what microcontroller should i use ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: tonny_cassidy25@yahoo.com
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 10, 2015, 04:02:45 pm
content: so im planning to replace an industrial thermo controller with a homemade digital controller,but i dont know which microcontroller should i use,i want it to be able to drive a 7inch lcd,read voltages,control 5 relays,receive 5 thermocouple readings,receive 5 current transformer reading,and some button to control the mode,temp,etcplease help,im just a newbie

author: bcbeck96
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 01:40:42 am
content: ATmega2560, easy to use for starters, also available as an arduino if that is your sort of thing.

author: AlxDroidDev
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 01:51:21 am
content: Quote from: bcbeck96 on January 21, 2016, 01:40:42 amThe LCD requirments would also lead me to suggest a 2560 as well, but I'd be a little more pragmatic.tonny_cassidy25, make a list of exact how many I/Os you'll need, what kinds or ports (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, etc), speeds, voltage levels, and so on, and start from there. For example, if you have requirements for 1Mhz I2C, then AVRs are not for you. The uC selection should, IMHO, be based on a very precise set of I/O requirements.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 02:20:18 am
content: Also keep in mind that you may be able to use a smaller simpler cheaper microcontroller to do some stuff and feed it to the main microcontroller.For example, you can have a smaller mcu read the 5 current transformers and the 5 thermocouples and send them to your main mcu through i2c or through serial ... think 2 bytes per measurement, 2 x 10 readings, 5-10 times a second or as many times as the main mcu requests updates.LCD ... depends on what you mean, it can be pure basic lcd display, just elements, in which case you'd need a mcu with led driver (and then you'd have to be careful because often the pins for i2c or uart are overlapping with lcd driver pins so even if the chip advertises lcd driver AND 2 uart, they may not necessarily work for you at the same time).Or, you can have a lcd display with built in driver that connects to your mcu through i2c or using a parallel bus and accepts commands that don't take a lot of bandwidth.You have to be more clear about your requirements.ps. people that use email addresses instead of a name scare me, makes me think they're totally clueless about computers or internet, in which case how are they even going to program a microcontroller?

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 02:50:27 am
content: Hi Tonny,I'm a newb in this field (micro controllers) too. I just bought my first Arduino Pro Mini. It is small.It has 14 digital in/out (6 of which can be for pwm), 8 analog in/out. I am not sure yet if it can control a tft screen, But I think it can.It might do what you need it too, but it's cheap, only about $2 for a clone one on evilbay.But, just a suggestion, don't have your user name as your email address. You'll get every china (or other country) reseller seeing your post and sending you junk mail.

author: matherp
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 09:49:40 am
content: Look at the Micromite+ free firmware running on the PIC32MX470. It has a complete set of in-built commands for driving a 7" LCD + all the other facilities you need.Seehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkJ2WbzO6dI&feature=youtu.beand search Micromite on youtube for other demos

author: thejoggingmat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 01:18:55 pm
content: Quote from: tonny_cassidy25@yahoo.com on August 10, 2015, 04:02:45 pmFor such a large final requirement a 2560 (Arduino MEGA) should be good for you.However, as you are a newbie you will need to learn from the ground up. It will take time and it's not something you can build in a day (just like Rome). But hey, everyone starts somewhere.

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 08:00:26 pm
content: Have you considered using a serial LCD like this:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12725It's pricey, but it will reduce both the pin count and processing requirements dramatically.

author: savril
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2016, 10:30:13 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on January 21, 2016, 03:15:07 amI think the same, more flash is also better to store some graphics.I will go for an ARM (ST, NXP, PSoC, ...). PIC32 may also support it (I don't know much about PIC).ST make a discovery kit with a 4" 800x480 LCD with MIPI DSI interface. This resolution is also found on a lot of 7" LCDs.This could a kick starter. ST kit also come with an integrated programmer/debugger.http://www.st.com/web/catalog/tools/FM116/CL1620/SC959/SS1532/LN1848/PF262395

author: Awshua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 12:11:20 am
content: @blueskull from my understanding only the Arduino IDE is GPL. The runtime libraries and bootloader are LGPL. So it really shouldn't be a PITA unless you're modifying/distributing the IDE itself.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: Awshua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2016, 07:48:51 pm
content: True, but then we're into legal semantics. Your object files need not be licensed for anything but use in your hardware. Still, I see your point. The people making cheap knockoffs of your product probably aren't concerned with your license and having your object files would certainly lower the bar for them to do so.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk