Microcontrollers

We stock hybrid-board microcontrollers from Parallax ( BASIC Stamp®) and BASIC Micro (BASIC Atom®) and the Ubicom SX range of microprocessor chips and accompanying Parallax development tools.

Please click here for the Propeller Page.

The hybrid boards from Parallax and BASIC Micro provide an easy to use microprocessor solution which can be programmed in BASIC. Typically the corresponding packages are pin for pin compatible. Check out their various attibutes and decide which is best for your project.

Please note- we try to keep stock of most Parallax Products. If you don't see the part you need listed on our web site, please call and check stock. If it isn't in stock we can usually obtain it in 5-7 days.

Parallax BASIC Stamp®

Parallax BASIC Stamp® modules are easy to use microcontrollers that you programme in BASIC. They are fully re-programmable many thousands of times, retain their programme when switched off and automatically execute when switched on. I/O pins can sink or source 20mA so they can directly drive a wide variety of other chips and LEDS.

To programme a BASIC Stamp® module you will need the editor software, programming cable and suitable project board- the BASIC Stamp® module is plugged into the project board and connected to the PC using the programming cable. Your BASIC programme is written in the BASIC Stamp® editor environment and then automatically downloaded to the BASIC Stamp® module at run time.

I'm new to microcontrollers- which is the best BASIC Stamp® module to start with?

Definitely the standard BS2-IC based development kit (1-503) and probably the additional Board of Education® carrier board (1-486): the BS2-IC runs under Windows (95/98 and NT) and you can download for free all the educational material from the Parallax "Stamps in Class" site which is based on the BS2-IC and makes extensive use of the Board of Education® carrier board.

We stock the "Stamps in Class" work books and component sets- see the Educational text section

Development Kits

Development Kits include the printed manual (360 pages), software diskette, programming cable, prototyping board (see below for details) and the appropriate Stamp.

Javelin Stamp Development Kit Part # 1-500 @ £160.00 each

BS2-IC Development Kit Part # 1-503 @ £79.00 each

BS2-SX Development Kit Part # 1-507 @ £89.00 each

BS2P-24 Development Kit Part # 1-508 @ £99.00 each

BS2P-40 Development Kit Part # 1-509 @ £109.00 each

BASIC Stamp® module Programming Cables

Serial Port Programming cable- suitable for all Stamp2 derivatives: Part # 1-429 at £5.00 each

BASIC Stamp® module Interpreter Chipsets

We offer the following BASIC Stamp® module chip sets for customers who wish to build their own Stamp or incorporate BASIC Stamp® module parts into their own design:

Stamp1 Chip set Part # 1-600 @ £25.00 each

[includes 2x Stamp1 Interpreter chips (dip), 2x Eeproms and 2x resonators] -click here for the schematic file

Stamp2 Chip set Part # 1-607 @ £39.00 each

[includes 2x Stamp2 Interpreter chips (DIP), 2xeeproms, 2x resonators] - click here for the schematic file

Stamp2 SX Chip Set Part # 1-609 @ £29.00 each

[includes 1x Stamp2SX interpreter chip (SDIP), 1x 16k eeprom and 50mhz resonator] - click here for the schematic file

We can also supply bulk Stamp interpreter chips in DIP and SOIC/SS packages- please call for further details and pricing.

Development Boards

Educational Texts

The following educational work-books and component sets are available form the Parallax "Stamps in Class " scheme. In addition to the kits you will require a BASIC Stamp® module BS2-IC (1-103) and the Board of Education® carrier board (1-486)

These packs are ideal for anyone starting out with either electronics or microcontrollers as they present the material in an easy to understand way and each chapter includes exercises so that you can check your understanding.

BASIC Stamp® module Related Publications

BASIC Atom

New 24, 28 and 40-pin modules from BASICMicro®

8K of Program Space 368 Bytes of User / System RAM 256 Bytes of User EEPROM 33,000 Plus Instructions Per Second Three Hardware Timers Two Capture, Compare Two PWM modules (10-bit) Analog-to-Digital converter Buffered Serial Port Built in hardware Interrupt Capable 32 x 32 Bit Math Floating Point Math · Variables with values up to 4,294,967,295

Programming

Programmes are written in BASIC - very similar to the Parallax PBASIC instruction set. The provided software then compiles the programme and loads it into the Atom using a standard serial interface- no special programmer required. The Atom uses a Flash memory type PIC so that programmes may be modified and downloaded time and time again. The Atom is pin compatible with the Parallax Stamp2 derivatives so it can be used with any of our Stamp2 development boards.

Variable Space

The Atom provides an average of 300 bytes of variable space. This can increase depending on the complexity of your program, however it will never be less than 300 bytes.

Program memory

The Atom has 8K of program memory. This program space can be used by one large program filling all 8K. There are no page boundaries or 2K limits to be concerned with when using the Atom. A program can jump from one point to the next anywhere in the program with a simple GOTO or GOSUB command.

Expanded Math

The Atom is capable of 32 x 32 Bit math. With 32-bit math the Atom can handle numbers up to 4,294, 967,295 in one variable. The Atom can also handle floating point math. With floating point math the Atom can handle expressions such as 1.456 x 3.45.

Interrupts

The Atom has several built-in interrupt sources. Interrupts allow the Atom to stop what it is doing and process an alternate task based on a given event. The interrupts can be triggered from many different sources.

Built in Hardware Features

The Atom has built in hardware such as Analog to Digital Converter (A/D), Capture / Compare (CCP), Timers, Interrupts and Pulse width modulators (PWM).

Software

Full programming software and manual in .pdf format can be downloaded from the BASICMicro web site

Manual/Software download

24-pin BASIC Micro Atom, Part # 1-316 at £39.00 each

OEM version of above: Part # 1-323 at £39.00 each

28-pin BASIC Micro Atom, Part # 1-322 at £45.00 each

(as 24-pin version but with the 4xadc pads brought out to pins 13 through 16)

40-pin BASIC Micro Atom, Part # 1-326 at £59.00 each

(Extra 16 i/o version of the 24-pin Atom)

BASIC Micro Interpreter chips also available: 28-pin and 40-pin DIP at £15.00 each

Super Atom Development Board

The BasicATOM Super Development Board supports all versions of the BasicATOM module. The BasicATOM Super Development Board also includes a high power 1 amp regulator (LM2940), Heat Sink, external battery connector and more !

Super Atom Development Board, #1-325 at £54.00 each

Parallax Ubicom (Scenix) Development Tools

The SX chip manufactured by Ubicom (formerly Scenix) is the world's fastes 8-bit micro. It will execute up to a staggering 100MIPS- far in excess of today's fastest PIC. Please check-out the Ubicom web site for details of the following SX kits.

SX-Key® programming tool

The SX-Key® is Parallax's primary development tool for the SX line of microcontrollers from Scenix Semiconductor, supporting every chip that is commercially available. Supported by the SX-Key® software, the SX-Key® can program SX chips in-system and perform in-circuit source-level debugging. Also at the user's fingertips is an on-board programmable clock. The frequency output of this clock is adjusted from the software with a slider bar between 400 kHz and100 MHz. The software operates on a Windows platform and is compatible with Win95/98/NT/ME/XP platforms.

Contents of the SX Tech Tool Kit include:

• SX-Key®
• SX Tech Board
• Two (2) SX 28AC/DP 50 MIPS chips
• One (1) Murata 50 MHz resonator
• Printed manual
• CD ROM (software, PDF manual)
• Serial cable

SX-Tech Development Kit, Part # 2-300 at £80.00 each

SX Chips

We now stock the Ubicom range of SX chips:

SX20AC/SS, Part # 2-505, 1+ £3.00 each, 5+ £2.75 each, 20+ £2.50 each

SX28AC/DP, Part # 2-502, 1+ £3.50 each, 5+ £3.25 each, 20+ £3.00 each

SX28AC/SS, Part # 2-503, 1+ £3.00 each, 5+ £2.75 each, 20+ £2.50 each

SX48BD/TQ, Part # 2-504, 1+ £3.50 each, 5+ £3.25 each, 20+ £3.00 each

SX 48 Prototype Board

Parallax SX48 prottotype board as shown complete with SX48 chip.

Part # 2-509 at £10.00 each