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8Bit or 32Bit processors

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  • NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDie
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by NeverDie
    #32

    Did some checking, and apparently these $1.70 "blue pill" 32-bit ARM mcu boards are programmable from within the Arduino IDE:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/STM32F103C8T6-ARM-STM32-Minimum-System-Development-Board-Module-ForArduin/32282374854.html?spm=2114.13010208.99999999.264.ZcHIpa

    [Edit: This tells how to do it: http://www.wifi4things.com/stm32f103c8t6-blue-pill-board-with-arduino-ide-on-linux/]

    Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • scalzS scalz

      @NeverDie
      maybe wrong, but i think mbed is online.. and not sure if mysensors would work out of the box.
      On my side, i've tried Platform.io but it was unfortunately a bit buggy on my side, sometimes closing ide etc, well maybe was unlucky. My favorite is Visual Studio (you can get it for free with the Express Edition) with Visual Micro extension which then simply uses your arduino cores and boards files behind the scene. try it you won't be disappointed, fast and rocks ;)

      NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDie
      Hero Member
      wrote on last edited by
      #33

      @scalz

      Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into Visual Studio with Visual Micro extension.

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • NeverDieN NeverDie

        Did some checking, and apparently these $1.70 "blue pill" 32-bit ARM mcu boards are programmable from within the Arduino IDE:

        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/STM32F103C8T6-ARM-STM32-Minimum-System-Development-Board-Module-ForArduin/32282374854.html?spm=2114.13010208.99999999.264.ZcHIpa

        [Edit: This tells how to do it: http://www.wifi4things.com/stm32f103c8t6-blue-pill-board-with-arduino-ide-on-linux/]

        Nca78N Offline
        Nca78N Offline
        Nca78
        Hardware Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #34

        @NeverDie said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

        Did some checking, and apparently these $1.70 "blue pill" 32-bit ARM mcu boards are programmable from within the Arduino IDE:

        Yes they are and they are getting some support in MySensors too. But they can't really be used for very low power nodes are sleep current is at 20uA minimum.

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • NeverDieN Offline
          NeverDieN Offline
          NeverDie
          Hero Member
          wrote on last edited by NeverDie
          #35

          I just now did a quick survey of what's available in MCU's, and I have to say: if there's an MCU with markedly more capability, then one way or another you're going to pay extra for that. For instance, an mcu which can do 24-bit analog-to-digital is going to cost more than $5. i.e. I'm not seeing any great deals that come from switching to 32-bit per se. I assume that's because the market for 8-bit MCU's adjusts to stiffer 32-bit competition by more or less automatically lowering its price.

          Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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          • NeverDieN NeverDie

            I just now did a quick survey of what's available in MCU's, and I have to say: if there's an MCU with markedly more capability, then one way or another you're going to pay extra for that. For instance, an mcu which can do 24-bit analog-to-digital is going to cost more than $5. i.e. I'm not seeing any great deals that come from switching to 32-bit per se. I assume that's because the market for 8-bit MCU's adjusts to stiffer 32-bit competition by more or less automatically lowering its price.

            Nca78N Offline
            Nca78N Offline
            Nca78
            Hardware Contributor
            wrote on last edited by
            #36

            @NeverDie it depends on your application.
            For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.
            But it has many more capabilities that will save you external components: easier/faster design, lower power consumption, easier coding etc etc.

            I had a quick look at the datasheet and see many potential interesting uses for me :

            • it can manage dozens of touch channels meaning I could use a much more simple design for the board in Livolo wall switch. And with 8uA in sleep mode with capacitive touch enabled it's saving power too
            • it has 6 serial communication interfaces so it can have 2 high speed serial coms and manage A6 GSM module in debug mode, something I can't do with atmega328 but only with a mega2560 which is much more expensive
            • integrated RTC so no need for it on my ADXL shield for example. And in sleep mode with RTC active it's using less current than atmega328 with watchdog timer activated for regular wake up.

            Even if you buy atmega328 around 1$ on aliexpress you can quickly make your missing $ back in many use cases.
            I'm seriously thinking about using it now :)

            Nca78N tbowmoT NeverDieN 3 Replies Last reply
            4
            • Nca78N Nca78

              @NeverDie it depends on your application.
              For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.
              But it has many more capabilities that will save you external components: easier/faster design, lower power consumption, easier coding etc etc.

              I had a quick look at the datasheet and see many potential interesting uses for me :

              • it can manage dozens of touch channels meaning I could use a much more simple design for the board in Livolo wall switch. And with 8uA in sleep mode with capacitive touch enabled it's saving power too
              • it has 6 serial communication interfaces so it can have 2 high speed serial coms and manage A6 GSM module in debug mode, something I can't do with atmega328 but only with a mega2560 which is much more expensive
              • integrated RTC so no need for it on my ADXL shield for example. And in sleep mode with RTC active it's using less current than atmega328 with watchdog timer activated for regular wake up.

              Even if you buy atmega328 around 1$ on aliexpress you can quickly make your missing $ back in many use cases.
              I'm seriously thinking about using it now :)

              Nca78N Offline
              Nca78N Offline
              Nca78
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #37

              @Nca78 said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

              For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.

              And the ATSAMD20E17A-AU which is exactly identical except it "only" has 128k of flash instead of 256k is 1.56$ at Arrow. It's quite hard to keep the credit card in the pocket :D

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              • Nca78N Nca78

                @NeverDie it depends on your application.
                For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.
                But it has many more capabilities that will save you external components: easier/faster design, lower power consumption, easier coding etc etc.

                I had a quick look at the datasheet and see many potential interesting uses for me :

                • it can manage dozens of touch channels meaning I could use a much more simple design for the board in Livolo wall switch. And with 8uA in sleep mode with capacitive touch enabled it's saving power too
                • it has 6 serial communication interfaces so it can have 2 high speed serial coms and manage A6 GSM module in debug mode, something I can't do with atmega328 but only with a mega2560 which is much more expensive
                • integrated RTC so no need for it on my ADXL shield for example. And in sleep mode with RTC active it's using less current than atmega328 with watchdog timer activated for regular wake up.

                Even if you buy atmega328 around 1$ on aliexpress you can quickly make your missing $ back in many use cases.
                I'm seriously thinking about using it now :)

                tbowmoT Offline
                tbowmoT Offline
                tbowmo
                Admin
                wrote on last edited by
                #38

                @Nca78

                This is more or less what I have said the last year or so.. Samd20 is even cheaper than atmega 328, if you choose the smallest variant with 32lb flash, and it scales "seamlessly" to 256kb, with same footprints.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Nca78N Nca78

                  @NeverDie it depends on your application.
                  For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.
                  But it has many more capabilities that will save you external components: easier/faster design, lower power consumption, easier coding etc etc.

                  I had a quick look at the datasheet and see many potential interesting uses for me :

                  • it can manage dozens of touch channels meaning I could use a much more simple design for the board in Livolo wall switch. And with 8uA in sleep mode with capacitive touch enabled it's saving power too
                  • it has 6 serial communication interfaces so it can have 2 high speed serial coms and manage A6 GSM module in debug mode, something I can't do with atmega328 but only with a mega2560 which is much more expensive
                  • integrated RTC so no need for it on my ADXL shield for example. And in sleep mode with RTC active it's using less current than atmega328 with watchdog timer activated for regular wake up.

                  Even if you buy atmega328 around 1$ on aliexpress you can quickly make your missing $ back in many use cases.
                  I'm seriously thinking about using it now :)

                  NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDie
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                  #39

                  @Nca78 said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                  @NeverDie it depends on your application.
                  For example ATSAMD20E18A-AU is just over 2$, same price than atmega328 if you buy from a "reputable" source.
                  But it has many more capabilities that will save you external components: easier/faster design, lower power consumption, easier coding etc etc.

                  I had a quick look at the datasheet and see many potential interesting uses for me :

                  • it can manage dozens of touch channels meaning I could use a much more simple design for the board in Livolo wall switch. And with 8uA in sleep mode with capacitive touch enabled it's saving power too
                  • it has 6 serial communication interfaces so it can have 2 high speed serial coms and manage A6 GSM module in debug mode, something I can't do with atmega328 but only with a mega2560 which is much more expensive
                  • integrated RTC so no need for it on my ADXL shield for example. And in sleep mode with RTC active it's using less current than atmega328 with watchdog timer activated for regular wake up.

                  Even if you buy atmega328 around 1$ on aliexpress you can quickly make your missing $ back in many use cases.
                  I'm seriously thinking about using it now :)

                  Say, that MCU you picked (https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/ATSAMD20E18A-AUT/ATSAMD20E18A-AUTCT-ND/4497257) does look like a winner. I especially like that it has so much memory, both SRAM and flash. As I doubt I would need to occupy that much flash memory all at once, it means it should make for a great staging area to store a new wireless OTA sketch as it trickles in. :)

                  1. Is there already a serial bootloader available for it, or does that have yet to be written?
                  2. Is there a schematic for a very basic "pro mini" type circuit that makes use of it? Having that as a reference point really helped when I first tried making circuits with the atmega328p.
                  3. What about libraries and demo code?
                  4. Can software for it be developed in either Arduino IDE or Visual Studio with Visual Micro extensions?

                  If all those pieces are in place and not still waiting to be developed, then I'd be interested in giving it a try too!

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • tbowmoT Offline
                    tbowmoT Offline
                    tbowmo
                    Admin
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #40

                    @NeverDie

                    There is a "BOSA" compatible bootloader, I have still on my todo list to verify that this is working (will be before makerfaire in Eindhoven, as I have promised to bring the new sensebender micro mk2 with me)

                    I have created the sensebender micro mk2, which still needs verification.. (For my part, activity have been low due to other work related projects..)

                    Software should be possible in arduino IDE (the core is the same as in atsamd21, which is used by the Sensebender Gateway.. Only difference is that it misses USB interface.

                    Nca78N alexsh1A 2 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • tbowmoT tbowmo

                      @NeverDie

                      There is a "BOSA" compatible bootloader, I have still on my todo list to verify that this is working (will be before makerfaire in Eindhoven, as I have promised to bring the new sensebender micro mk2 with me)

                      I have created the sensebender micro mk2, which still needs verification.. (For my part, activity have been low due to other work related projects..)

                      Software should be possible in arduino IDE (the core is the same as in atsamd21, which is used by the Sensebender Gateway.. Only difference is that it misses USB interface.

                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by Nca78
                      #41

                      @tbowmo said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                      Software should be possible in arduino IDE (the core is the same as in atsamd21, which is used by the Sensebender Gateway.. Only difference is that it misses USB interface.

                      Any reason to use D20 instead of D21 except saving 0.3 - 0.5$ per unit ?
                      As the D21G18 is used in Arduino Zero it makes sure there's some stable support for that version.

                      @NeverDie you can check that for "pro mini" style board: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13664

                      NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • tbowmoT Offline
                        tbowmoT Offline
                        tbowmo
                        Admin
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #42

                        @Nca78

                        It won't incorporate USB anyways, so I do not see a benefit of using D21.. And even 0.5$ could become a lot of money, when we start producing a million sensebender micro mk2 :)

                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • scalzS Offline
                          scalzS Offline
                          scalz
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #43

                          @NeverDie i'm using atsamd21 with mysensors since last year, no problem too with VS Studio ;)

                          Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • tbowmoT tbowmo

                            @Nca78

                            It won't incorporate USB anyways, so I do not see a benefit of using D21.. And even 0.5$ could become a lot of money, when we start producing a million sensebender micro mk2 :)

                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78N Offline
                            Nca78
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #44

                            @tbowmo said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                            @Nca78

                            It won't incorporate USB anyways, so I do not see a benefit of using D21.. And even 0.5$ could become a lot of money, when we start producing a million sensebender micro mk2 :)

                            Yes yes I'm not talking about the sensebender micro for which saving money for a feature you don't use makes sense. But for small scale production like in my appartment ? :D

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                            • scalzS Offline
                              scalzS Offline
                              scalz
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by scalz
                              #45

                              @Nca78
                              depends what you need, but what i like with usb (d21) is i just connect the cable and i can program it easily and at same time can have serial monitor (no ftdi needed). You need to burn a bootloader for that by using a swd programmer first.
                              or then use the cheaper version, program it through swd, but then need an ftdi for uart
                              depends.
                              perhaps i should release some design for it, but i think there are already a lot on internet

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • scalzS scalz

                                @NeverDie i'm using atsamd21 with mysensors since last year, no problem too with VS Studio ;)

                                Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78N Offline
                                Nca78
                                Hardware Contributor
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #46

                                @scalz said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                                @NeverDie i'm using atsamd21 with mysensors since last year, no problem too with VS Studio ;)

                                And do you have to put a bootloader on it ? If yes what do you use for programming ?

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                                • scalzS Offline
                                  scalzS Offline
                                  scalz
                                  Hardware Contributor
                                  wrote on last edited by scalz
                                  #47

                                  using d21e, so i burn a bootloader like i said above with a Segger OB j-link, clone i guess. Then you just need usb

                                  Nca78N alexsh1A 2 Replies Last reply
                                  1
                                  • scalzS scalz

                                    using d21e, so i burn a bootloader like i said above with a Segger OB j-link, clone i guess. Then you just need usb

                                    Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78
                                    Hardware Contributor
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #48

                                    @scalz said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                                    using d21e, so i burn a bootloader like i said above with a Segger OB j-link, clone i guess. Then you just need usb

                                    Any chance you have a link for purchase of the j-link ? There are a bunch on Ali but you never know what you get.

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                                    0
                                    • scalzS Offline
                                      scalzS Offline
                                      scalz
                                      Hardware Contributor
                                      wrote on last edited by scalz
                                      #49

                                      those at ali are the same. i bought it at the french Ebay because wasn't patient and the few bucks were worth it :)

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • Nca78N Nca78

                                        @tbowmo said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                                        Software should be possible in arduino IDE (the core is the same as in atsamd21, which is used by the Sensebender Gateway.. Only difference is that it misses USB interface.

                                        Any reason to use D20 instead of D21 except saving 0.3 - 0.5$ per unit ?
                                        As the D21G18 is used in Arduino Zero it makes sure there's some stable support for that version.

                                        @NeverDie you can check that for "pro mini" style board: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13664

                                        NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDieN Offline
                                        NeverDie
                                        Hero Member
                                        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                        #50

                                        @Nca78 said in 8Bit or 32Bit processors:

                                        @NeverDie you can check that for "pro mini" style board: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13664

                                        Awesome! That greatly lowers the barriers to trying it. I just ordered one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SparkFun-LYSB018RKKRVG-ELECTRNCS-SAMD21-Mini-Breakout/dp/B018RKKRVG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1496436449&sr=1-1&keywords=samd21
                                        There's a good chance I'll receive it this Sunday.

                                        It looks as though the Adafruit Feather is more or less the same type of SAMD21 board: https://www.amazon.com/Adafruit-Feather-M0-Basic-Proto/dp/B019MGQE8Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1496437154&sr=8-6&keywords=adafruit+feather

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                                        • NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDie
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                          #51

                                          Took a closer look at the Sparkfun SAMD21 PCB. It's actually a four layer PCB, not the more ordinary two layer PCB. On the other hand, the Adafruit SAMD21 is a two layer PCB. The four layers explains why the Chinese knock-ffs look different from the Sparkfun version: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SAMD21-M0-Mini-32-bit-ARM-Cortex-M0-core-Pins-soldered-Compatible-with-Arduino-Zero-Arduino/32779698644.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.10.0u636X&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10130_10068_5010013_10136_10137_10060_10138_10155_10062_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100031_10099_10103_10102_10096_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_5030014_10084_10083_10119_10080_10082_10081_10178_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10182_10185_10078_10079_10073_10123_10120_10189_142-10050,searchweb201603_9,ppcSwitch_4&btsid=36be8280-4e44-474b-b3e4-2c9eef009d58&algo_expid=09284286-c141-4a88-bce8-2d8bb9d233d6-1&algo_pvid=09284286-c141-4a88-bce8-2d8bb9d233d6

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