Parallax SX
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The Parallax SX line of micro-controllers were formerly made by Ubicom. The SX dies are still manufactured by Ubicom, who sends them to Parallax for packaging. Ubicom used to make SX processor with 18, 20, 28, 48 and 52 pins, but because Parallax did not have packages for 18 and 52 pins chips the SX-18 and SX-52 have been discontinued.
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[edit] Details about the SX
The Parallax's SX series micro-controllers are 8-bit RISC micro-controllers (using a 12-bit instruction word) which have an unusually high speed, up to 75 MHz (75 MIPS), and a high degree of flexibility. They include up to 4096 12-bit words of Flash memory and up to 262 bytes of random access memory, an eight bit counter and other support logic. They are especially geared toward the emulation of I/O hardware in software, which makes them very flexible. While Parallax's SX micros are limited in variety, their high speed and additional resources allow programmers to create 'virtual devices', including complete video controllers, as required. For example there are software library modules to emulate I2C and SPI interfaces, UARTs, frequency generators, measurement counters and PWM and sigma-delta A/D converters. Other interfaces are relatively easy to write, and existing modules can be modified to get new features.
[edit] Real world Uses
The well known programmer and author Andre LaMothe has proven that the SX-52 can actually be clocked to 80 MHz (80 MIPS) even though the specs say 75 MHz is the maximum. He has used the SX-52 in thousands of XGameStation game development computers all running at 80 MHz. He uses the speed and flexibility of the SX-52 chip to create a device with which a user can create their own Video game system. Because their machine language and architecture are mostly compatible with Microchip PIC micro-controllers[1], some users have referred to these micro-controllers as PICs on steroids.
[edit] End-of-Life
On July 31st, 2009, Parallax announced that the SX line of micro-controllers will be discontinued. They will only be available until their stock is depleted. Parallax confirmed that their various other products that contain an SX micro-controller will be unaffected by this news. [2]
[edit] SX Development
The Sx-Key is produced by Parallax and used to program the SX Micro-controller and then debug it. There is also a cheaper version called the SX-Blitz that does not contain a debugger. Do note that there are two Sx-key products, one is an actual hardware device the other is the software, they share the same name.
[edit] Windows Development
If you are running on the Microsoft Windows platform, you will want to grab a copy of the SX Key softwarefrom Parallax's website. It contains many useful tools for beginners as well as for people more familiar with the SX to aid in development. It comes with the SXsim, and an assembler/programmer to allow programming of the SX using either an SX Keyor SX Blitz.
[edit] Issues
There are some known issues with the SX Key software on Windows Vista, the Sx-key software requires certain DLLs that are not distributed with Windows Vista.
[edit] Alternate tools
There is also a C to SX compiler, that will allow you to write C programs for the SX. They are then converted from C into SX ASM. There are two versions available.
[edit] CCS SX/C
There is a commercially supported version of a C compiler for the SX, it is known as the CCS SX/C, and is available for $199.0. It may be found at http://www.ccsinfo.com/product_info.php?products_id=sxcompiler . This software is officially supported by Parallax, and they have a partnership to work together on making the SX/C compiler a first class citizen. It integrates with the SX Key software to then program the SX.
[edit] C4SX
C4SX is a free C to SX assembly compiler that is available from http://www.rwsenser.com/. Please note that this software is untested by Parallax and your milage may vary. There is a thread in the Parallax support forums about C4SX that might of help to those looking at using C for the SX: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=7&m=214117
[edit] Linux/Unix based Development
[edit] gsasm
gsasm is written by our very own l33tbunni, and is an assembler for the SX assembly to a hex file. The project lives on [SourceForge] and can be found at http://sourceforge.net/projects/gsasm/. Note, it is still in its infancy, and while it produces proper hex files to be programmed, it has its rough edges and limitations. Please read the release notes, and see if a more applicable solution would not be to use wine.
[edit] gSXprog
gSXprog is the programmer that may be used to program the SX using the SX Key revision C and older. Code exists to program with the SX Blitz in CVS, but it is not guaranteed to work. If you downloaded gsasm you will have also obtained a copy of gSXprog. You will be able to use gSXprog to program the SX using an hex file produced by gsasm or from the SX Key software.
[edit] Wine
According to my preliminary tests of using the SX Key software under wine it works without a hitch. You can then use this with gSXprog to program the SX chip. This also allows use of the SXsim which is the most invaluable part of the entire SX Key software from Parallax.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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