Distributor Comment by Dany Thivierge on September 16, 2011 at 8:45am

wow so maybe we will jump to something like the 

AT32UC3A0512

The high-performance, low-power 32-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller combines 512KB flash, 64KB SRAM, 10/100 ethernet MAC, full-speed (12 Mbps) USB 2.0 with embedded host capability, I2S, and a built-in audio D/A converter.

This device features SRAM/SDRAM external bus interface and achieves 91 Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS) at 66MHz while consuming only 40mA at 3.3V.

The Peripheral Direct Memory Access (PDCA) controller transfers data between peripherals and memories without processor involvement, drastically reducing processing with continuous large data streams within the MCU.

 

 

Or the 

AVR XMEGA

 

 

Real-time Performance, High Integration and Ultra-low Power

Atmel® AVR® XMEGA® microcontrollers deliver the best possible combination of real-time performance, high integration and low power consumption for 8/16-bit MCU applications.

Highlights

• High-precision analog – 12-bit ADCs with gain stage and combined throughput of 4 MSPS. Fast 12-bit DAC with high drive strength, as well as other functions that reduce the need for external components.
• Real-time performance — The event system facilitates inter-peripheral signaling with 100% predictable response time. To offload the CPU, all peripherals can use DMA for data transfer.
• Atmel picoPower® technology — True 1.6 volt operation, and 500 nA RTC operation with full SRAM retention for fastest possible wake-up time.
• High Integration — XMEGA devices integrate AES and DES crypto modules, up to 32 PWM outputs, 8 UART, 4 TWI (I2C) and 4 SPI channels, a CRC generator module, and more.
• AVR Software Library – A complete library of device drivers and communication stacks save time and development effort so you can focus on more important design tasks.
• Atmel QTouch® Sensing – QTouch Library support enables you to easily realize robust capacitive touch sensing interfaces for button, sliders and wheels.
• USB Connectivity – Delivers full-speed operation without the need for external crystals, 31 endpoints, and a special multi-packet function that maximizes data transfer rates while minimizing CPU load.

 

 

This is exciting ! can you imagine Jason's latest version on such powerful hardware! I know that there is already a port to 32 bits already done so this is just the perfect timing for the next hardware jump! 

 

Comment by bGatti on September 16, 2011 at 9:24am

The Important thing is that the pin layout will be laid-out by drunk monkey on .09 centers.

 

 

 

Moderator Comment by John Church on September 16, 2011 at 10:16am

"The Important thing is that the pin layout will be laid-out by drunk monkey on .09 centers."

:D  Hey, at least it makes the product memorable!  ;)

 

This will be a giant leap. I know Roberto has been hacking away at his 32bit hardware for a while, but he will be known for his software ports onto this new hardware, giving this a great start.

Comment by CrashingDutchman on September 16, 2011 at 10:46am

Just this week I heard about Raspberry Pi, and now this... great news!

Comment by bGatti on September 16, 2011 at 11:47am

Debug options will include step and trace.

oh, no - the pin placers at Arduino decided step and trace would be too steep as a learning curve?

 

Seriously people - I can step into code on a Freescale $.50 chip in 2009.

When the Arduino crowd finally discovers the sun; There will be a huge party waiting for them.

 

 

Comment by bGatti on September 16, 2011 at 11:48am

(Sorry) I'm just realizing that Arduino is like the Religion of microcontrollers; everyone knows they're junk, but they show up on Sunday because that's where their friends are.

 

Comment by bGatti on September 16, 2011 at 11:56am

(Oh) and the fact that they are "Sponsered" by Atmel proves it's not a cross/open platform, but essentially a walled garden chip monopoly.

 

If I want a walled garden - then I want a walled garden with 1995 features like step, trace, and debug, and I want target choices from $.50 cents with connect options like USB.

 

Just sayin.

 

Moderator Comment by Roberto Navoni on September 16, 2011 at 1:05pm

@ bGatti 

:) Yes Arduino is a Religion ,today is a good brand ... :) But i start to develop board 20 years ago and use a 80c166 micro controller , with EPROM flash don't exist.

My first board was DIY , double layer with photo incision techinque and i put a wire in every hole and solder it on top and botton layer :) So I think that Arduino is ok for entry level user but not for the advanced developer ... 

C++ is the key .. GCC is the true religion ... without it Arduino don't exist :)And don't exist linux ,too :)

Best

Roberto

Comment by Scott Plunkett on September 16, 2011 at 1:37pm

@bGatti - No, really, don't hold back, tell us how you really feel....lol - JK, I have to agree, it has seemed like steps backwards to be using the Atmel chips, but I DO love their simplicity.  You have got to admit, religion or not, the ATmel-duino guys have brought a lot of people into the fold that might otherwise have dismissed it all as just to "difficult."  To me the interesting development will be to see how this all works with Processing or whatever other IDE it ends up on - the tool chain is the key if you ask me - It will have to be free / Open Source, and user friendly so who knows what that will look like.

Comment by bGatti on September 16, 2011 at 2:23pm

@(both guys),

Yeah yeah. Open Source free - the platform chips are neither free nor open - hell, worse than that, "choice" is <0.1% of 8 bit mmicrocontrollers.

In my opinion, Arduino did not reduce the learning curve or make microcontrollers "easier" and instead made things worse by:

1. Steering people away from the basic ability to step through code and see variables change.

2. Taking away the ability to slap a processor onto .1 pitch board.

3. Use of Serial port over USB capable processors.

 

I think it's archaic junk, and serious people who promote the sanctification of these barriors to entry do more damage to Tech adoption than the pretended good they imagine.

 

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