Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #04670
To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Steven Bolt sbolt@xs4all.nl
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 16:53:46 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Non-beam: a Mac AVR programmer
On Sun, 20 Jun 1999, Ben Hitchcock wrote:
---8<---
> I don't really think that using a microprocessor is non-beam. For example,
> I could program the chip to have 3 virtual inverters, 2 AND gates, and 1
> NAND gate on it - it sure cuts down on on the chip count. The AT90S1200 has
> 20 pins in the same size package as we're all used to - it looks like a
> longer version of a 74HC245. And to get it to run, you need a power supply,
> a crystal, and two caps. That's it!
Actually, it's possible to switch on an internal RC-clock (or buy
the 1200A with that clock switched on). So if you don't need
precise timing or high speed, the crystal and caps aren't needed.
And a 1200 will run on anything between 2.7V and 6V. If you don't
need to write to the eeprom, Vcc can drop as low as 1.8V (1MHz
clock). The current consumption while running is typically less
than 2mA at 3V. And when using a PC to program the chip, all the
hardware you need is a 3-wire cable. I have some info on
Linkname: Programming a Spider's Brain
URL: http://www.xs4all.nl/~sbolt/e-spider_prog.html
> I'm starting to think that using a microprocessor doesn't have to be
> non-BEAM because it's the mindset, not the method, that makes BEAM so
> successful.
True. But one has to overcome a considerable barrier, before
programming uCs becomes as easy as freeforming a Solar Engine...
Only a few people on this list will be interested, I think.
Best,
Steve
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# sbolt@xs4all.nl # Steven Bolt # popular science monthly KIJK #
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