Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!munnari.oz.au!uokmax!apple!goofy.apple.com!esmith From: esmith@goofy.apple.com (Eric Smith) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: micro-controller Message-ID: Date: 28 Sep 90 00:08:00 GMT References: <656@isgtec.UUCP> Sender: usenet@Apple.COM Distribution: sci.electronics Organization: Frobozz Magic Widget Company Lines: 19 In-reply-to: bmw@isgtec.uucp's message of 24 Sep 90 17:09:57 GMT In article <656@isgtec.UUCP> bmw@isgtec.uucp (Bruce M. Walker) writes: >> I seem to recall an ad for a few years back about a General Instrument >> microcontroller (PIC or something) that had only 18 pins, but I don't >> know if it is fast enough. Len > >The GI PIC is actually a 12 bit instruction, 4 bit data. They >come in 18 pin versions. Take a look inside any BSR X-10 power-line >controller, they all have a CMOS PIC inside. The instruction set is as >weird as is possible for a human mind to create; that is to say, it >makes a Z80 look orthogonal. I don't believe they have an E[E]PROM >version, you have to use an expensive development system. Microchip Technology (what a stupid name!) has EPROM versions, both windowed and OTP. Their versions are fast, too, although it's still a brain-damaged architecture. O.K. for simple needs though. -- Eric L. Smith Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those esmith@apple.com of my employer, friends, family, computer, or even me! :-)