I think I'm going to go with the LIN interface. There are a few other things that I will want to add later, how complicated will it be to add another micro to the lin interface? These added functions will be controlled by the keypad micro. So I know that it will have to be reprogrammed, but will I have to reprogram all the other micros so that this new one will work?
Also, how can I shift the data into the shift registers? When I was going to use the AVR micro, there was an app note that used the MOSI MISO SCK pins to shift the data. I dont know if these are the exact pins or not, but it didnt use just a regular data pin. Can I just use a regular data pin on the PIC, (say port A.3)? Or do I need a different method? (I2C?) How many I2C connections can you have per PIC?
I got my 628A samples a couple days ago, so I'm going to start playing with Nigel's tutorials. My 877A's wont be here for another month!
I guess I cant be mad about that though, they were free
I've decided to not bother with a dimmer, I have the leds installed and they are just about the perfect brightness.
one more thing, is it helpful to have the entire datasheet for the micro printed out? It's quite a few pages, so I dont want to print it if it won't be of any use. Are there any other good online references that are helpful?
(I would print it at school of course, At least I get something worthwhile for my $4000.00 a semester :wink: )