🚀 go-pugleaf

Summary of BASIC for the 8052 family:

It looks like I have hit a nerve with my question on the BASIC 
for the 8052. I hope the following covers all the questions I
received, as there were quite a few.

BASIC for the 8052:

You can buy BASIC rommed into a 8052 from Intel, MicroMint, and others;
but it can also reside in an EPROM and be run by a plain 8032, if you wish.
Advantage is it is cheaper, disadvantage being you can not program EPROMS
to save your code, like you can with the ROMMED verion.

Intel put out a manual titled "MCS BASIC-52 User's Manual"  (# 270010-003).
You need this reference to understand what it going on. It is available from
Micromint for $15.00.

SOURCE of SOFTWARE:

It *SEEMS* the INTEL BASIC source code was placed in public domain. I 
recieved different stories on this, so if you are using it in a NON COMMERCIAL 
manner there is no problem. If you are using is for a COMMERCIAL purpose, 
contact the supplier to make sure of the status.

You can download the SOURCE code for it from INTEL's BBS in Chandler, AZ. 
(I do have have the phone number). The source code is written for Intel ASM51 
and will not assemble under other assemblers without work.

If you need a copy of the HEX code, or ASM-51 assembly code, I do have
copies that I can send by email. There is the full version for 8032;
and a "stripped down" version for the 8031. Please specify which.

Circuit Cellar BBS (203) 871-1988 1200/2400 baud [8 bits/1 stop/No parity]
had it posted in their message area at one time, but not sure of its current
status. Since they sell their own version of the chip, they may have deleted
the posted source code.

Signetics (800-451-6644) has posted a couple of versions of BASIC (Forth,
too) and a Tiny basic version, and some monitor programs. Nice of them to
supply an 1-800 number, but they request that all calls are related to
their products (reasonable request, since they are paying for our calls!).

Ok, if you are really stuck and would like an EPROM with BASIC already in
it - I'll send you a copy; read my note below at the end of this posting.

BOARDS:

I built my own, using a 8032; rommed BASIC code; 8K RAM (BASIC won't come
up UNLESS at least 1K of RAM is present); MAX232 (rs-232 chip). I use a
RS232 cable hooked up to my IBM-PC, running a communication, program to 
"talk" to the microcontroller. I use a Micromint "BCC-52" board for my 
initial development, as it has the "eprom burner" to save my code, which 
I then use on my "homebrew" board.

Micromint (203) 871-6170 [order line # 1-800-635-3355] suplies a BASIC-52
computer/controller in a couple of different flavors: assembled and tested
BCC-52    Basic controller w 8K Ram		$189.00/quan 1.
BCC-52C	  low power CMOS version		$199.00/  "
BCC-52CX  Cmos, expanded BCC52 with 32K ram	$259.00/  "

I know the BCC52 is available in kit form from Circuit Cellar. Their number is
(203) 875-2751 {save a nickel: call the Micromint toll free number to order
the kit... used to be the same person answering}.

OTHER NOTES:

Yes, this is an easy and simple way of getting those tasks into EPROM
without using assembly. There are some neat tricks to jump between the
BASIC and assembly code; to maximize the speed of tight loops and provide
the overhead code in BASIC.

A good source of information about the 8031 family, and BASIC, can be
found in Ed Nisley's "Firmware furnace" column in Circuit Cellar Ink.

Cheers,

Thomas Walter					bit!thomas@cse.ogi.edu
Beaverton, OR.

P.S. for those lacking a EPROM burner, and would like BASIC in eprom:
Do the following:

        Wrote a note reminding me that you want a 8032BASIC Eprom,
	   or I might just mail back some old Datsun Roadster part :-)

	Find a mailing box that is approximately 3" x 5" x 2" deep (or
					up to 6" x 10" x 3" deep)

	Label it with YOUR address, and place $2.00 worth of postage on it.

        Wrap your mailing box, using a brown paper bag, and mail it to:

		Thomas Walter
		13335 S.W. Havencrest
		Beaverton, OR.  97005

	I'll program a EPROM (either a 27128 or a 27256) with the code
	and mail it back to you. Yep, I'll even supply the EPROM as a 
	New Year's present to you!