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Post by gmoon on Oct 11, 2006 6:48:06 GMT -5
While supplies last, you can get the Cypress PSoC Express Evaluation kit for free. PSoC stands for "Programmable System on Chip." from http://www.psocdeveloper.com: A PSoC devices consists of several sub systems on a single chip. The systems them self and the connections between them may be configured to achieve a system on chip. Often times for the embedded designer using a PSoC means that the bill of materials (BOM) for their product is reduced because the system that used to take several ICs can now be implemented in a single PSoC device. While BOM count reductions vary, with the right application reductions can be significant.Order the free kit from www.onfulfillment.com/cypress/landing_page.asp?source_code=M572&CID=ILC-shortlinks&shk=expresskitRead about it here (or order for $99 ) www.onfulfillment.com/cypressstore/Product.aspx?sid=205&d=30&p=889
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Post by gmoon on Oct 13, 2006 7:38:28 GMT -5
Received an email from Cypress--my kit is on the way. The uC included (two, one for each board) is a 16K flash, 256 byte ram version. Digikey sells 'em for ~4 USD.
I've learned a bit in the last day or two about the microcontroller. They integrate function blocks that are digital and 'analog' in nature. The analog blocks include opamps and 'capsense' (capacitive touch switch) technology.
Cypress PSoC controllers are used in the Apple Ipod Nano (for the wheel), and in the airframe controls of SpaceShipOne (X-prize winner.)
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Post by schism on Oct 16, 2006 19:51:04 GMT -5
I ordered my free one sunday and got the confermaton today. Although the tracking link doesn't work. And not only that I have no idea what it is, but, I like cool toys and it does look cool
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Post by gmoon on Oct 18, 2006 16:00:02 GMT -5
Just received my kit today. What is it? Two evaluation boards (w/I2C cable for comm between) for Cypress PSoC microcontrollers. Also two controllers, a USB programmer, and the wizard-driven programming software Cypress is promoting. (The PSoC uCs feature analog blocks--add filtering for SID?)
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Oct 18, 2006 16:20:50 GMT -5
Got mine this afternoon.. Looks interesting.. Shame I'm so busy currently to start with it. Anyone started with these yet?
Jeff
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Post by gmoon on Oct 18, 2006 17:07:48 GMT -5
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Post by schism on Oct 18, 2006 19:24:48 GMT -5
Hmm mine is in texas somwhere right now. Now the question is since I have a new shiney coming is simply, can you point me to the idiots guide to these critters?
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Post by gmoon on Oct 18, 2006 20:03:41 GMT -5
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Post by gmoon on Oct 19, 2006 8:09:00 GMT -5
Here's a simple project I built in PSoC Express, which blinks an LED: home.earthlink.net/~dgdtv/data/blinky1.cmxInstructions: Load the file. You can try Simulation first, but there are oddities--although the input is an interval timer, it doesn't simulate the timing. You have to explicitly click the timer on/off (but it works fine on the chip.) Build:--Click 'Build' tab --Choose the device (use the one that came with the kit, if not already set.) --Assign pins Drag the output 'LED' to pin P0(0) (if not already set.) Setup the board:--Add a jumper from P00 to any one of the LEDs. --Don't add battery or power source, we'll use the power from programmer (you can disconnect after programming and plugin the battery, tho.) Program the device: (programmer plugged to board, [photo in quickstart guide] and USB to your computer) --Click 'Program' tab. --When programmer appears, make sure 'Port' is set correctly (look at last entry, 'LPT1' is wrong ) Also, set 'Programming Mode' to RESET. --Click 'Program', and monitor the process. Run the program:--Click 'Toggle Device Power' (in programmer.) The LED should blink.
EDIT I should add that I installed the service pack 1 upgrade.
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Post by pyrofer on Oct 20, 2006 7:39:50 GMT -5
My one hasnt turned up yet. It DID ship on Friday the 13th though, do you think thats a bad sign?
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Post by gmoon on Oct 20, 2006 8:54:05 GMT -5
My one hasnt turned up yet. It DID ship on Friday the 13th though, do you think thats a bad sign? Posts on AVRfreaks seem to indicate 2-4 days. Mine took over a week, and I'm in the continental U.S.
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Post by schism on Oct 20, 2006 19:07:44 GMT -5
yeah mine was shipe on the 16th and its due on the 23rd. I hope I hope I hope
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Post by gmoon on Oct 21, 2006 20:11:46 GMT -5
Well, I was able to make something cool very quickly today--an LCD temp (thermistor) display. Took something like 10 minutes total in PSoC Express [NOT including the time spend debugging the LCD problem outlined below.]
Caveats: 1) I don't have any LCD displays with 14 inline pins (only 2x7 IDC), so I needed to solder up an adapter cable. That took way longer....
2) The default pin assignments for the PSoC Express LCD driver DON'T connect to the J9 LCD connector! I needed to refer to the schematic. With the 27443-24 there are only 3 possible placements of the LCD module driver. So it wasn't too tough to find the right combo.
Anyway...mighty cool.
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Post by gmoon on Oct 22, 2006 17:52:31 GMT -5
Not too bad for a fancy 'helloworld', eh?
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Post by schism on Oct 22, 2006 19:24:39 GMT -5
Wow thats cool. so now I have an idea what I have coming. cool deal.
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