-20AU) = $3.42
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
- +5VDC regulator (UA78M05CDCYRG3) = $0.62
- 16 MHz christal (ABL-16.000MHZ-B2) = $0.34
- Mini-B socket (67503-1020) = $0.65
- About 10 passives. Lets say your getting ripped off for the passives like everyone else at the moment and pay $0.13 each.
So your total component cost here is $10.83
- USB Serial UART (FT232RL - 895"FT232RL) = $4.50
LOL...I have been using the FT232rl for the past decade. It is sort of, well, just works, so why replace it? What is a more modern option? I am not arguing, I really want to know.
LOL...I have been using the FT232rl for the past decade. It is sort of, well, just works, so why replace it? What is a more modern option? I am not arguing, I really want to know.USB UART converter is a workaround in it's nature. If you need USB, just pick MCU which supports it natively.
Maybe we should be careful to define "professional" as well? I don't believe it's the same as "mass produced"...
LOL...I have been using the FT232rl for the past decade. It is sort of, well, just works, so why replace it? What is a more modern option? I am not arguing, I really want to know.USB UART converter is a workaround in it's nature. If you need USB, just pick MCU which supports it natively.
LOL....good point. Thanks!
Quick question, though. If you use USB, is the driver stuff taken care of?
LOL...I have been using the FT232rl for the past decade. It is sort of, well, just works, so why replace it? What is a more modern option? I am not arguing, I really want to know.USB UART converter is a workaround in it's nature. If you need USB, just pick MCU which supports it natively.
LOL....good point. Thanks!
Quick question, though. If you use USB, is the driver stuff taken care of?
Maybe we should be careful to define "professional" as well? I don't believe it's the same as "mass produced"...
Sure it is. By definition, professionals are those who make money from their activity, while amateurs do not (e.g. professional golfer vs. amateur golfer). In electronics, to make money, the product must be produced in some quantity. And conversely, if you produce something in quantity, you're doing this to make money. "Mass production" is probably too big of a word. but production in quantities is what distinguish professionals from amateurs.
Computer programmers often write systems that only have one copy in use, by one client. Consulting engineers of any kind (mechanical, electrical) as well. Not to mention architects.