Greetings all 8051 Gurus,
>
>I am familiar with 8051 for some years now.
>I even did my graduation project work over it.
>That time however all the resources were available
>at school and all I used at that time was hand coded ASM and
>an universal programmer. How I managed without a board I still
>get baffled. ;-)
>
>But now, the fire to develop over 8051 has be kindled again and
>I want to relive my old days of 8051 development ;-(
>
>Just for the record, I am already employed as a Software Engineer
>in a mobile devices company and this is just an attempt to do certain
>things which I like to do in my spare time, or a hobby sort of thing.
>
>So basically my query boils down to the following:
>
>1. How to go about starting off 8051 embedded development?
>What HW should I go for? Evaluation Boards? Single Board computers?
>Emulators? Programmers? I have reviewed some of these options and have
>shortlisted
>Keil and SPJ systems as my final candidates.
>
>2. As far as software is concerned, I have enough free tools and might
>even get the full version of Keil uvision. I have also a 8051 simulator
>which I have written myself.
>
>3. Here's my idea about the development. Please correct me if I am wrong
> in my assumptions.
>
> 1. Write the code and test in some IDE like uvision
> 2. Use the Evaluation board to make a prototype.
> 3. Test the prototype
> 4. After testing it out, make the actual 'stuff', using preferably
>some programmer to burn the code and place the 8051 into the circuit.
>
> I would basically like your help in choosing the correct stuff for
>all the steps mentioned above. Like the best possible Eval Board for
>step 1. , and the best possible programmer for step 4.
>Do I even need a programmer? Can't I make my own? I know I can, but
>would like to know whether it is really feasible and things like that.
>
>Thanks for all your patience for going through such a lengthy mail and
>hoping to hear from the embedded community soon!
>
>Thanks again and regards,
>Seemanta
As a perpetual novice in 8051, I use the raisonance 8051 c compiler, it works, its clunky, the 4K limited version is free.
I make my own "deveolpment systems" out of perf/strip board and a ZIF socket for the 8051 and 74HC glue logic, I can make one in a morning, using kynar wire, but longer if I need extra memory etc.
I still use a Kits123 programmer from Dontronics, absolutely excellent
Get a good soldering iron, quality side cutters etc, a current limited bench power supply, is my best advice, and a scope for checking the hardware, otherwise you waste hours wondering if its a hardware or software problem
martin