What simple microcontroller would you suggest?

Question

I know there is the PIC or Motorola 68HC11 ... or maybe anything else? what would you suggest for a simple line following robot? and why

thanks

Answer 1

I would go with the PIC. They are more oriented toward professional uses, but very usable and low cost. Program in simple RISC assembler, or in C. See my response under attached link.

Parallax propeller is the other one I would consider. I believe it uses a form of BASIC. It's more oriented toward hobbyists, and they have kits with parts that would shorten development time. Key data is in same link, by another user.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Intel was one of the original microcontroller manufacturers. They have a number of them. Typically CISC machines fairly difficult to program.

Motorola made a series of microcontrollers, based on their 6800 and 68000 microproprocessors. They are probably the best of the CISC machines. Now sold by Freescale, which spun off from Moto. They have inexpensive development boards, good programming support.

There are a few other brands trying to get market share, but I'm not very familiar with them. Look up ucontrollers at the big suppliers, like Newark for more info.

Answer 2

I also support the idea of using the PIC series of processors from www.Microchip.com

They are easy to program and come in all sorts of varieties, from some simple 6 pin devices, to full blown digital signal processing parts.  Microchip supplies all sorts of free design tools and info, including a programming IDE and all you need to get started using assembly language to program.

The micrprocessors go from under $1 to maybe $30 for one of the exotic ones.  I started using them for hobby projects a few yrs back, and now use them in my professional work.

You can buy inexpensive programmers from www.melabs.com or even find them on Ebay.  You can get a programming device for less than $100 to get you started.

Some devices even have built in USB interfaces, serial ports and all sorts of I/O.

I currently have developed several USB based products that use one of their $4 controllers.

Definately check out their website.  They even have some free samples that you can order from the website for some of the micros.

Good luck!