| Author |
Topic: Basic Stamp |
Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
|
Posted 13 Sep 2004 6:35 pm |
|
I am back at the College taking micro-computer interfacing. We are working with the Basic Stamp system. It is hard to believe all this thing can do. This is really applied digital computer electronics.
I see so many applications to steel guitar.
I see how I could build a pickup with it. I see how I could eliminate all the mechanical linkage under a steel guitar. I see how I can build all kinds of effects. Individuals can plug effect devices into their own personal computer and alter any perimeter.
I see how to make a device that will allow you to always be in perfect tune, even if strings are out of tune. You could set the frequency of each string by programming it on your own computer, to the Basic Stamp. To give you an idea: They put a Basic Stamp on a radio controlled airplane and did some stunts. They landed the radio controlled airplane, down-loaded the information from the Basic Stamps, and programed another radio controlled airplane. This plane took off totally under the control of the Basic Stamp program from the other plane. It flew the exact path of the first plane and performed every stunt exactly. I see how to build a digital pot where an individual can program the taper he desires on his computer. The user can set frequency, even delay. Trust me when I say, "We are about to see a revolution in electronics!" I have been wondering how many of you are working with Basic Stamps? It is a big thing in industry right now.
|
|
|
 |
Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
|
Posted 13 Sep 2004 10:32 pm
|
|
| What's a basic stamp? Is it software? Hardware? An operating system? A data storage device? Whaaaat??? |
|
|
|
Dag Wolf
From:
Bergen, Norway
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 1:30 am
|
|
So now in a little while I can program all PF solos in to my "new" steel get rid of my own fumbling... 
Dag [This message was edited by Dag Wolf on 14 September 2004 at 02:31 AM.] |
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
|
John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 3:43 am
|
|
| It is a micro processor chip that has been used for many years........JD |
|
|
|
William Peters
From:
Effort, Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 3:56 am
|
|
Keith,
You should look into the Pic line of microprocessors. They are very cheap, as low as $1.00, and are also very powerful. Basic stamps have been around for years, but aren't the best for commercial apps. If you really want to do cool stuff, pick a micro and learns its assembly language.
I have built a lot of control hardware based on the Pic processors, that include multi-tasking and I've always marveled how powerful they are.
Fun isn't it?
------------------
Bill
http://www.wgpeters.com
Mullen RP SD12U, ART-SLA, Tubefex, Vamp-Pro |
|
|
|
Scott Appleton
From:
Ashland, Oregon
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 6:27 am
|
|
Good to see the future unfold.
------------------
Mullen S12 Almost Mooney
71 Tele, Regal 45
Sho Bud S10 NP
Line 6 Flextone 3 + JBL D130 |
|
|
|
Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
|
|
|
|
Will Holtz
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 8:09 am
|
|
I've used a basic stamp on a research project. They aren't the most powerful or cheapest microcontrolers around, but they are by far the easiest to use.
What I find pretty amazing these days is the Nano-ITX mainboard series from Via. This is a 12x12 cm x86 compatible motherboard with lots of integrated stuff. Has a 1GHz processor with a max power draw of 7W. If you use a DC-DC power supply and a flash based storage, you can get a computer that is the same size as a stack of 4 CD jewel cases.[This message was edited by Will Holtz on 14 September 2004 at 09:10 AM.] |
|
|
|
chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 8:30 am
|
|
| Damn, and I just bought a LeBlond Regal lathe... |
|
|
|
Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 8:38 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| For a treat on Motorola stuff ... |
Ray.. please! Freescale Semiconductor, Motorola makes cell phones, Freescale makes MCUs.  We are no longer part of the 'mother ship'...
Professor Valvano's stuff is the absolute coolest. I used some of his custom development tools in various labs when I was at UT. I doubt anybody knows more about the 68xx device family than him...
I just checked and his hardware/software simulator for 68HCxx family is still available as a free download. That's a great tool if you're interested in learning a little embedded SW.
|
|
|
|
Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
|
|
|
|
John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 10:22 am
|
|
| Don Lancaster has printed gobs of basic stamp project articles on the "nuts and volts" website. ........ JD |
|
|
|
Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
|
Posted 14 Sep 2004 7:02 pm
|
|
| John, are you going to the Jam at Bill Jobe's near Warsaw? I am going to try and go and do a little pickin. John Hughey and several others are supposed to be there. I've sent word to Lonnie Harper in Kansas City. Yes, I know Don Lancaster has done a bunch of projects on Basic Stamps. Wonder if all those articles that were in Nuts and Volts are organized in a book? Also John, I bet you have some CB's that will burn paint at 10 miles! [This message was edited by Keith Hilton on 14 September 2004 at 08:03 PM.] |
|
|
|
John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
|
Posted 15 Sep 2004 4:29 am
|
|
Howdy Keith, I don't get very far from home anymore and have not heard about the jam. I'll look into that. I have already agreed to play a benefit for tha VFW in St.James, sunday sept 19.
I am glad to see you racing your brain with new ideas. Man I have got to get down there and see you. I'll call and see when you can grant me an audience...haha.
And..... yes, that is a Hilton pedal under my foot in the picture I sent. It is attached with a bracket I designed(attaches with one thumbscrew). It requires drilling one hole in the pedal bar. L8R ...JD |
|
|
|
Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
|
Posted 15 Sep 2004 11:42 am
|
|
| I'm not much of a BASIC fan. Forth is available for PIC microprocessors. I think Forth is a better language choice for embedded applications. |
|
|
|
Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
|
Posted 15 Sep 2004 5:59 pm
|
|
| The PIC microprocessors sound interesting, and less expensive. I am basically like a kid in a candy store working with these things. I know Don Lancaster did a lot of applications notes with Basic Stamp for Nuts and Volts magazine. Wonder if there is a book on application notes for PIC you might refer me to look into? Bob why do you like the language better? I know learning the Basic Stamp language has been like learning Latin. By the way, the President has canceled his trip to Latin American-Mexico, because he does not speak Latin. |
|
|
|
Bob Lawrence
From:
Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Posted 16 Sep 2004 5:02 am
|
|
Keith:
Welcome to the exciting world of Microcontrollers. For the newcomer, getting started with microcontrollers can be a very confusing and expensive experience. A little over a year ago I did research on various microcontrollers. I checked out the Basic stamp, Javlin Stamp (java programming), the motorolla line of micros, Intel 8051 etc... as well as a few mini web servers. I agree that the basic stamp is easy to learn and provides for a great introduction to microcontrollers. Also, there are many great books and code and circuit designs available to use as a reference point. I would also agree with those that voted for the Microchip PIC line of microcontrollers. They are extreamly powerfull and inexpensive(as stated above). You are not limited to assembler as a programming language for the PIC.For example, there are PIC compilers in Basic,Quick Basic, Pascal, C, Fourth,etc... and various versions of each.
Personally I use Assembler or Pascal or a combo of Pascal with inline assembler.
To interface the PIC to the PC I use Borland Delphi which is object pascal.(or Java for web based projects) The PIC that I have used to experiment with so far is a mainly the PIC 16F877
PIC 16F877 Spec Sheet: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/30292c.pdf
Although the Basic Stamp is powerfull it is expensive and limited in I/O lines, memory ect. As your projects get more complex you will need a microcontroller that offers
more capabilities and a better price.
For example:
PIC16F877-20/P IC
CMOS PIC Microcontroller
Pins: 40
Configuration: Flash
Speed: 20MHz
EPROM bits: 256 x 8
RAM bytes: 368
I/O lines: 33
$9.49 ( a stamp would be around $75.05)
http://microchip.com
Jameco: WWW.jameco.com (they carry PICS)
Basic compiler example: http://www.picbasic.org/
The is the developement kit that I use(assembler): http://brunningsoftware.co.uk/learnmic.htm
Books(a few that I use):
Motorola University: Digital Signal Processing(Excellent book, microcontroller related but not PIC related)
Embedded Design with the PIC 18F452 Microcontroller(Excellent and comes with the developement board and example code can be downloaded)
Understanding Digital Signal Processing (Excellent but not PIC Related)
Musical applications of Microprocessors(old edition but has unique info on interfacing to microcontrollers and music synthesis
Time'n and Count'n, PIC Microcontroller Applications Guide by David Benson, $34.95,(great reference code, assembler)
http://www.sq-1.com/index.html
Quintessential PIC Microcontroller(Assembler) http://www.engj.ulst.ac.uk/sidk/quintessential/
have fun!!!
------------------
[This message was edited by Bob Lawrence on 16 September 2004 at 06:06 AM.] |
|
|
|
