a query that we do

Duval JP · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 1161 Location: France

It is not in my habits but :
Because, Atmel must be supported Mark I wrote to ATMEL :

Hello Mister ATMEL,

I' am a French user of ATMEL AVR µC since 20 years, I love them but I have a complain to do for all the AVR and BASIC-BASCOM users :

We are programmers of microcontrollers ATMEL, we use BASIC BASCOM AVR best, more compact, more efficient, more powerful Basic compiler and the simplest.
We believe that Atmel must continue to support this software and its creator Mark Alberts

We ask you to make an effort, Basic Bascom is compatible with the 8-bit Arduino, I teach it to the FABLAB de Soissons France and this would be a great happiness to know that it is recognised in the same way as C

Mark Alberts reports on the forum Basic he said :
"328PB is included in next release. I attached it. It might require a new version of the compiler so take it as is.
324PB I do not know yet. when you send a sample chip we will add support. there was a time we got samples from atmel but the last few times we got nothing and then we must wait till we can buy them from farnell."

do you think it's right ? While he made us discover these super microcontrollers? For my part I have sold thousands and one program from mine pilot the radars of the KOUROU space station
Basic is not exceeded, it is simply easier and more user-friendly than C

Please Help us, help Mark !

Thanks much for your understanding

bzijlstra · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 11:46 am Post subject: Well done

Well done.

Have fun
Ben Zijlstra

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5921 Location: Holland

that is very kind but i gave up long time ago. I suggested them a (paid) service where one could get new chips and or printed manuals. But they did not see much in that.
I used to get sample chips from their local atmel representative but that does not seem to work anymore. i guess that is mainly because i do not buy chips, i just need them for testing. some other vendors have more simple wats to get a sample.
So my strategy is simple : i order from farnell or a customer send me a sample. I do not mind.
atmel just want to sell chips, that is their business. they do not care about the rest. But i can understand that. It is a pity, because indeed i delivered a framework for 8051 and AVR long before there was something like that.
What i find more disturbing is that they do not seem to make PDIP versions any more. At least not for the PB. Could be because of the xtra pins they need, or it can be a new strategy. Too bad that there are no routing cards for stk600. But i bought a converter board so for testing i will manage Smile

I also see hardware features from xmega in normal AVR. So all and all, it is good they keep improve their chips. double uart, double spi, double twi, etc. and prices are still good. low energy with power reduction.
It is just more work to support, but i finished the double twi support. monday my chip will arrive. not the 328pb since farnell does not have them either, but the 168pb which is similar with less flash memory.

six1 · Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 553

Keep up good work...

But at all, it confuses me...

Mega8 -> more SRam -> Mega 328

but now: Mega328xyz and we got parts of XMega?

we will see, what atmel is doing in future...

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5921 Location: Holland

yes it is confusing Very Happy

what confuses me : why making so many different similar chips? only differ in memory. would it really cost much more to produce? and the chips without sram and only halve of the registers. what good is that?
and each new chip different timers?
it began all so simple once Very Happy

. But good thing : they produce the same or compatible chips for long time. so it is safe to use in a product. try that with other chips and getting them will be a problem and/or very expensive.

i think they moving in 'xmega' hardware because xmega is maybe less popular? i have no idea.

TomTTiger · Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Hi Marc,

i just got some samples of ATMega328PB and 324PB .

If you tell me , where to send to, i would like to Support your great work with 1 of each samples.

Laughing

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5921 Location: Holland

thanks for your kind offer Very Happy

yesterday i received the 324PB.
but if you have the 328PB TQFP it would be great.

I thought the m88/168/328 would all be the same except for the flash/ram size, so i orderd 168PB xplain and some chips, but these are just simple chips, not with the extra hardware !
Only the 328PB seems to have the extra uart/twi, etc.

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5921 Location: Holland

I forget to add the address :

MCS Electronics
De Paal 112
1351 JJ, Almere
Netherlands

thanks!

Meister · Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 319

http://www.atmel.com/images/atmel-42374-differences-between-atmega48_88_168-variants-and-the-new%20atmega48_88_168pb_apnote_at06609.pdf

ATIU · Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 534

Hi Mark,

Please advice if you still need Mega328PB samples to work with. I can arrange to send a few to your address. Thanks,

Albert

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 5921 Location: Holland

thanks. no it is not needed anymore. i got an QFN which is soldered on an adapter board.

ATIU · Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 534

Hi Mark,

OK Thanks. I also need to work on the Mega 328PB because of the requirement of extra hardware timers on my next project. I do hope to see this chip included in the next update very soon.

Albert

musterkonsument · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Illertissen

Hi Mark,

are there any news for support the ATMega328PB ?

Thanks
musterkonsument Hans-Werner

cavemanatwork · Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 1

Hi Mark,

I also urgently need the extra Hardware Timers.
Please make 328PB Support possible as soon as possible.

Thank you very much!
Michael