Source code for Yaris Tachometer

[metalshark]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Switch to a Microchip PIC microcontroller. Same or better functionality for <$5 max and many of the PICs can directly drive LEDs with the outputs.

For example the PIC16F57 is $1.55 and has 20 I/O Pins and runs at up to 20mHz. If you're not comfortable with C or assembly programming, there is even a basic compiler for the PICs.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...IC16F57-I/P-ND

What is the equipment to get started with it run? I talked to a Microchip forum member this morning that is recommending the 16 bit PIC24/dspic trouble being that the starter kit is $300. On the up side the kit comes with a student version C compiler.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by metalshark

What is the equipment to get started with it run? I talked to a Microchip forum member this morning that is recommending the 16 bit PIC24/dspic trouble being that the starter kit is $300. On the up side the kit comes with a student version C compiler.

You can spend from $10 to $1000 to get going. You can download the student/evaluation versions of the compilers for free from Microchip's website. The purchased version adds optimization, but I seldom compile with optimization, as I find it often messes up critical timing.

$10 Programmer for many processors:
http://robokitsworld.com/index.php?m...fl6nbiqsr52nu0


$50 programmer (USB/serial):
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H3317.html


Real Microchip programmers:

PicKit2 (directly integrates with Microchip's development system):
http://www.microchipdirect.com/Produ...mid=1&treeid=6

$220 Microchip In Circuit Debugger:
The latest version is the ICD3. I use the ICD2 for most of my development work.
http://www.microchipdirect.com/produ...?Keywords=icd3


To use the Pickit2 or ICD2/3 you have to add a header (or RJ11 jack) to your board to connect to. The two third party programmers allow you to plug the DIP package IC's in for programming.