Hi, I am making a project using an atmel 89c51 microcontroller which has to be interfaced with an lcd screen and switches to work like a mini gaming device.I have already written the code of the game in the "C" language which is working fine. I also have a design of the basic hardware circuitry required for 8051 to run(like crystal oscillator ,power suppy ,switches). I am required to use a computer lcd screen as a display.The rest of the computer is not required only the microcontroller circuit and the computer monitor.This is where i am having trouble.What i'd like to ask is: 1. Is this feasible?.....If not would it be possible if i used an atmega16, or not at all possible even then.
2. Can anyone help me with some material required to design the circuit and the write code related to interfacing pc lcd screen with my circuit?
Why go for the least capable general-purpose processor you can find on the market (it does have very nice features as a microcontroller but hardly any stack and lousy pointer support etc) to try to produce graphical output for presentation on a display?
What is wrong with using an ARM chip with integrated display controller hardware?
The 8051 is good at looking at bits, and controlling bits. It can play with timers, serial ports, SPI, I2C, LCD text displays and a number of other things. But it is not a good processor for graphical displays.
Well firstly i'm short on time and am not familiar with any other micro-controller besides 8051 and pic 18. ARM chips are great, but that would mean i'll have to start with learning the micro-controller all over. I am willing to do that only if i'm left with no choice i.e. if 8051 won't help achieve what i need to.
Besides what i have is not very huge or grand, its a simple game written in c language. Any suggestions???
I am willing to do that only if i'm left with no choice
You have no choice - a C51 for this task is living nightmare - not less. You must use something like a LPC2478, LPC1888 etc.
I went thru a data sheet of LPC2478.(www.nxp.com/.../LPC2478.pdf) Its got an amazing set of features,I wish I had the time to study and apply that.This is like my first ever project so i'm nervous as far as experimenting with things i've nvr heard of considering i have atmost 20 more days to finish this with the interfacing part remaining!!!
Ofcourse if it won't work i'll have to change either my muC the need to use a vga monitor display!!!!
The best way forward for you is to buy an evaluation board of "embedded artists" (or similar) that has exactly that processor installed on it. They provide sample code and schematics, too.
microcontrollers-world.com/.../
So - are you volunteering to implement a video game with just software-driven video? You have 20 days. Report back the result.
I have seen a number of PIC and AVR chips do video output. Some AVR examples: www.atmel.com/.../mega163_3_04.pdf www.serasidis.gr/.../avr_vga.htm
But note that a 8051 is actually worse off than a PIC or AVR because the instruction set is not really general-purpose. It is still possible to do, but it does take a bit of effort.
Don't be silly - to my understanding, this is not even close to what the OP is referring to.
not volunteering. but is doable.
Don't think anyone have said impossible. Just that the 8051 is at the bottom of the list.
Here: www.8052.com/.../
Thnx i'll go thru dis... mite really help