A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#1

Post by impomatic » Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 1:04 PM UTC

A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards
retroprogramming.com

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#2

Post by inoop » Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 2:17 PM UTC

I can also recommend Micropendous, it's really well-designed. Teensy is also great for slave-only applications.

  http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#3

Post by ricardobeat » Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 7:09 PM UTC

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#4

Post by minus1 » Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 7:44 PM UTC

ricardobeat wrote: post #3

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

Anything based on the AVR USB series can be configured to auto-detect as a keyboard/joystick/misc (see http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php), so that would simplify your comm layer. However, I'm not aware of a good off-the-shelf board that wouldn't require some microcontroller development.

I am actually working on a simplified AVR USB board for just this purpose, I'll post it to HN when I'm done.

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#5

Post by HeyLaughingBoy » Sun, Jan 01, 2012, 10:42 PM UTC

ricardobeat wrote: post #3

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

I used to sell a couple, waaay back when. These days I think Phidgets might be what you are looking for.

I have a few designs (Bluetooth & RS232 based) that I customize for my clients. I may be able to help you, but I should warn that my prices are not exactly hobbyist-friendly :-)

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#6

Post by ovi256 » Mon, Jan 02, 2012, 12:12 AM UTC

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #5

ricardobeat wrote: post #3

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

I used to sell a couple, waaay back when. These days I think Phidgets might be what you are looking for. I have a few designs (Bluetooth & RS232 based) that I customize for my clients. I may be able to help you, but I should warn that my prices are not exactly hobbyist-friendly :-)

Maybe you could consider open-sourcing one of your designs ?

It could attract future clients by showing your proficience. And one design would not endanger your paid work in any way :)

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#7

Post by ricardobeat » Mon, Jan 02, 2012, 11:58 AM UTC

minus1 wrote: post #4

ricardobeat wrote: post #3

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

Anything based on the AVR USB series can be configured to auto-detect as a keyboard/joystick/misc (see http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php ), so that would simplify your comm layer. However, I'm not aware of a good off-the-shelf board that wouldn't require some microcontroller development. I am actually working on a simplified AVR USB board for just this purpose, I'll post it to HN when I'm done.

Interesting to hear. I imagined simple IO interfaces would be popular, but every project focuses on programmable, self-powered boards (maybe because they are so cheap anyway?). Wish you success.

Re: A comparison of 6 USB Stick Microcontroller Dev Boards

#8

Post by seany » Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 9:29 PM UTC

ricardobeat wrote: post #3

Is there any kind of gpio board intended for real-time/thetered use, without code reloading or writing my own communication layer?

seems like an USB DAQ board would work for this, right? maybe labjack or a board/card from national instruments?