programming 8051 help

hello, im attempting to use the c8051f120 mcu from silicon labs. is there any kind of 'getting started' guide because i have no idea how to program this thing. such as how to access the ports where i need to read data from. are there any kind of templates or tutorials? thanks.

 RE: programming 8051 help

For tutorials on the basics of the standard 8051, see:

http://www.8052.com/tutorial.phtml

For the specifics of the SiLabs chip, Get an SiLabs Dev Kit and look at the examples provided.

Your question is more about the chip than the Keil tools - so you should start at the SiLabs site, and their forum...

 RE: programming 8051 help

thanks, ive been referred to that site. im lookin through it, but i would like to know in depth of how to actually programmin the mcu. im not too program savy and i dont kno how to get started. :(

i will continue my search.. thanks for the help

 RE: programming 8051 help

" im lookin through it, but i would like to know in depth of how to actually programmin the mcu. im not too program savy and i dont kno how to get started."

Some people learn by reading; some learn by doing.

It appears that you're not getting too far with the reading, so try the doing; again:

Get an SiLabs Development Kit and look at the examples provided.

http://www.silabs.com/tgwWebApp/public/web_content/products/Microcontrollers/en/C8051F120DK.htm

 RE: programming 8051 help

thanks. im lookin at the downloads and ill try to take in all i can and understand whats goin on. :)

 RE: programming 8051 help

"is there any kind of 'getting started' guide "

Yes, with your compiler. In fact, it's named exactly that!

 RE: programming 8051 help

yea.. i kno, ive been through all that and im not that program savy, so basically the getting started guide made no sense to me :(

like, whats a crossbar and how do i connect things to the mcu and be able to control them?

 RE: programming 8051 help

"whats a crossbar and how do i connect things to the mcu "

Then your concerns are specific to the device, not the toolchain. Check the device manufacturer's website for applications notes, etc.

 RE: programming 8051 help

its all a lil bit confusing, but i am looking. thanks for the help

 RE: programming 8051 help

the SILabs datasheet will confuse you simply because of the completeness. first get familiar with "the bible" which is all general and basic information re the '51 derivatives.

Erik

here are the links to "the bible"
Chapter 1 - 80C51 Family Architecture:
http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/various/80C51_FAM_ARCH_1.pdf

Chapter 2 - 80C51 Family Programmer's Guide and Instruction Set:
http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/various/80C51_FAM_PROG_GUIDE_1.pdf

Chapter 3 - 80C51 Family Hardware Description:
http://www.nxp.com/acrobat_download/various/80C51_FAM_HARDWARE_1.pdf

 RE: programming 8051 help

wow, this is good. thanks. ive been given a lot of sites. ill try to go thru all of them.

thanks for all the support

 RE: programming 8051 help

dang.. this seriously IS a bible. i need a 8051 for dummies if there is one =)

 RE: programming 8051 help

Looks like you need to build up knowledge in several areas:

1) You say you're not 'program savvy'. Do you have a good base of C programming? There are tons of online resources. A few, from the top:

Good tutorial with excellent progressive learning: http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/cclass/
Good FAQ: http://c-faq.com/
More FAQ: http://c-faq.com/questions.html

2) Use the SIMULATOR together with the compiler to test very small snippets of code and see it running step-by-step. This is a very powerful learning tool. Do not try to configure hardware or peripherals, just try a few general C programs until you are confident to proceed.

3) The SiLABS chips have much more than meets the eye when compared to the standard 8051. Study the Bible and get used with the 8051 architecture and the Programmer's model, and then look at how these are implemented in the SiLABS chip. The crossbar, for instance, lets you map any peripheral function to any pin, a very nice feature.

4) Follow Andy Neil's advice and get a dev kit from Silicon Labs. Do the example projects. Try out your own variations.

5) Read the datasheets and the Bible scriptures. There is no easy way in. You can find dozens of books for dummies, but in the end you will refer to the datasheets and the '51 document set. Have them always at arm's length. Embedded design is not simple, but it is not black magic either. Do not try to get a soft road, or any future hurdles will seem larger. Get used with real design documentation once and for all, it is the language all important stuff is expressed into.

The '51 is not complex to learn, but you have to understand the architecture, memory types and peripherals, to build up from a solid base.

 RE: programming 8051 help

The '51 is not complex to learn
correct but contrary to popular opinion, you will not get fluent in a day.

Erik

 RE: programming 8051 help

wow.. thanks a lot for all this information.
i will try to start up and build a good foundation of learning how to use the '51, but my problem is that i have to finish this project by may. :(

thanks to everyone for their inputs! :P

 8 weeks

"my problem is that i have to finish this project by may."

So you have 8 weeks. Very little time, and so much to do. If you plan things and start right now, you will do it.

If you show real interest and willingness to work on the issues, you will certainly find people to help you along. What you will not find is people that will give you complete working code or hardware to copy from.

Can you outline what you know and what you think are the problem areas on your project?