Self-Made Robot Controller?

[Qbranch]

Originally Posted by Matt Krass

I recommend 8-bit controllers like Atmel AVRs, check out the STK500 starter kits, they come with everything you need to program the chip. Also look in to avr-gcc and WinAVR, it's a free compiler suite for the AVRs based on GNU GCC compiler. And avrdude is good software for flashing the chip, if you don't have a serial port I can report high success with a Keyspan USA-19HS USB<->Serial adapter.

Start with a HPC Explorer It has the voltage regulator, serial connector, ICD connector, all hooked up and ready to use. Has wire-wrap ready pins too, along with PTHs for every pin on the micro. its easy to solder in an IDE connector and use and IDE cable to connect your project to the micro.

Microchip microprocessors are very rock solid, so much that they can drive LEDs straight out of the pins, unlike a motorola or atmel.

The 18F8722 on the HPC explorer runs at 40MHz, 10mips. Same as used in the FRC controller.

PM me if any ?'s.

-Q