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MiniOn ARM Microcontroller Programming System
profdc9 writes "For the past six months or so I have been working on the MiniOn, a network enabled microcontroller programming system, similar in idea to the Basic Stamp and Arduino hobbyists are fond of, but it is programmable and accessible through a Web browser and TELNET, requiring no installed development software. It uses the cheap, readily available LPC2000 ARM7TDMI micrcontrollers, and the easy to interface Microchip ENC28J60 for ethernet. The MiniOn firmware is written using only the free WinARM development tools (Linux tools work also) for those who wish to improve the MiniOn. I have already implemented an MP3 streaming server and a web-based graphical oscilloscope in MiniOnBasic. The MiniOn should hopefully lower the barriers and costs to getting started learning about embedded systems, and provide a non-proprietary method of data acquisition."
If I understand correctly, Gumstix is a closed source (hardware and software) platform that costs in the low hundreds-of-dollars range, while MiniOn is open source (hardware and software) system that you are intended to build yourself.
Your comment seems alot like replying to the "Slackware 12.1 Released" topic saying "How is this different from Windows Vista, which has..."
Meanwhile, Chumby is 100% open source hardware, including both the board and the default daughtercard, under a BSD-like license, along with 90% of its software (I only say 90% because the widget platform runs Adobe Flash, which is the only closed-source component on the entire device).
Costs about the same as Gumstix, plus you get an LCD, speakers and a microphone.
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush
Ground bounce is also a problem in lower frequency designs with large asynchronous buses and mixed-signal systems. I've had a few experiences designing amplifiers (for driving motors) and with buses operating below 100MHz. I guess the point of sig is that it's a significant consideration in any hardware design, that is by contrast unknown, or taken for granted by those outside the field. At the moment my main aggravation with vias is real-estate. It's amazing how much space those little buggers take up.
The classic is still the guy who thinks he's smart when he connects 4-feet of wire between his power supply ground and the scope ground. Then they think they're problem is all the over shoots and signal noise they're seeing on the scope.
New! Device Legs: These legs will help your poor OEM installed product escape any hamfistedness it may encounter. Ava
Please don't take this as insulting (or trying to insult you- I truly, honestly want to help people make good circuits), but this is exactly the sort of ignorance that gets me frustrated! A blanket statement like that can get you in real trouble- while your signal may just be "20MHz", since you're talking about a clock signal, you've got harmonics and lots of them. It is those harmonics that get you into trouble- you can take that bitstream and look at it with a 20MHz scope and it will look *great*, but check it out with a 1GHz scope and it will look like an ungodly mess. Yes- it may work- but if it does, chalk that up to a good design from the Silicon manufacturer.
There is no magic frequency for which a PCB is good enough and a breadboard is overkill, unfortunately. It depends on what you're trying to do, the parts you're using, and the environment you are doing the design for.
There is a ton of cool stuff you can do, but when things don't work, have a back-up plan- and for me, that back-up plan is additional knowledge from sources I can trust, people I know, books, and then, way down the line, is slashdot...