Re: PIC versus AVR

On 2006-08-07, steve <bungalow_steve@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Grant Edwards wrote:

Start at yet another end again: why pick an 8-bit architecture
if you're using a language or writing an application that needs
to do a lot of 16-bit operations? Something like an MSP430
(16-bit) or H8 (16/32 bit) is cheaper than an AVR, and makes
life easier. I particularly like the H8/300 which provides
atomic read/write of 32-bit variables (long integers and
floats): that eliminates the requirements for a lot of mutexes.

Well the H8/300's max out at 2K RAM (8K for AVR's)


Odd, I'm using one with 4K, and I evaluated models with 10K.

60K FLASH (256K AVR's)

I'm using one with 128K, and evaluated models with 512K.

requires 50% more power, are physically bigger, have no EEPROM

True.

limited selection

Don't think so.

there is a price to pay in die size when you move up to a 16
bit processor which can make your life harder it other
aspects, I also seem to remember doing a H8/300 16 bit
multiply was slower then a AVR's 16 bit multiply and generally
slower in all instructions, so it's not so cut and dry as you
imply if you dig into the details. The MSP430's are not
cheaper then the AVR's.

You must be getting better prices from your distributor. A few
months ago I got quotes and MSP430's came in at $1-$3 cheaper
than equivalent AVRs which were quoted at $7-$8.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! If I am elected no
at one will ever have to do
visi.com their laundry again!
.

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