I'm working with some hardware that is controlled by a Basic Stamp - that is just NOT up to the task!
So I'm looking for something that is pin-compatible but programmable in C. So far I haven't found any Arduino's that are truly pin-compatible.
I need RS-232 level handling, and running from a 14V supply without overheating.
Does an Arduino exist that can do this?
http://www.nkcelectronics.com/freeduino-serial-v20-board-kit-arduino-diecimila-compatib20.html
I've run this board at 15vdc. The regulator got a little warm but not so much as to be concerned, but runs much cooler at 8volts. It's a pretty simple and quick to assemble kit if you have any soldering experiance at all.
Lefty
Umm, I did say pin-compatible.
That unit will not fit in a 24 pin BS2 socket.
pin-compatible
I haven't looked at the Stamp but I can't imagine that you'll find a pin compatable Arduino, however unless you have some weird IO requirements you could easily make an adapter I would think, or even a stand-alone Arduino with a MAX232 for the RS-232.
Does it have to be a pro-quality product or will a vero-board prototype be good enough?
Rob
I'd really prefer something that is pre-built, as I'm likely to need a dozen or two.
There are several Arduino boards I've seen that are ALMOST BS2 compatible. They fit in the BS2 socket. They usually don't have the RS232 level shifting, and at least one had problems with using a really cheap 7805 regulator. (min input voltage was around 6.5v, and it overheated if you gave it 7.5v)
I did find one blog where the guy was specifically creating a BS2 compatible Arduino. He was working on the 2nd rev of the board a year ago - and hasn't posted since. sigh.
really cheap 7805 regulator
That can be fixed by replacing it with a Traco switching reg, same pinout but different shape so may or may not fit.
RS232 level shifting
Off hand I don't think any of the clones have RS-232 levels although I may be wrong.
The best I can suggest is a small adapter board that replaces the ATmega328, adds a MAX232 and re-routes a few signals.
Pretty simple but not off the shelf.
'nother thought, the Stamp uses PICs right? Can you gain access to the ICSP pins, ditch their interpreter and use the PIC C compiler?
Rob
The best I can suggest is a small adapter board that replaces the ATmega328, adds a MAX232 and re-routes a few signals.
Pretty simple but not off the shelf.
At that point, I might as well make my own AVR stamp equivalent board.
sigh.
I have found a couple of possibilities, but haven't been able to find out if they are truly BS2 compatible (i.e. allow RS232 voltage levels, and actually work with a 14v supply.)
http://criticalvelocity.com/item.php?itemid=ard4
http://www.lawicel.com/staver/staver24m32.htm
and this one - still needs to use BASIC (ick), but at least has comm buffering so your program can do stuff during serial comm.
Perhaps take a look at the netduino mini?
http://www.netduino.com/netduinomini/specs.htm
Hmm, I'll look in to that one. It seems to be mostly compatible (Power voltage range is a bit low, but I may be able to adjust for that).
The only problem is the .NET requirement. I really didn't want to have to learn Yet Another language.
(Sure seems that everybody making one of these kinds of boards wants to push some specific language. Boards like this should be available with multiple different languages, or just linkable libraries for your favorite compiler.)