Would it make sense to add a serial EEPROM to an AT90S8515?

Using Arduino Microcontrollers
1

Hello,

I will be brief: the 8515 only has 8K of flash and I have a 24LC256 chip kicking around.
Since implementing I2C needs to be done in software, should I even bother, since that will use up some bytes?
I don't think it's possible to run code from an EEPROM, so I could only use it for data.

I don't have a project in mind, just planning ahead.

Any thoughts?
Thank you.

2

Correct, you can't run code from EEPROM.
Wire.h library does take up some room.
Atmega1284P has 16K SRAM, 128K Flash. Good step up from '328P without going as far as the more expensive Mega.

Looking at the AT90S8515, the Atmega1284P chip looks like a great alternative. Same pinout, more memory, 2nd serial port, same pinout, plus the ADC.

3

I offer '1284P boards in several form factors too, here's one that's Uno like:
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/

1094×458 70.8 KB

4

CrossRoads:
Correct, you can't run code from EEPROM.
Wire.h library does take up some room.
Atmega1284P has 16K SRAM, 128K Flash. Good step up from '328P without going as far as the more expensive Mega.

Looking at the AT90S8515, the Atmega1284P chip looks like a great alternative. Same pinout, more memory, 2nd serial port, same pinout, plus the ADC.

Hi and thank you for replying.

I didn't know that there is a 40 pin ATMEGA128x chip, that is great info, thank you.

My reason for this post was to see if I can supplement the storage of the 8515 that I already have running.
Of course, the logical way is to change the controller chip, but I would really like to use my 8515.

I may still try it, just to see how much I can do with the 8k and maybe store some static data on the EEPROM.
My board is a bit of a hybrid, slightly bigger than a nano, with sockets and female connectors soldered on a perforated PCB, with all usable pins available via those female connectors, Arduino style.

The Blink sketch takes about 800 bytes, so I won't get my hopes up, but I am curious to see what's left after the libraries are included.

Thanks again.

5

CrossRoads:
Atmega1284P chip looks like a great alternative. Same pinout, more memory, 2nd serial port, same pinout, plus the ADC.

8515 has classic pinout same as 8051. 1284, like 8535 etc, has atmel "revolutionary" pinout. completely different.