Over the holiday I was asked what processor would be best (criteria below) that would be able to be networked (web server). While I have my bias, I thought I would throw the question out for a broader perspective and new information.
In this case, the answer needs to be a complete kit rather than getting a processor, emac, compiler, etc. separately. While this may be the best approach for a high volume product, it wouldn't be so helpful to a high school junior with limited summer break time.
I did a quick survey this morning, and the candidates seem to be: Rabbit, Zilog, Freescale/Netburner, Maxim. Microchip seems to be a few months away from a complete kit. There may be others, so feel free to suggest them.
Criteria:
-- 8 or 16 bits (32 ok if low cost, not to complex*)
-- ADC or SPI port (I have an ADC module that uses SPI)
-- Adequate memory for simple projects on-chip/module
-- Some buttons or other I/O to play with
-- C or Java compiler. Don't care for some of these demo versions some companies use.
-- TCP/IP stack included for web server, FTP, and perhaps a few other Internet protocols.
-- Documentation complete, clear, concise.
-- Support competent and responsive, and free or low cost.
-- Cost low, but not necessarily cheap (we get what we pay for!).
-- Able to have progress within a few day or so.
- I looked at an ARM kit from a company and the web site said that this kit to complex for beginners.
Thanks, Dave