A contest for 6-pin MCU's? Cool or not cool? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 04:48:12 am
content: Thinking about all of the cool stuff that comes out of just 555 timers, I was thinking it'd be cool to have a contest to see what could be made with a select set of parts and the lowest end microcontroller by manufacturer. Say for instance the 6 pin PIC10F200 or the Atiny's or whatever. I don't know what it is but I find the really low end MCU's extremely charming considering their small size and capabilities. Despite their small size and ram and program memory, the applications are endless.Even if the reward is just simply some recognition, it'd be neat to see what kind of stuff people come up with. I'd be interested to see what I come up with as well.What do you guys think?

author: scrat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 01:23:55 pm
content: Good idea! I'd limit the number of other active components, too, to really see what can be extracted from the power of those small devices.

author: alvarop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 02:19:25 pm
content: I just purchased a bunch of ATTiny10's to see what I can do with them. I'll be sure to post whatever I come up with!Here's one of my favourite applications of a 6pin micro:http://cms.diodenring.de/electronic/microcontroller/82-intervalltimerv2

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 03:54:32 pm
content: Quote from: alvarop on April 19, 2011, 02:19:25 pmI bet that would work without the external diodes, via the internal ESD ones - maybe a little more forward drop, but unless the voltage was already very tight it would cut the parts count by 33%!

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 04:18:54 pm
content: Quote from: alvarop on April 19, 2011, 02:19:25 pmvery good write up. thanx, i read your diy pcb page. you are not Jr. Member!

author: alvarop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 04:20:27 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on April 19, 2011, 04:18:54 pmOoh misunderstanding, that's not my project! It's one of my favourite applications of a 6pin micro, but not one I've done.

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 04:31:37 pm
content: Yeah, it could be limited to certain parts that have no other mcu components like I2C temperature sensors or anything. Also, since there are differences between the bottom lines of the manufacturers and sorting through the quagmire would be a pain, we could just accept the lowest end series. I think if we put too many limitations on it, it'd stifle creativity. I just really want to see what peoiple can make and a contest brings out the best in those kinds of things.That being said, I'd still like to see what the lowest end chips can do so probably no more than 512 words of program and 24 bytes of ram. Maybe A/D could be excluded as well since the low end pics don't have it until the 22X series.That project in the link is pretty cool. I was going to do something like that for my SLR as well but with some other features, and more parts. Very elegant.Maybe if Dave is cool with it, he could mybe stir up some interest in the idea.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 04:35:17 pm
content: Quote from: alvarop on April 19, 2011, 04:20:27 pmoic. you are partly Jr. thenHere's me failing...

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2011, 08:51:43 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 19, 2011, 03:54:32 pmSubstrate currents in the chip from actually using the ESD protection diodes tend to screw up the analog functions on PICs including the internal RC oscillator so the dual Schottky probably is a good idea for this one.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2011, 11:24:24 am
content: Wasn't this discussed on TheAmpHour recently? #badmemoryDave.

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2011, 05:17:49 pm
content: I've listened quite a ways back and didn't hear a reference to it. That being said, my attention wanes sometimes. Is somebody doing a contest like this right now?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2011, 06:49:08 pm
content: There are many jellybean components which have practically unlimited uses: op-amps, comparators (especially the single supply variety) and CMOS logic inverters which could all be the subject of such as competition.

author: monpjc
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2011, 07:09:06 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 20, 2011, 11:24:24 amYes... So was the 741...There actually a lot you can do with a PIC10F, The new (yet to be released) PIC12F1501 has lots of new cool stuff - currently trying to get on early adoption program for a project I have...

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2011, 07:31:03 pm
content: Well, I still think it'd be neat to have a contest featuring the low end MCU's. they're progammable and dynamic and limited enough to make them interesting as part of a contest.My thoughts anyways.