SparkFun Forums

[aremu]

Please I'm new to ARM and I need direction on how and where I should start from.Please help.Thanks

[leon_heller]

mbed is very easy to use:

http://mbed.org/

[TheDirty]

You need to tell us what you want to do. ARM isn't a single product or offering. There are ARM architecture chips available from Coretex-M0 to ARM9, which covers a huge range of functionality.

[aremu]

Thanks.I'm used to PIC microcontollers but a friend just told me of ARM that are more powerful and useful in most commercial applications like mobile phones.That all I think I know about it for now.Thanks.

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi

If you want to give something a try choice any ARM (Cortex M3, ARM7 or ARM9) from the uTasker project (ATMEL SAM7, LPC2XXX and LPC17XX, Luminary, or STR) and you can run it and its peripherals in the uTasker simulator. (Needs only the free version of Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Express and WireShark). You can test peripherals and make fully operational Ethernet/Internet applications. If you feel comfortable with the chip you can then buy a board and do the same thing on real hardware.

regards

Mark
http://www.uTasker.com

[rmteo1]

One of these dev kits for <$70 will give you very good idea of the capabilities of ARM MCUs. Plenty of info and resources here http://www.stm32circle.com/hom/index.php

The Primer2 offers an innovative, ergonomic design similar to its predecessor's, with MEMS-based controls (navigate by tilting the tool left, right, backward or forward). In addition, based on the feedback of Primer users, we've packed Primer2 with an unprecedented range of new features to stimulate your creative ideas including:

* STM32F103E (512 Kbytes Flash)
* Li-Ion battery with smart loading control for improved current management, battery autonomy (more than 6 hours), charging time and battery lifespan
* New interface possibilities:
o 128x160 pixel touch screen TFT display
o Codec-based audio record and playback with headset connector and integrated microphone
o 4-direction joystick and push button
o 4 additional push buttons based on touchscreen capability
* New evaluation features:
o Micro SD card connector
o IrDA transceiver
o 20-pin add-on connector for access to SPI, I2C, USART, CAN and analog/digital I/Os

[sarma]

check this link:
http://firstprogramonblueboardlpc214.bl ... linux.html

Cheers
Sarma

[cfb]

Please I'm new to ARM and I need direction on how and where I should start from.Please help.Thanks

I suggest you try one of the education boards from Embedded Artists:

http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/education/

[Big Hairy Troll]

Hi,
If you want a reasonably cheap and powerful test PCB to play with ARM, I think the logomatic v2 is pretty good.
You will need some connectors and cabling to connect the RS232 but then it comes with a code base that can be used nearly as is or at least as a stepping stone.
I just started to use the one I received and although the startup was quite rocky (I considered returning it as a DOA) I am now more than pleased with its flexibility and capabilities.
Total of about 12 hours: 1/2 doing hardware (connections), 5 searching the web and installing tools (most readily available at the sparkfun site) and the rest happily hacking away.
The only caveat is that it might not be super easy to connect a debugger and if you are a total beginner it would come in handy.
Take care and good luck

[leon20008]

for begginers the http://www.arm9board.net is highly recommendable, their development kits are mostly all-ready, you get almost everything you need to get started, documentations, linux, wince, android, sample programs and projects, all with source code

[millwood]

Please I'm new to ARM and I need direction on how and where I should start from.Please help.Thanks

there are many varieties of the arm chips and you have so many choices.

if your goal is to eventually go commercial, I would focus on a mainstream chip, like lpc or stm.

if your goal is hobby, anyone of them would work, and the lower-end M0/M1/M3 chips from lpc/stm are excellent, as some of them have integrated debugger / programmer and come with free software (with some limitations).

[millwood]

I have seen some shots of the internals for the prime2 and it doesn't seem to be that well made.

I would personally wait for the stm32 value line discovery board if I wanted to go low budget.

[leon_heller]

The LPCXpresso boards from NXP are less than $30, and come with free software. There are M0 and M3 versions. A very cheap prototyping board is available.

http://ics.nxp.com/lpcxpresso/

[Big Hairy Troll]

To Leon Heller
Thanks for posting the LPC xpresso link - this is just great.
I have already invested efforts in my current board so I will go on with it but if I were to start over that would definitely be the way to go.