Electronics-Lab.com Blog

Parallax has released Propeller GCC Beta!

Welcome to the beta test of Parallax’s Propeller GCC compiler for the P8X32A Propeller chip.  The Propeller GCC Compiler tool-chain is an open-source, multi-OS, and multi-lingual compiler that targets the Parallax Propeller’s unique multicore architecture.  Parallax has hired industry experts to develop all aspects of the toolchain, including the creation of a new development environment that simplifies writing code, compilation, and downloading to a Propeller board.  The C and C++ compiler tools provide a significant benefit to Parallax customers who use our Propeller multicore processor.  Using the Large Memory Model (LMM) and Extended Memory Model (XMM) gives the developer the ability to write C or C++ programs that run faster than Spin or exceed Spin’s 32 KB program size limit, respectively.  Additionally, Parallax will be publishing tutorials on learn.parallax.com to provide experience to new developers interested in learning how to develop embedded applications in C or C++.  All of this effort will immediately roll into developing compilation tools for Parallax Semiconductor’s long awaited Propeller 2 when it is released.

Parallax Releases Propeller GCC Beta - [Link]

The Gyroscope Module is a low power 3-axis angular rate sensor featuring temperature data as an added bonus.

Raw measured angular rate and temperature data are accessed from the selectable digital interface (I2C or SPI). The module features a small package design and has an easy to access SIP interface with a mounting hole for quick connectivity to your projects. It is designed for use with a large variety of microcontrollers with different voltage requirements.

Application Ideas:

• Gaming
• 3D motion control
• Virtual reality input devices
• Robotics
• UAV, IMU systems

Features:

• 3-Axis angular rate sensor (yaw, pitch, and roll)
• Supports I2C and SPI communications
• Three selectable scales: 250/500/2000 degrees/sec (dps)
• High shock survivability
• Embedded temperature sensor -40 to +185 F (-40 to + 85 C)
• Embedded power-down and sleep mode
• 16 bit-rate value data output
• 8-bit temperature data output

Gyroscope Module 3-Axis L3G4200D from Parallax - [Link]

todbot.com writes:

Parallax’s Basic Stamp is the mainstay for hobbyists wanting to add intelligence to everyday devices. A new system called Arduino provides the benefits of the Basic Stamp at a greatly reduced cost, increased speed, and is entirely open-source.

Tiny computers surround your life. In your coffee maker, remote control, vacuum cleaner, telephone, and clock radio, these little computers (aka microcontrollers) are getting smarter and cheaper and becoming more pervasive every day. They can be had for less than a dollar. And you can program them as easy as you can write a web page.

Arduino, the Basic Stamp killer - [Link]

dangerousprototypes.com writes:

effledger wrote this Instructable detailing his construction of a retro-style microcomputer using a Parallax Propeller Multicore Startup Special dev kit (any Propeller board should work), an RCA Ultimate TV IR keyboard, 38 kHz IR receiver module, resistor and micro SD card with adapter.

The result is a mockup of a retro computer on which you can write programs, play games and music just like back in the day. The Propeller runs Jeff’s PropDOS in EEPROM, and he promises to release many additional retro style programs to run on this machine.

Retro style microcomputer on Parallax Propeller - [Link]

Jamie at the BackyardWorkshop developed this project using a Parallax Propeller Proto board and an Easydriver stepper driver from Sparkfun to build this homemade workshop power drive for a lathe / mill / drill. The project costs around $50 in parts, representing a major cost savings over buying a manufactured unit at $300 – $500. [via]

He writes:

Basically I’ve wired up an Easydriver stepper controller to a Parallax Propeller Proto board and written a little program to drive a stepper at different speeds based on a potentiometer. There’s also a direction switch and a limit switch set up like any good power drive system should have.

DIY workshop power drive using Parallax Propeller – [Link]

dangerousprototypes.com writes:

Here’s a good video from Kevin Darrah for those new to GPS basics demonstrating how to interface the Parallax GPS module with the Arduino. Note that while this video is based on the discontinued PMB-248 module, Parallax indicates that their current PMB-688 module is pin compatible (as far as TTL interfacing is concerned) and will function as indicated in the video. (The main difference between the two modules is that the PMB-688 lacks the RS232 interface pins found on the PMB-248.)

Parallax GPS + Arduino – [Link]

Parallax Semiconductor is a new company, spun off from Parallax [via]

Parallax Inc. announced the creation of a new division, Parallax Semiconductor. According to Parallax Inc. Vice-President Ken Gracey, the new division has been formed specifically to focus support for OEMs with volume commercial applications using the company’s ICs.

Initially the company’s chips, such as the innovative Propeller multi-core MCU, were primarily used in their own products. Now the company is taking their IC strategy to the next level in response to growing interest from commercial OEMs. “As our chip sales to outside customers grow, we understand they benefit from our ability to tailor a technology and business relationship that uniquely meets their needs. We want to make it easy for commercial customers to exploit the advantages our chips have to offer. Parallax Semiconductor gives us an organization designed from the ground up to do just that.”

Gracey notes the creation of the new group has no impact on the existing Parallax business. “Parallax continues full-speed ahead with our historic mission serving a diverse range of customers and applications with innovative products. Parallax Semiconductor simply extends that mission to meet the needs of a larger commercial audience.”

The new division can offer custom design services and turnkey product design and manufacturing, allowing OEMs to speed time to market and reduce their own development costs. Gracey points out that “Starting with a clean sheet of paper, Parallax Semiconductor offers the flexibility and quick response OEMs need to get the most from our technology. It’s a simple model that combines a growing library of application examples and proven software with customer-specific support from a dedicated staff of Field Application Engineers.”

Distribution in the United States and Europe will be through Digi-Key, Mouser and Parallax Semiconductor. Chinese distribution will be through the Parallax China’s headquarters in Shenzhen.

Parallax Semiconductor – new company, spun off from Parallax – [Link]

dangerousprototypes.com writes: [via]

Beth from scanlime has posted a detailed explanation of her development of an S/PDIF encoder object for the Parallax Propeller.

The source code is open under an MIT-style license. If you’re a Propeller enthusiast it should be easy to implement this code to give your next sound project a digital output. Beth hopes that this code will inspire non-Propeller users to explore digital audio on a different microcontroller platform!

S/PDIF Digital Audio on the Parallax Propeller – [Link]

makeprojects.com writes:

If you’ve ever wanted the ability to use some form of hardware-based authentication in your projects then this is the board to do it with. The Parallax RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader is super easy to configure. It only takes four wires! It uses the serial protocol to transfer information from RFID cards to the Arduino. This project is a quick introduction on using this RFID reader with the Arduino system.

Using the Parallax RFID Reader with an Arduino – [Link]

Parallax has introduced their Optical Finger Navigation (OFN) sensor module. This HID is designed to sense the presence of a finger and track its movement much like a mouse. Interfacing is via I2C, supply voltage between 3.3 and 5.5 volts, and convenient 0.1″ pin spacing for breadboarding. The datasheet explains the theory of operation as using an onboard Image Acquisition System that obtains microscopic images of the finger surface, and those images are processed by a Digital Signal Processor. [via]

Parallax Optical Finger Navigation module – [Link]