Electronics > Microcontrollers

PIC User wanting to go Arduino Route

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embracin:
Hi

I hope this post has not been presented before, but I've got a somewhat simple question, that I can't find a simple answer to.

I am a Third Year Electrical Engineering student, in South Africa, where our micro-controller courses have gone the way of the PIC. I would like to expand my horizons to the realm of arduino micros, so I can decide for myself which I prefer. However in order to do this, I want to compare apples to apples.

On our PIC micros, we build a board from scratch on solderless-breadboard, or veroboard depending on the application, and connect our PICKIT when we need to program/debug the unit. I was wondering how I may do so with an Arduino processor. I dont want to go the route of the UNO etc, as they 'hide' too much away from me, and in South Africa, they are quite expensive, and relatively large and un-customizable when compared to the PIC micro system as I Know it. I would like to develop my own boards to fit into very small areas, such as in remote control plane, and all the boards I have seen have been too large for my needs. Before someone brings up the Arduino Nano, the Nano requires I build another board, which I would like to avoid.

So what I am really asking is

* How do I connect an Arduino processor in a breadboard so that I can program\debug it without buying any pre-built PCB etc.
* Is it worthwhile going this route.
In case you where wondering, I DO NOT, want a PIC vs Arduino debate. I simply want to know if there is a PICKIT and breadboard equivalent in the Arduino world.

Regards
EMBracin

pkrobot:
If you dislike details to be hidden from you, then perhaps you won't like Arduino. But Arduino makes your life very easy. It is basically an AVR Atmega328 microcontroller, with a bootloader (which allows communication with it it directly from serial port), and a bunch of libraries. So already, a lot of things that you may like to do are hidden from you.

As for the price, you can get an ATmega328 without bootloader for about $3, and with bootloader for $5. You can use a cheap programmer to burn bootloader on to the chip, or you can use an Arduino Uno or an older version to do that. Do a little search on the internet, and you'll find out how to do that. In fact, the official site also gives you that info. Once you've burnt the bootloader on to the chip, you can use a simple, low cost USB-to-TTL serial converter (FTDI is expensive, consider CP2102 based converter available from ebay for less than $3). You can run the AVR chip without an external resonator/crystal for up to 1MHz, but these are cheap, so it won't drive the cost up significantly.

I really like Arduino, but if you are considering expanding your horizons, consider using MSP430, or an ARM core based microcontroller like Stellaris from TI or ST Microelectronics STM32 option. ST has STM32 Discovery kits available from mouser for as low as $8. Another option is using ST's 8-bit micro option. Their STM8S-Discovery kit is available from Mouser for less than $10, and once you have programmed it, you can break off the ST-LINK (programmer section), and use the microcontroller section in your projects. It even has a prototyping area. Have a look at it.

I don't quite understand why you don't like Arduino Nano. Take the connectors off (in fact, on ebay, you can find a lot of sellers selling it without the connectors or still unsoldered), and you shave off at least 2 grams. It is small in size, and incredibly light, because it uses SMD components. The solution is going to be lighter than if you were to make it from through hole components. I use it in my RC planes all the time. There are nano options available without the FTDI USB-to-serial chip and the USB connector (haven't used it myself, since the weight differential is minimal), which is going to be even lighter, and give you an opportunity to make and play with serial comm., since you'll have to make your own converter.

-pk

T4P:

--- Quote from: pkrobot on May 28, 2012, 04:42:14 pm ---I really like Arduino, but if you are considering expanding your horizons, consider using MSP430, or an ARM core based microcontroller like Stellaris from TI or ST Microelectronics STM32 option. ST has STM32 Discovery kits available from mouser for as low as $8. Another option is using ST's 8-bit micro option. Their STM8S-Discovery kit is available from Mouser for less than $10, and once you have programmed it, you can break off the ST-LINK (programmer section), and use the microcontroller section in your projects. It even has a prototyping area. Have a look at it.

--- End quote ---
One cannot simply opt for arduino ...
but one can just simply opt for full bore : the STM32F4-Disco i have it and it's verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry fast
like

embracin:
Thanks All for your quick responses.

I like the idea of going for alternative brands, however the issue is supply. Outside the US we get taxed really heavily for postage items, and thats if some guy in the postal service, doesnt decide to keep the stuff for himself.

So I generally tend to go for stuff I can get over-the-counter, or cash on delivery, which limits my choices quite a bit, since I only order in multiples of 2 or 3. I do, do my own PCB's so stuff like SMT components is a non-issue.

I want to go for a stand alone arduino, as I can get the ATMega-328 for $4 as opposed to the UNO for about $40, here, so you can see my thought process. Additionally I always prefer to build the actual prototype before PCB, so having through hole is generally a plus, as I like to see any bugs and quickly be able to create a solution on breadboard without going through new PCBs etc. I also would prefer a single board where less can go wrong on my Remote control applications, as I use older nitro engines, which cause far too much vibrations if multiple boards and connectors are used, which has caused a friends plane to crash dramatically (further reason for my UNO hesitation).

Those STM starter packs cost upwards of $100 here so I am quite opposed to that for the moment.

Can someone please post a link on how to burn your own bootloader, and create the necessary hardware required.

Regards
EMBracin

XynxNet:
Think about the MSP430 LaunchPad. They cost 4.30$, 2 slightly different micros are included, shipping is free and if you want to design your own optimized board later you can just yank out the dip chip an reuse it in your board.

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