HUBbub Mini-Computers
Product
Overview
The HUBbub™ line of mini-computers are
small programmable computing devices which are technically
"micro-controllers", or more accurately
"micro-interpreters". Like the TICkit processors before them,
the HUBbub processors take relatively modest 8bit processors and
transform them into more capable processors that are easier to work with
during develop and testing. The HUBbub family differs from the TICkit
family in that it has a great deal more background processing
capability. This means that it can perform many function in background
or concurrent with a main foreground thread. This capability makes
networking, and human interface projects much easier.
All HUBbub devices support
advanced programming concepts like structure, encapsulation, and
interrupt processing.
These devices are programmed
using software that runs on your PC. The software is called an
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and is available for free
download. We ask that you register your software for a small fee if and
when you use the TICkit or HUBbub for any commercial program design. This ensures it's
continued advancement. The IDE can also be purchased as part of a more
complete development system. More details on the
IDE here.
Physically, HUBbub micro-computers are RISC processor chips made by Microchip® called PIC
processors. The PIC processors are relatively tiny micro-controllers
designed for embedded applications. Protean implants special firmware
called an interpreter which vastly expands the addressing capability and
implements a large library of pre-written I/O routines. This combination
yields a very small and inexpensive device that looks and acts very much
like a small desk-top computer. (mini-computer,
micro controller, micro-interpreter)
We understand that some existing products require
earlier versions
continue to be available. Protean Logic maintains older versions
to support customers having this need.
Every version of the HUBbub can
be purchased in several forms. These forms vary from the isolated processing IC to complete development systems with prototyping areas.
The table below illustrates the various HUBbub forms available.
T63H256K-IC
T74H256K-IC
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The TICkit 63 or 74 (40 pin
version) has all the capabilities of the 62 with the following
additional functionality:
-
EEprom Address Space increases
to 256K from the 64K maximum of the 62.
-
32 bit Floating point
math routines.
-
Pulse routines to
control up to 4 RC style servos simultaneously.
-
Audio Playback from
EEprom (8 bit)
-
Frequency output with up
to 4 voices (4 different frequencies)
-
PCAT keyboard input
routine to attach economical PC keyboards as a text input
device.
-
RS232 reception and
transmission in background
-
Second CCP output/input
-
TICkit 74 has 8bit A/D
inputs
-
128 bytes of RAM for
variables and stack space
-
Significant speed
increases over that of the 62.
-
Background real-time
clock.
-
Time base interrupts.
-
One-wire support for
dallas semiconductor ICs
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T63H256K-IC
T74H256K-IC
|
The TICkit 63 or 74 (40 pin
version) has all the capabilities of the 62 with the following
additional functionality:
-
EEprom Address Space increases
to 256K from the 64K maximum of the 62.
-
32 bit Floating point
math routines.
-
Pulse routines to
control up to 4 RC style servos simultaneously.
-
Audio Playback from
EEprom (8 bit)
-
Frequency output with up
to 4 voices (4 different frequencies)
-
PCAT keyboard input
routine to attach economical PC keyboards as a text input
device.
-
RS232 reception and
transmission in background
-
Second CCP output/input
-
TICkit 74 has 8bit A/D
inputs
-
128 bytes of RAM for
variables and stack space
-
Significant speed
increases over that of the 62.
-
Background real-time
clock.
-
Time base interrupts.
-
One-wire support for
dallas semiconductor ICs
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All TICkit processors
require the TICkit IDE software to be programmed. The IDE is a windows
application which runs on any Windows 95,98, 2000, ME, XP computer
with a serial port. Once the TICkit device is programmed the PC
and the IDE software are no longer necessary. The IDE software has
the following features:
-
Integrated multi-edit
area program editor - This feature allows you to edit multiple files at one time.
-
FBasic Compiler
- Converts
your program into a token file which is downloaded into the
TICkit. The compiler supports many advanced capabilities which
make for better programs.
-
Structured flow control
constructs.
-
Compile time -
Include
files for better organized code.
-
Assembly language
support - For target TICkits (83/84) that allow user written
assembly language functions.
-
Library support
- For
module re-usable code blocks.
-
Run-time debugging
- For
symbolically stepping through code and monitoring variables.
-
Complex EEprom data
structures, Arrays, and Records - For extensive embedded data
base applications.
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