Intro to Microprocessors

From: Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com>
Date: Fri Jul 20 09:10:52 2001

Actually, the original title implied that one wanted to learn about
microprocessors. I pointed out that learming about micorPROCESSORs, which are
hardware devices, was a very different task from learning about microCOMPUTERs,
which is essentially a course in programming and operating systems.

The suggestion that an evaluation board was a good choice for the former is one
with which I have little difficulty. My own preference is for as little
dedicated hardware as possible, since, as I've maintained, less is better. The
fact is, however, that some knowledge of programming is certainly warranted,
since all the microprocessor hardware you want won't solve a problem at all
without effectively constructed code. This requires knowledge of
microCOMPUTING.

While microCOMPUTING requires little knowledge of hardware, microPROCESSORs
won't do much without it.

I like the idea of using that evaluation board for the 68HC11, but it doesn't
offer any more opportunity to learn about the hardware elements, the
microPROCESSORs, because all the hardware is already done for you. With the
application of that emulator cable that you can attach to the evaluation board,
you can learn a fair amount about the hardware in a target system, since the
target responds to stimuli provided by the cable. However, it still runs at the
rate determined by the evaluation circuit, though it's possible to use a clock
from the target. That requires the clock to be carried by the emuator cable,
however, and I wouldn't recommend that in a residential area unless you want to
see the neighbors carrying torches and pitchforks.

Dick

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Ford" <mikeford_at_socal.rr.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 2:22 AM
Subject: Re: Intro to Microprocessors


> >> Yes, it'd be great to put together a learning system that way, IF the
person
> >> had the skill and determination to pull it off. This very scenario is why I
> >> suggested (back on Sunday I think) that a good way to go would be to pick
up
> >> a 68HC11 Evaluation Board (EVBU or EVM). My EVBU (which is currently built
>
> >But if you have everything already done for you do you learn the
> >basics?
>
> The heart and heat of this discussion is WHAT exactly it is you want to
> learn. I don't believe in reinventing the wheel, if a SBC etc. fills the
> need there has to be a VERY good reason why I don't drop it in and move on
> to the next stage of the problem.
>
>
>
Received on Fri Jul 20 2001 - 09:10:52 BST