On Thu, May 22, 2003 at 08:05:51AM +0300, Jukka Marin wrote:
> On Wed, May 21, 2003 at 11:27:30PM +0100, Gavan Fantom wrote:
> > A minimal PIC programmer shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars if you
> > build it yourself. I use a setup where the main cost is the parallel port
> > connector, running off a 12V supply (readily available inside your PC). It
> > consists of a 5V regulator, 2 transistors, an LED for show, and a small
> > number of resistors. I use it to program a 16F84A, but there's no reason
> > it shouldn't work with other PICs in the range.
> 
> I have a more complex programmer (home-designed) with NetBSD host software.
> It supports ISP programming as well.

Well, please make it available on web ! :)

> 
> > Also, for the application in question, cost savings could be made in
> > hardware by using a cheaper PIC and implementing a software UART.
> 
> Yes, but PIC16F628 (with a hardware UART) costs about 2 euros, so there
> isn't much room for savings ;-)  I have used software UARTs, though,
> because the earlier PICs didn't have hardware ones..

How much I/O does it have ?
Are the datasheets of these things available on web ? 

--
Manuel Bouyer, LIP6, Universite Paris VI.           Manuel.Bouyer@lip6.fr
     NetBSD: 24 ans d'experience feront toujours la difference
--