805X's
You should still consider the 805X series of processors. Yes, there is a
huge selection of them about but a lot of the newer variations have ISP
(In System Programming) interfaces and you can build the hardware to
a finished (or almost finished) state and update the firmware at will. And
some of the newer ones from Atmel, Dallas / Maxim have serial, USB, i2C,
parallel, A/D, D/A, and keyboard interfaces built in! Now one thing kind of
on the down side is that these processors come in really tiny .5mm TQFP
packages and need adapter boards. these are easily available from places
like
www.schmartboard.com (a hell of a selection of prototype boards are
available, highly recommended). Their new EZ series makes it super easy
to jump into surface mount prototyping to shrink those projects you have.
or another board supplier I found with cheap boards at
https://stores.ebay.com/MeasureExplorer. Actually I've found a few
places but these have had the best quality boards. And fast shipping.
And most of these chips can be programmed using standard programmers
too if you don't want to mess with the ISP programming interface. I've used
these boards to make adapters for conventional programmers, but where they
really shine is when you get the design hardware finished and then decide
to build it with SMD's. The footprint shrinks dramatically. Yeah, you need
steady hands and if you're an old fart like me more than likely a magnifier
with a light source. But the end result is certainly worth the effort. Tiny,
rugged and a mighty feeling of accomplishment when you're done. Also, some
of those newer microcontrollers use so little power and have such a wide
power supply range that you can power them off of the serial, parallel or USB
ports eliminating the power supply portion of the show. If you do get the
adapters from one of these guys then tell them the Young Scientists Club
sent you. They've been so supportive in the past that I just want them to
know how much I appreciate them. And no, they don't pay me. Ha ha. They
just seem to be in the business for all the right reasons. To help folks learn
and get their projects going. And some of the gear they offer REALLY saves
that that most precious of commodities, TIME. Anyway, consider those
processors. There are such huge libraries of software for them. They've been
around so long that almost every problem you can think of coding them has
been addressed by someone out there. And the manufacturers have started
to supply their own code examples and development software for free. You
on have to download it and read, read, read, read.......... Then DO!
Dr. Atomic