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[on:]

FYI if you want logic IC's you can get good deal at dipmicro.com

http://dipmicro.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=saleItems

I wish there is a spec sheet for this SRAM:

http://dipmicro.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=saleItems

Really cheap and 32KB is pretty good for an UNO.

[Reply #1 on:]

This one liudr (you posted the same link twice for the entire list)
http://www.dipmicro.com/?datasheet=M5M5278.pdf
32K x 8 SRAM , parallel address & data. Need a bunch of outside logic/buffers to make it work, all the stuff that is built into Serial access parts these days.
Fast way to access parts if you have IO for it tho.

Or did you mean this one
http://dipmicro.com/store/SRMB2B256SLRMT1
which will be similar.

Are they cleaning house or something?

[Reply #2 on:]

This one liudr (you posted the same link twice for the entire list)
http://www.dipmicro.com/?datasheet=M5M5278.pdf
32K x 8 SRAM , parallel address & data. Need a bunch of outside logic/buffers to make it work, all the stuff that is built into Serial access parts these days.
Fast way to access parts if you have IO for it tho.

Or did you mean this one
http://dipmicro.com/store/SRMB2B256SLRMT1
which will be similar.

Are they cleaning house or something?

Thanks CrossRoads. I meant the second one made by Epson. I don't know. They are probably liquidating their batteries. They have been on sales for a while. I notice that dipmicro has lots of those logic ICs and I bet those don't sell as easily as MCUs and sensors.

[Reply #3 on:]

I would wager that not many would know what to do with them. So much of that funtionality can be done in software now,  and if not, a bigger uC with more IO can always be purchased... 

[Reply #4 on:]

I would wager that not many would know what to do with them. So much of that funtionality can be done in software now,  and if not, a bigger uC with more IO can always be purchased... 

Agreed! But I bet the gates are much faster than MCUs and software, which, again can be overcome with a monster MCU. The name of the game has really changed from something most people can't pronounce to something lots of people can pronounce. I think working at software level requires less training. Maybe it is just me that have programmed for a long time.

[Reply #5 on:]

"I think working at software level requires less training."
That's probably why EEs are paid more than SEs as well.

[Reply #6 on:]

Agreed! But I bet the gates are much faster than MCUs and software, which, again can be overcome with a monster MCU. The name of the game has really changed from something most people can't pronounce to something lots of people can pronounce. I think working at software level requires less training. Maybe it is just me that have programmed for a long time.

A cheap FPGA or CPLD will easily outpace a discrete logic design and still be cheaper than discrete logic for a non-trivial design. Discrete logic still has its place where you only need something simple or if you don't want to bother with learning Verilog.

[Reply #7 on:]

I've got to learn some FPGA stuff. The name has been tossed around a few times lately. Is there a cost-effective hardware path to learn it?

[Reply #8 on:]

The FPGA boards out there are a little expensive compared to microcontroller boards, but you do get a lot of functionality. If you're a student, the Digilent Atlys only costs $200 for a board that has a Spartan 6 and 4 HDMI I/Os. There are cheaper boards but the Atlys gives you a very good deal.
http://tristesse.org/CheapFPGADevelopmentBoards

[Reply #9 on:]

"I think working at software level requires less training."
That's probably why EEs are paid more than SEs as well.

Some majors have plenty training but  are not for making money. I agree that for money making majors typically graduates are paid more if they pay more, money, time, effort, upfront.