My name is Jean-Christophe, I am 27 years old. I develope over many years many electronics projects. I use Microchip microcontrollers, 8bit (PIC18F) and performance 16bit (PIC24HJ , 40MIPS@80Mhz).
I decided to change (for many reason.), i think ARM microcontrollers have a brighter futur than the Microchip microcontrollers (I think especially at 32bit PIC, based on MIPS architecture).
I think choosing the STM32 family, because there is a great community on Web. (here ) I hesitated also with LPC13XX (LXP) http://ics.nxp.com/lpcxpresso/ They are really cheap (20 €).
I'm very interested for the futur Primer dev-board (open4 primer). http://www.st.com/stonline/products/lit … primer.pdf (exactly STM3210EPRIMER model) -The LCD screen resolution is better than Primer2. -The system is modular.
I'll wait for the sale of Open4 primer, but I have questions before.
- "CircleOS" Will be compatible? - Can we create applications that use the full screen? - Can we program with a different compiler and IDE? (eclipse and GCC)
I know very well the reference drivers for LCD 3.2 ", 2.8" and 2.4 "(ILI9325, ILI9320, LGDP4531). I wrote a driver that uses screen-driver hardware functionality (scrolling, resizing, fast clear screen,...) --> - "open4 primer" will be use 8bit or 16bit mode for control the screens? - the system will be use the Mode Control from FSMC of MCU(STM32) for control the screens?
Sorry for my many questions but I'm confused because I don't know to choose the dev-board. Thanks.
Effectively, it's a lot of question ! I will try to answer: - CircleOS will be compatible for all the platforms (Primer1, Primer2, OPen4...). All applications that use CircleOS API's can run on every platform. - CircleOS applications use the application area that is 240x240 pixels size. The rest is used for the toolbar. - Open4 will use 8 bits parallel bus mode, with or Without FSMC, or SPI mode, depending on the target MCU (STM32F103, STM32F107 or STM8). - the native framework is Ride7, provided with the Primer, and which uses GCC. It is mandatory for debug because of the embedded Rlink presence. But may be you can use GDB, I saw some topics about it on this website.
what is the estimated launch date of Open4 primer? Price will be expensive?
I am very interested.
Indeed, the 8bit mode is slow to control the LCD, but this defect is corrected with the speed of the processor. If I want to create full screen applications , I don't use CircleOS?
I think it will be available after summer, on the end of august or on the beginning of september. See the Raisonance Web site for more information. About the full screen applications, for now, the applications cannot access upper the 240 pixels, but we are thinking about a modification, due to many user requests.
I see on the top, under the translucency plastic, a electronic component which resembles a bar connector : I have seen correctly? (for connect external components on the top) or this is just the IR component?
For CircleOS, this is a good new for the futur update, A product up to date is a real advantage. I will buy this Primer on the beginning of september.
There was several boards presented on the video. Depending on the target board, we have on the top a CAN terminal (STM32F107), or a trace/debug connector (STM32F103). For all primer, a extension connector for extension board is available on the base. The IrdA component is located on the bottom side of the base. Yves
I can add that the full screen application management will be present in further CircleOS version (4.1), probably available on the beginning of September.
I just finished my current project (electronic components tester) with my LCD 2.8" and PIC24H. (more info on my blog)
I could in September, realize new projects with this "Open4 primer. I am very interested by STM32circle community, I want to share my projects and my electronics experience.