Propeller 1 is now Open Source. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Martin Hodge
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 06, 2014, 10:39:23 pm
content: http://www.parallax.com/microcontrollers/propeller-1-open-source-MH

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2014, 11:29:54 pm
content: I know how I am spending this afternoon

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 12:40:25 am
content: wow. thats very cool. Prop1 is a nice little MCU, love messing around with them.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 12:51:55 am
content: Snag, I will need the USB to RS232 adapterhttp://www.parallax.com/product/32201Although I already have a serial port in the back and also a USB to Serial converter with a DB9 male header. I guess I can just use jumpers if this thing can handle the speed of 3 Mbps. Although their adapter is cheap enough and less bulky that this serial cable. I'll play with the verilog files first

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 01:27:09 am
content: How well do they compete with Arduino? Haven't heard much about parallax recently (used their Basic Stamp for a quick prototype circa 2002).

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 02:11:04 am
content: well there goes my day

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 02:53:57 am
content: For what I can tell it's all emulated in the FPGA fabric no usage of the on board memory.The programmer uses the DTR to drive the reset_n for the propeller so either I try to change the code or purchase the adapter, probably do the later.But it compiles and runs fine (other than I can't program it just yet)

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 02:57:37 am
content: Hmm. What do you suppose it means for an FPGA design to be licensed with GPL3?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 03:01:19 am
content: Quote from: westfw on August 07, 2014, 02:57:37 amSame thing it means for a software design. This code is open* and you can share/modify/use it how you like.*with many, many smelly strings** attached**of long legalese. They may or may not be NUL-terminated strings, I don't know because I couldn't get to the end.

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 05:10:46 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on August 07, 2014, 02:53:57 amNot sure if you found it, but the cable schematic is here:http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/32201-Prop-Plug-Documentation-v1.3.pdfI've got enough of those ftdi breakout thingies lying around that I can just build one.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 05:21:25 am
content: yeah I saw that, just need an LC and a transistor on the DTR. BTW if you want to build one, this spakfun Eagle tutorial would be a good starthttps://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/108But for $15 I think I'll just buy one

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 12:04:51 pm
content: wonder if this means propeller 2 is close to dropping into the retail channel...

author: Martin Hodge
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
content: The OnSemi process Parallax was shooting for (150nm I think) was going to produce a chip that would burn 6 to 8 watts at full load. Smaller processes are out of Parallax's reach financially so the chip must be redesigned with power consumption as first priority. This is currently being attempted using some kind of preemptive automatic bank switching for the main, shared memory.Short answer, not this year.

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 08:00:10 pm
content: any good reason to use Porpeller ? any good project around ? I do not know this architecture very well

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 08:23:33 pm
content: I've just designed it in to a project that requires composite video, and audio in and out. Devices that can do that cheaply and easily are getting rare, and the prop's a good fit for the rest of the project too.