interesting new hardware

[fixstuff]

Hi Folks,

Just saw one of these new PSOC 4 Pioneer boards like here http://www.element14.com/community/c...c4_pioneer_kit

Its Arduino Shield compatible, even though its only a Cortex M0. Its only $25 so the price is not bad. The analog and other hardware IP blocks are dropped in like Labview, which looks pretty nice, just like wiring up a schematic.

If coupled with a Arduino DUE, Mega, or a chipkit Max32, would this be a useful piece of tech for developing metal detectors? It has programmable hardware for mixed signal interfacing which might be useful for implementing filter front ends and such. I'm thinking of using it for some MD experiments, and just wanted any opinions on it, or if anyone has tried it out yet.

Any thoughts?

[greylourie]

Hi fixstuff

My experience with PSoC devices is nil. I first found out about them when looking at the work of a guy over on RCGroups called FMKit. They seem to be quite versatile. What you have pointed to, appears to be a step up. Looking on the net I discovered the PSoC Creator IDE has just been updated to ver3. I bet someone with imagination could come up with a lot of creative ideas with this. Its interesting that users can create their own "components", as well as use the 110 verified ones to drag & drop and configure. Wow !

I see there is also a programmer software. Some Cypress pages ( http://www.cypress.com/psocsoftware/ ) imply PSoC Programmer is compatible with the whole range..... But on the main page ( http://www.cypress.com/?rID=38050 ), it says that the programmer supports PSoC 1, 3 and 5LP. No mention of 4 ?

Maybe Moodz could comment on your find. Does anyone know where he is ?

[fixstuff]

From what i can see of this board, the programmer is built in and runs right off the USB. there is a PSOC5 on board that acts as the programmer to the PSOC 4, andit even has online debugging through it.

[greylourie]

I've been looking at the Cypress PSoc videos. I wonder if you could use that onboard PSoC 5 in other ways, i.e as an additional processor. I think you made a good find with this board.

I also forgot to mention that I have seen a couple of logic analyser products that uses a Cypress 8051 based psoc. A logic analyser from Salae Logic. And the USBee.

I'm off to look at more of the videos.

[fixstuff]

Yeah, I'm pretty much blown away by it from what I can see. Just ordered the PSOC-4 Pioneer today.

The Pioneer board looks like it hits a sweet spot with a moderately decent processor and the analog fabric front end, and interfaced to a high end controller or similar you could really have something.

I'm also looking at the Pioneer and this http://www.4dsystems.com.au/product/...uLCD_43_PT_AR/.

Which would give me a great display, and extra processing power and it looks to be plug-compatible with the Pioneer.

I'm going to look into building a "shield" with the minimal external hardware for the MD coil and such just to play around with.

[greylourie]

It is tempting.

[hdphilip]

It is tempting.

very much so, but i have too much going on.......

[greylourie]

very much so, but i have too much going on.......

Oh ? How are things going with the Uno32 ?

I've been looking at the data sheet. The psoc 4 doesn't have much available flash ram. PSoC 5 has healthier amount. Unfortunately, the cost of setting up is much more. That Pioneer kit is still nice affordable way to try out the PSoC. If I had a small windfall, I would try the PSoc 5 out.

[hdphilip]

Oh ? How are things going with the Uno32 ?

fine, just got the sound working

[greylourie]

Hi fixstuff

Looking at the user manual for the Pioneer board, it seems you can make and program bootloadable projects onto the onboard PSoc5 device. But only limited number of pins are brought out.

You can also create normal projects for the onboard PSoC5. But in doing so, you overwrite all the original bootloader and programming code. (Recovering it to its original state as programmer and debugger for the soc4 would require the use of a miniprog3........)

So you have access to two processors on this board. I wonder if you could use the soc4 as a connected peripheral to the soc5 !

Now that would be something.

[fixstuff]

Speaking of this, on the element 14 site, they talk about doing just this, which allows you to use the PSOC 5LP also..

http://www.element14.com/community/message/80725#80725/l/psoc-4-pioneer-kit-community-project036-what-i-can-use-the-psoc-5lp-too

http://www.element14.com/community/message/90583#90583/l/re-keep-your-eyes-open-for-monday

Here is an app note for communicating to the PSOC 4 from the PSOC 5 over I2C..

http://www.element14.com/community/message/75946#75946/l/psoc-4-pioneer-kit-community-project05--usb-i2c-utility

[greylourie]

I noticed the first link. The Pioneer user manual also covers these steps.

This board is really good value. I bet you can't wait.

[fixstuff]

Got my board today.. Time to play..

[Aziz]

Intel Galileo

Hi all,

if you wanna have more number crunching power, check this out:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57605847-76/intels-galileo-aims-x86-chips-at-arduino-hardware-hackers/

And it is Arduino compatible.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/03/intel-ardino-galileo-development-r-pi-education/

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/do-it-yourself/galileo-maker-quark-board.html

Cheers,
Aziz

[fixstuff]

That looks pretty sweet too. I'll have to look at that and see what it has. Thanks!