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From: lee@pipe.cs.wisc.edu (Soo Lee)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: cheap microcomputer chips for gadgets
Keywords: CMOS microcomputer chips gadgets
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.042001.13828@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
Date: 26 Jun 91 04:20:01 GMT
References: <7991@alvin.mcnc.org>
Sender: news@spool.cs.wisc.edu (The News)
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 44

In article <7991@alvin.mcnc.org> canovai@mcnc.org.UUCP (Chris Canovai [919 248-1993]) writes:
>
[much stuff deleted]
>	My question is; is there a better family of microcomputer
>	chips available today for small gadget applications?
>
>	My primary concerns are:
>
>		* Low power consumption (must be CMOS) - for solar cell power
>		* Low cost (>$10? each) - potential for mass production
>		* speed is least essential		
>
>	Also, what is the least expensive way to program these chips
>	now? Are there inexpensive programing software and hardware
>	setups/kits for pc's? ...are there service companies which will
>	take your code and do EPROM programming for a reasonable cost?
>
I was an enthusiastic fan of INTEL microcontroller family especially MCS-51
and MCS-48. However, I switched to MC68HC11 family and am looking for MC68HC16
for the near future. This coup had happened after my in-house ICE for 8051
had a bunch of chips toasted due to unhappy negligence on live 100V AC contact.

As I started with redesigning improved ICE, I just heard about the small group
of MC68HC11EVB. Actually I hated instruction set of Motorola CPUs but I flipped
the manual of HC11 family and support chips. After getting interested and
registered for mc68hc11-request@quack.sac.ca.us, I learned what problem it has
and what is needed to do real serious MDS environment. Indeed I am interested
in reliable and networked microcontroller design rather than quick and dirty
ones. Thanks to really impressive design for MC68HC11 and transparent support
chips, EVB becomes a real workhorse to my project. Even Motorola and bunch of
people post their findings thru BBS and the mail group as I mentioned.

For me, I'll live with the cute chip until at least next summer for my project.
And naturally, I'd like to recommend you MC68HC11EVB which comes with a set of
manuals, SW for both PC and MAC, and EVB with HC11A8. For further info, send
a request to the mail group(FAQ is provided) or call Motorola BBS 512-891-FREE.

>	Any experienced help would be appreciated.

I'd like to hear any comment on the selection of a microcontroller from netters
too!

Soo	lee@cs.wisc.edu
This is only my opinion and nothing represents anyone or company.