Microcontroller programming

I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
Hardware) i need to get a start.

On 28 Sep 2006 22:50:03 -0700, Demon wrote:
> I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
> C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
> the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
> Hardware) i need to get a start.

First of all you have to learn CPU architecture. Best way to do that is
assembly programming :)

Demon wrote:

> I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
> C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
> the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
> Hardware) i need to get a start.

Pre-requisites:

1. Knowledge of CPU architecture. How MMUs, interrupts, etc work.
2. Knowledge of some sort of assembler - how to write software for a
processor when there is no OS is beneficial.
3. Knowledge of how a compiler and linker works, and what the output
from a linker actually contains.
4. Masochistic tendencies. Debugging real-time multi-threaded apps using
a single LED and a CRO is not unheard of! ;)

Tools (software and hardware):

*Completely* dependent on the chosen MCU. At the low end you have
8051-type processors with simple, free dev suites like SDCC (I'd say PIC
but they're a little too left of the middle) or commercial compilers. At
the mid-high end you'll be using GCC/GDB or commercial software.

Generally a 'development kit' or 'evaluation board' is a good starting
point. The hardware is proven to be correct and there's generally a
turn-key development cycle and examples to guide you, not to mention
ample I/O on the board itself to enable you to play with various aspects
of the chip.

Regards,

-- 
Mark McDougall, Engineer
Virtual Logic Pty Ltd, <http://www.vl.com.au>
21-25 King St, Rockdale, 2216
Ph: +612-9599-3255 Fax: +612-9599-3266

Demon wrote:
> I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
> C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
> the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
> Hardware) i need to get a start.

Start with Microchip PIC microcontroller. It's a good trainning. You
could program in assembly (better) or C. It's cheapest and you could
find it easly

Mark McDougall a �crit :
<snipped>
> 4. Masochistic tendencies. Debugging real-time multi-threaded apps using
> a single LED and a CRO is not unheard of! ;)
> 

Morse code?

:-) :-) :-) ;-) ;-) ;-) :-) :-) :-)


-- 
Thanks,
Fred.

"dosadih" <dosadih@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159515834.500176.320520@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Demon wrote:
> > I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
> > C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
> > the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
> > Hardware) i need to get a start.
>
> Start with Microchip PIC microcontroller. It's a good trainning.

No, that is true Masochism! Unless he wants to learn how a processor should
not be designed....

Meindert

Demon wrote:

> I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
> C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
> the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
> Hardware) i need to get a start.

Take a look at something like this :
http://www2.silabs.com/tgwWebApp/public/web_content/products/Microcontrollers/en/USBToolStick.htm

for very low prices ($10.99+) you can get real silicon, and real 
in-circuit emulation, with a uC with demo versions of Compilers included.

Or if 8 bits in a 3mm package scares you a little, this alternative
http://www.zilog.com/docs/zneo/FL0121.pdf

gives you 16 x 32 bit register CPU. Large PCB+Compiler ToolChain and In 
System Debug, is <$50.


-jg

On 28 Sep 2006 22:50:03 -0700, "Demon" <demon.lhr.pk@gmail.com> wrote:

>I am student of computer science. i have good skill of programming in
>C/C++. I want to start learning Microcontroller Programming. What is
>the pre-requisite to get started and what kind tools (Software and
>Hardware) i need to get a start.

In addition skills already mentioned in other messages, in most cases
you would need at least a very rudimentary understanding of
electronics, i.e. voltage, current and resistance and how to measure
these with a multimeter or oscilloscope etc. and perhaps how open
collector/open drain and tri-state outputs work.

Paul

On Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:01:08 +0200, Fred Bartoli wrote:
> Mark McDougall a �crit :
><snipped>
>> 4. Masochistic tendencies. Debugging real-time multi-threaded apps using
>> a single LED and a CRO is not unheard of! ;)
>> 
>
> Morse code?

Actually a spare pin can be very useful! Sending out 'Morse code'
(Baudot? - 5 bit) with another computer to receive the output can be very
helpful for debugging and a lot faster than a printf.

-- 
Neil Cherry
http://www.linuxha.com/ - Linux Home Automation

Jim Granville wrote:
>
> ...Or if 8 bits in a 3mm package scares you a little, this alternative
> http://www.zilog.com/docs/zneo/FL0121.pdf
>
> gives you 16 x 32 bit register CPU. Large PCB+Compiler ToolChain and In
> System Debug, is <$50.

Jim, your posts on this board have talked me into getting one myself.
Never hurts to play around with another device family.

To the OP, here's another board that has a good beginner's learning CPU
(Motorola/Freescale HCS12 family) and a good assortment of IO to play
around with:  http://www.evbplus.com/dragon12.html

And put me down in the Don't Start With a PIC column.