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How to choose a microcontroller

Justin Lemay
Prodigy 60 points

Hi everyone,
I'm working on my master degree at the university of Sherbrooke, Quebec. My project is to levitate a cylinder with electromagnet. I will need 8 analog (voltage) input (4 position sensor and 4 current sensor). Also, I will need 4 PWM ouput to drive current amplifier. I will build a feedback control loop with extra control system(state observe, neural network) for each PWM output. I want a chip that have a starter kit/development board so I don't need to build the hardware around the chip. My sampling frequency for the sensor should be around 1 kHz, I don't the frequency to be really fast. I want a communication (maybe rs-232) so I can log data on a computer.
Right now I'm comparing those possibilities because I already work with them except dsPIC33: PIC32, dsPIC33 from michrochip DSP from texas instrument.
I want something to be powerful enough so I will never be limited by the hardware. But, I don't need to get something that Is way overkill too.

Which one do you think would be the best for me and why?

Thanks 

  • 0
    Guru 35605 points

    Justin Lemay said:
    Which one do you think would be the best for me and why?

    For a Master's Degree, I really think that's an essential part of your project - so you should be answering it?

  • 0 in reply to Andy Neil
    Prodigy 60 points

    The choice of the microcontroller isn't an essential part of my project.
    I could use a DSP(TMS320C6713) that we have at the electrical engineering department and it would satisfied my exigence(with some extension..). But my mentor ask me to buy one because he want equipment for his research group.
    I did my own research. Briefly, I know that pic32 and dsPIC from microchip operate at a similar frequency but dsPIC can do more operation in parallel. 
    A DSP from TI is more powerful then a dsPIC.  The DSP way faster then a dsPIC.

    I think those three micro-controller  operate fast enough for my project. My main concern is that I want the analog input and PWM output include with the chip so I don't have to put extension with the parallel port as I would have to do if I use the TMS320C6713 we have at the university. I know that PWM ouput is very common with microchip, but is it with TI and the DSP ? I haven't clearly see PWM ouput in DSP specsheet.

     

  • 0 in reply to Justin Lemay
    Guru 22270 points

    Hello Justin,

    Personally, I would say stick to what you know.  Let your mentor go out and buy new equipment.  If the current equipment works then use it.  Plus there should be ample examples, previous works and experience to draw from since this device has been used for years at your institution. Depending on how difficult your research project is, I can't see why you would want to complicate things.

    As far as PWM goes, the device has a timer that can be configured in pulse mode that should let you set up a PWM.  The timer guide is here and the pulse mode PWID is on page 10.

    If you are looking to get new stuff to play with, then just go with the high performance multicore C6000 DSP.  Just pick the one that has a development kit with every conceivable option.  Check the eStore, they are offering discounts on the TMS320C6678 kits.  That should make your mentor happy.

    My personal choice for an MCU would be the STELLARIS LM3S9B96 (LM3S9D96DK).  It has all the options you need and there is a good support forum.  My next choice would be the LM4F232, it's new with floating point.

  • 0 in reply to Greenja
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi,

    Thank you for the advice.
    It's really appreciated.

    Justin