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[on:]

 I got signed-up for samples from Atmel by simply filling out their form on the Atmel site. I found that they have EEproms, and most of the micro-controller chips available.

 I am looking for interesting things to try such as the ATTiny line of chips. Possibly the SAM chips but, I am not sure if SAM chips are available or if I could figure out how to use those.

 What EEprom, memory, or micro-controller do you think you would try if you got to choose?

[Reply #1 on:]

The ATtiny84 is a good choice.

[Reply #2 on:]

Got a link to the form?

[Reply #3 on:]

How about wireless MCU?

http://www.atmel.com/products/wireless/zigbee/single-chip_solutions.aspx

[Reply #4 on:]

My last two:

2   ATF1508ASV-15AU100   IC CPLD 128 MACRO 15NS 100TQFP
2   ATF1508AS-7AX100   IC CPLD 7NS 100TQFP

I have not configured them yet but I have an idea for two projects with CPLDs and I am going to use these.

[Reply #5 on:]

 Thanks for all replies so far!

Got a link to the form?

Got www.atmel.com and type in "samples" or got to this link and click on first link on page http://www.atmel.com/search.aspx?filter=0&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ud=1&getfields=*&exclude_apps=1&q=samples&site=en_collection

 You can not see the samples available until you register. My answer for company was " No company".

You can not use a gmail account for an E-mail account. I had to use my provider e-mail account.

[Reply #6 on:]

How about wireless MCU?
!
http://www.atmel.com/products/wireless/zigbee/single-chip_solutions.aspx

Yes it is available! We need to figure out if we can get a PCB made that would work with that! 4 versions of the ATmega128RFA1.
IC AVR MCU 2.4GHZ XCEIVER 64QFN

[Reply #7 on:]

My last two:

2   ATF1508ASV-15AU100   IC CPLD 128 MACRO 15NS 100TQFP
2   ATF1508AS-7AX100   IC CPLD 7NS 100TQFP

I have not configured them yet but I have an idea for two projects with CPLDs and I am going to use these.

Are those basically huge I/O expander chips?

[Reply #8 on:]

My last two:

2   ATF1508ASV-15AU100   IC CPLD 128 MACRO 15NS 100TQFP
2   ATF1508AS-7AX100   IC CPLD 7NS 100TQFP

I have not configured them yet but I have an idea for two projects with CPLDs and I am going to use these.

Are those basically huge I/O expander chips?

Well, they could be.  They are programmable logic with a complexity between older PAL/GAL and newer FPGA chips.  So you can design them to be whatever you want, within some limitations, within a certain number of gates.   If you wanted them to be shift registers they could certainly do that, or ALUs, or decode/encode logic.  My idea is to make them counters that monitor one or more rotary encoders so the microcontroller does not have to and to have multiple channels.  But I will probably not get to it for several weeks, I am busy finishing up several projects right now.

[Reply #9 on:]

 I made a part request today of 4 chips. I answered all questions as truthfully as possible. I did not claim to be a business, and even stated I was going to use the chips for hobby use\development.

 I will follow up as results come in.

Chips ordered,
Atmega 2560 ...... curious if I can solder this one.
Atmega 1284 SMT .... I want to try 20Mhz and I have one PCB left over to solder this to.
ATtiny 84 ..... I have never used this one before.
ATmega128RFA1, IC AVR MCU 2.4GHZ XCEIVER 64QFN .........WIFy chip, I hope I can make this work, it would be awesome!

[Reply #10 on:]

 I made a part request today of 4 chips. I answered all questions as truthfully as possible. I did not claim to be a business, and even stated I was going to use the chips for hobby use\development.

 I will follow up as results come in.

Chips ordered,
Atmega 2560 ...... curious if I can solder this one.
Atmega 1284 SMT .... I want to try 20Mhz and I have one PCB left over to solder this to.
ATtiny 84 ..... I have never used this one before.
ATmega128RFA1, IC AVR MCU 2.4GHZ XCEIVER 64QFN .........WIFy chip, I hope I can make this work, it would be awesome!

Anyone can solder an ATMega2560 if you go ahead and buy one of the Schmartboard adapters.  Too bad they cost $10 each.  I posted about it here and most everyone has a better idea than spend $10 but it does work, it worked for me just fine:
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php?topic=112531.0

[Reply #11 on:]

 Thanks JoeN for the information!

2   ATF1508ASV-15AU100   IC CPLD 128 MACRO 15NS 100TQFP
2   ATF1508AS-7AX100   IC CPLD 7NS 100TQFP

 I looked into the chips you mentioned, I think they are interesting but, well above my ability at this point. I hope to here how you do with the chips and what it takes to work with them.

[Reply #12 on:]

ATmega128RFA1

This one so that I can implement or atleast experiment with Zigbee protocol and 802.15.4 Ipv6 6LowPan standard, I'm basically looking to develop very small internet connected object's that also save a lot of power and Ipv6 does the same and much more like a lot of addressing capacity.

[Reply #13 on:]

 I found a Sparkfun evaluation board that has Eagle files! I think the board could use a SD card slot for starters but, it is nice that there is a footprint already made for the chip!
 

ATmega128RFA1

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9734

[Reply #14 on:]

  A little late on an update but, here we go...

 I received all my chips around Sept.28th, all neatly packed in their silver bags. Free shipping and it took about a week to get to my house.

 Last night, I got the ATtiny84 to run the "blink" and "fade" examples using the MIT code and Arduino as ISP! The 84 is a neat little chip! Only extra components I used for the two sketches were a resistor and LED! Talk about minimal Arduino!

 My other chips will need boards for them which, I hope to come up with for fall projects and experimentation.

Conclusion, Atmel made me very happy by providing me with the samples with a minimum amount of hassle.

Thank you Atmel!


Mark