Want to get into / learn about Microcontrollers Cheap?

[Analog]

This might be a hot deal - but I think very few people would scan the hot deals section for something like this. I don't recall seeing something this cheap before, and off topic is where most of this kind of discussion occurs.

Dallas, TX (June 22, 2010) – Furthering its commitment to merge 16-bit MCU performance, ultra-low power and ultra-low cost to overcome shortcomings of 8-bit MCUs, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today announced its new MSP430™ MCU Value Line LaunchPad development kit. For $4.30 (free shipping), the open source kit includes all of the hardware and software needed to easily launch designs based on TI’s MSP430 Value Line MCUs, which start at 25 cents and offer up to 10X performance and 10X battery life over 8-bit MCUs. LaunchPad supports rapid prototyping and development by allowing developers to quickly drop-in MSP430 Value Line MCUs to evaluate, program or debug devices. This flexibility allows developers to remove programmed devices to be placed on a custom board, or remain plugged into LaunchPad to leverage on-board buttons, LEDs and breakout pins for external components.

Compilers and the development environment is free and downloadable from TI.

http://www.ti-estore.com/merchant2/...2&DCMP=launchpad&HQS=Other+PR+launchpad-pr-es


[SIZE=-2]To receive free shipping, please ensure that the LaunchPad kit is the only item in your eStore shopping cart, then proceed to checkout. Enjoy your LaunchPad![/SIZE]

 

[Engineer]

Use coupon HALFMSPTOOL for half off making it $2.15 with free shipping. Won't ship until sometime in August though.

Also, once you order it, you can request free samples of the MCU's from the TI store page.

WIKI page with sample's to order and other info.

 

[Analog]

Use coupon HALFMSPTOOL for half off making it $2.15 with free shipping. Won't ship until sometime in August though.

Also, once you order it, you can request free samples of the MCU's from the TI store page.

WIKI page with sample's to order and other info.

Wow, that would make it an even better deal - how can one refuse? Thanks Engineer!

 

[Engineer]

Looks like the coupon has expired!

Still a very good deal if you want to play around with this kind of thing.

 

[PottedMeat]

Looks like the coupon has expired!

Still a very good deal if you want to play around with this kind of thing.

Thanks guys. Could always use another MCU.

I just used the coupon a second ago and it worked.

Code Product Quantity Price/Ea. Total
MSP-EXP430G2 MSP-EXP430G2 LaunchPad 14-/20-Pin Socket Target Board and Emulator 1 $4.30 $4.30
Coupon - HALFMSPTOOL: ($2.15)
Shipping: FedEx Free Shipping: $0.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
Total: $2.15

 

[geno]

In for one @ 2.15, could be fun to mess with and learn something new.

 

[drnickriviera]

What can a person do with that?

Say I wanted to automate my biodiesel reactor. Turn on heater relay until temp reaches 130F, then open X valve for 5 minutes, then trigger Y relay for 1 hour. Could this be programmed to do that?

 

[Engineer]

Maybe the coupon indicates expired because I've already used it, lol!

Edit: That's exactly what it was. Knew my name and address from order last night. Changing it to my work address solved that....but I don't know if I need/want any more of these, lol. Seem like a cool little programmable logic controller.

 

[Analog]

What can a person do with that?

Say I wanted to automate my biodiesel reactor. Turn on heater relay until temp reaches 130F, then open X valve for 5 minutes, then trigger Y relay for 1 hour. Could this be programmed to do that?

You would have to add some signal conditioning circuitry to make this work. The temp could be brought in a few ways, like a simple serial temp sensor, then the digital outputs for the valve and relay need a MOSFET to drive them, but all in all, just a few extra components. The programming would be done in assembly language, or preferably in C. So the answer is yes, with a few external components.

 

[Engineer]

What can a person do with that?

Say I wanted to automate my biodiesel reactor. Turn on heater relay until temp reaches 130F, then open X valve for 5 minutes, then trigger Y relay for 1 hour. Could this be programmed to do that?

Seems like they only have 1 timer built in. You could probably program the timer for 5 minutes and then count 12 times to get your hour. As for the 130F, you could need something to let it know it's up to temperature or some sort of thermocouple using a model of the microcontroller with analog capabilities.

 

[bobdole369]

Verified coupon works. Ordered.

 

[bignateyk]

Just ordered two for $4.30 shipped. Can't beat that...

 

[Gibson486]

I keep getting:

"[SIZE=-2][SIZE=-2] Unable to authorize payment: Error reading from 'https://www.ti-estore.com/auth.asp': Invalid HTTP response"

edit: finally went through.... [/SIZE] [/SIZE]

 

[geno]

Well I got an email last night stating it's on back order...good thing I'm patient.

 

[Modelworks]

Only 31 left.

http://www.newark.com/texas-instrum...0-launchpad-value-line-development/dp/77R3863

 

[Modelworks]

What can a person do with that?

Say I wanted to automate my biodiesel reactor. Turn on heater relay until temp reaches 130F, then open X valve for 5 minutes, then trigger Y relay for 1 hour. Could this be programmed to do that?

Go to youtube and type in MSP430
All sorts of things and the chip is so low power it can run off the power generated by grapes !

 

[sdifox]

Morons mixed up shipping addr and billing addr on their form.

humm, it took the free shipping to Canada

wonder if it will come through.

 

[geno]

Only 31 left.

http://www.newark.com/texas-instrum...0-launchpad-value-line-development/dp/77R3863

28 now...sheesh they're going quickly

 

[dud]

Thanks OP. Ordered 1. Quantity now down to 24 ...

 

[jlfirehawk]

In for one as well, coupon worked for me as well, thanks for the hookup on this one. I dont think I would have ever paid attention to this post if it had been in hot deals or not so thanks again OP.

 

[Modelworks]

If you are in to this sort of thing then here is a good site to bookmark.
http://hackaday.com/

They announced this product about 2 weeks ago and generally have the news on things like this for hobbyist.

 

[sdifox]

now I need a big laser.

drat, back ordered.

 

[Modelworks]

Wow that was quick. Just got mine today and ordered it yesterday. Newark shipped from SC.

I didn't realize the actual way the kit was organized. You have the board itself and then are provided two extra chips. The two chips on the devkit itself are capable of running in emulation mode. Then you can program either of the other 2 dip chips to test the code on the hardware.

The two chips soldered on the board are :
A pretty impressive USB interface , the 8052 alone could be used for a lot.

TUSB3410 chip for connecting USB port and an enhanced UART serial port.

• Integrated 8052 microcontroller with
  • 256 × 8 RAM for internal data
  • 10K × 8 ROM (with USB and I2C boot loader)
  • 16K × 8 RAM for code space loadable from host or I2C port
  • 2K × 8 shared RAM used for data buffers and endpoint descriptor blocks (EDB)
  • Four GPIO terminals from 8052 port 3
  • Master I2C controller for EEPROM device access
  • MCU operates at 24 MHz providing 2 MIPS operation
  • 128-ms watchdog timer
• Built-in two-channel DMA controller for USB/UART bulk I/O
• Operates from a 12-MHz crystal

The other is:
MSP430F1611: 16-bit Ultra-Low-Power MCU, 48kB Flash, 10240B RAM, 12-Bit ADC, Dual DAC, 2 USART, I2C, HW Mult, DMA


Those are in addition to the other 2 MSP dip chips. They provided pins that you will have to solder to the board if you want to attach it to a breadboard. The 32khz crystal is the radial type so you will need some soldering skill to attach it, but might not be needed unless you want really high precision. The chips run at 16Mhz without it. Two stickers promoting the product and the user guide and usb cable.

The board measures 2 3/4" x 2" small enough to put almost anywhere.
You can also use the serial port on the card for other things as it is all mapped out to the pins and works like a regular USB to serial adapter if you want.

Overall a very good buy.

 

[alfa147x]

I keep getting "Unable to authorize payment: Error reading from 'https://www.ti-estore.com/auth.asp': Invalid HTTP response
"

 

[duragezic]

Thanks for posting. I've been looking for a inexpensive micro kit. I really like the Sun SPOTs but those things are fucking way too expensive.