Choosing microprocessor for alarm system

Ignorance can be forgiven. Pig-headedness can't.

. . .

Well then that's very much a case of the blind leading the blind isn't it. Your friend will learn nothing if you do his assignment for him.

Use a PIC, of course.

Not really.

You can either use a PIC.

Or spend lots of time evaluating all of the alternatives.

And then using a PIC.

Either way, the outcome is the same.

Allmost any modern 8-bit microcontroller will do. PIC is fine.. I'd use Atmel's AVR-series.

However, they are microcontrollers. If you want to do it on microprocessor, the old and simple 8051 and Z80 are are still available in some form.. It's the harder way, I wouldn't recommend it unless you really want to build a microprocessor device as a learning experiment.

If you want to do it the fast and simple way, use modern microcontroller.

Like an ARM or an MSP430. The MSP430 is extreme low power which makes perfect sense in a -sometimes- battery powered application.

How many times do people have to tell, it doesn't matter for this trivial application.

Your friend is going to FAIL, advise him to switch to an arts course instead.

Dave.

What is your definition of "microprocessor" and "microcontroller"? Why doesn't the 8051 fall under "microcontroller"?

Like the 8015?? ;-))

can't.

My apology for my Pig-headedness then. I have read your post about writing specification and found many precious guide lines about electrical design and development. Thank you so much for that. And thank you so much for highlighting my weakness. I have removed my post. Regards

Oops, my bad. Surely 8051 is a microcontroller. I should pay more attention to what I write. :)

And with the Z80 I meant the original Zilog Z80 microprocessor (and it's clones). Not the new microcontrollers with improved Z80-core, like Zilog Z8 Encore.

My definition of microprocessor and microcontroller? Microprocessor is the core device. No RAM, advanced io and stuff. It allways needs external circuits to function. Microcontroller is one which has them all and much more. Integrated, ready to use without external circuitry. Well, of course it needs a power supply and such. ;)

for micro discussion have a look at: Micros for Beginners:

Then I would suggest a simple AVR hardware design, and the free demo version of Bascom-Avr.

you will find a simple schematic at:

You can roll your own for very little.

Don...