Hi All,
I am starting a new project. I have previously done several one off PIC18 projects in ASM for custom industrial control applications. This project will be my first that is intended to be mass manufactured for consumers.
The device will include some basic calculator type functions (+ - *). The core function does not strictly require very large numbers, but I think the consumer would be disappointing if it only represented numbers up to 256. I also think the user would appreciate it if the device could be put into a 4 function calculator mode that can handle decimal numbers. Currently I am thinking that numbers will be handled in arrays of decimals.
Interface features will include...
- 25 capacitive buttons made from 5x5 array (The reason for capacitive touch is to keep cost of production low, simplify enclosure design, to make cleaning the device easier, and hopefully increase long term reliability. I am open to other button options.)
- 2 line hd44780 type display to display input and results
- The ability to connect to a computer as an HID keyboard to push output to a word pad or spreadsheet (Being able to do this without an external osc would be a bonus)
- A single bit digital line in (input will be provided from another on board device.)
- port for in circuit debugging/programming.
In terms of Microchip products, I believe these requirements will push me up to the PIC18f45K50 which is in the same price bracket as a PIC32MX2 and PIC24FJ32GB004. Of these I feel like the PIC24 is the front runner. I would also like to consider non-PIC alternatives, though I don't feel so interested in Arduino.
My primary concerns are ease of development, battery life, and cost of the final product. I would really like battery life to measured in years (assuming the device is used several hours a week) though perhaps that is too optimistic (though I have never had to change the batteries on my HP 32SII). Being programmable without extra hardware would be a bonus but not strictly necessary.
The platform itself I would like to recycle for future applications, so whatever microprocessor I pick needs to be one that will be around for a while.
Any suggestion or advice would be appreciated.
I am starting a new project. I have previously done several one off PIC18 projects in ASM for custom industrial control applications. This project will be my first that is intended to be mass manufactured for consumers.
The device will include some basic calculator type functions (+ - *). The core function does not strictly require very large numbers, but I think the consumer would be disappointing if it only represented numbers up to 256. I also think the user would appreciate it if the device could be put into a 4 function calculator mode that can handle decimal numbers. Currently I am thinking that numbers will be handled in arrays of decimals.
Interface features will include...
- 25 capacitive buttons made from 5x5 array (The reason for capacitive touch is to keep cost of production low, simplify enclosure design, to make cleaning the device easier, and hopefully increase long term reliability. I am open to other button options.)
- 2 line hd44780 type display to display input and results
- The ability to connect to a computer as an HID keyboard to push output to a word pad or spreadsheet (Being able to do this without an external osc would be a bonus)
- A single bit digital line in (input will be provided from another on board device.)
- port for in circuit debugging/programming.
In terms of Microchip products, I believe these requirements will push me up to the PIC18f45K50 which is in the same price bracket as a PIC32MX2 and PIC24FJ32GB004. Of these I feel like the PIC24 is the front runner. I would also like to consider non-PIC alternatives, though I don't feel so interested in Arduino.
My primary concerns are ease of development, battery life, and cost of the final product. I would really like battery life to measured in years (assuming the device is used several hours a week) though perhaps that is too optimistic (though I have never had to change the batteries on my HP 32SII). Being programmable without extra hardware would be a bonus but not strictly necessary.
The platform itself I would like to recycle for future applications, so whatever microprocessor I pick needs to be one that will be around for a while.
Any suggestion or advice would be appreciated.