Finding a comprehensive parametric contoller directory

[James Ahia]

I would like to know where I can find a multi-vendor comprehensive
directory of microcontrollers that can filter by parameters, so that I can
find a list of possible devices for my purposes.

At the moment, I am looking for 8 channel 10 bit ADC, 16 digital i/o pins,
and USB communication for control and instrumentation use in a 4mhz or
faster unit.

I am hoping such a beast actually exists in a DIP package for ease of
prototyping and development.

However, for future projects, having a quick directory would really save a
lot of time.

Thanks in advance,

James Ahia

 

[david]

I would like to know where I can find a multi-vendor comprehensive
directory of microcontrollers that can filter by parameters, so that I can
find a list of possible devices for my purposes.

At the moment, I am looking for 8 channel 10 bit ADC, 16 digital i/o pins,
and USB communication for control and instrumentation use in a 4mhz or
faster unit.

I am hoping such a beast actually exists in a DIP package for ease of
prototyping and development.

However, for future projects, having a quick directory would really save a
lot of time.

Thanks in advance,

James Ahia

which ones have you used so far ?

 

[James Ahia]

which ones have you used so far ?

So far, I have only used pics and basic stamps from Parallax. However, I
have done projects using z80s, 6051s, and 8086s I got from old computers
from yard sales, estate auctions, ebay, etc. My overall experience goes
back to DOS Edlin, CP/M, and Windows version 2 (later rehashed as DOS 5
Shell).

Pretty much looking for a single chip to use as a central core, with add-
ons to do PWM, Relay control, Analog conversion from thermistors,
thermocouples, pots, photocells or -diodes, yadda yadda.

Something that could basically act as an 8 axis joystick with 32 digital
inputs and 32 digital outputs. Add-ons and other software would handle
the rest, but USB is pretty much a necessity as eventually the final
design will be set up, programmed, and serviced using a laptop.

 

[david]

Pretty much looking for a single chip to use as a central core, with add-

ons to do PWM, Relay control, Analog conversion from thermistors,
thermocouples, pots, photocells or -diodes, yadda yadda.

there is your answer then pick any one you like and stick with that family
if you chop from one to another the learning curve is massive chose one and
learn its pit falls and make them work for you. There is not one manufacture
that has got it all right, but swapping from core to core don't half slow
you down.

David

 

[James Ahia]

there is your answer then pick any one you like and stick with that
family if you chop from one to another the learning curve is massive
chose one and learn its pit falls and make them work for you. There is
not one manufacture that has got it all right, but swapping from core
to core don't half slow you down.

David

I think I may have found what I was looking for, but the basic idea was
finding a chip family that had all the properties and features I needed
for a completely new series of projects. Just as a NAND gate can be used
in place of an OR gate, I wasn't considering bouncing from one type to
another type.

Granted, my applications are ultimately going to be commercial in nature,
but my question was simply looking for something that had, for example,
ram size, address range, adc channels, adc type (8 bit vs 12 bit), max
bus speed, and number / type of communications ports (CAN, USB, Serial)
in drop down lists so I could pick what I wanted and filter it.

But, I found an app note that allows USB 1.1 in software on the ATMEGA16
series from Atmel, and that is plenty fast for what I have in mind. I
just wanted usb for ease of portability (can use a Win CE, Mac, PC, or
laptop to access, interact with, and reprogram the unit.)

Thanks anyway, and hope to add more to the group discussions soon.

-James-