"Redesigning" an existing device to use a new microcontroller (not a PC microprocessor) is non-trivial; even pin-compatible parts often have changes in memory layout and peripheral addressing that drive software updates, compiler updates, etc. And if a pin-compatible part isn't available, then...it's a huge effort. I lived through this when last year's Tohoku (Japan) earthquake and tsunami caused a key Renesas plant to close, causing a huge scramble by automotive OEMs to change microcontrollers. There was a lot of pain and expense involved...
And I strenuously disagree with the assertion that USB 2.0 will "go the same way as FireWire". With an installed base estimated to be 15 billion devices, and full backwards compatibility from the successor to USB 2.0 (USB 3.0), I see a very long life for USB 2.0. More microprocessor and microcontroller architectures are including embedded USB 2.0 peripherals every day, and the roadmaps that I have seen show this trend continuing for the foreseeable future. RS-232-style ports are, on the other hand, not included in many new micros and are rapidly disappearing from silicon vendor roadmaps. Mike Alexander - N8MSA amsct...@comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Wilhelm" <w3...@embarqmail.com> To: "Jim Lowman" <jmlow...@sbcglobal.net> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:15:44 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRs and embedded processors Jim, I don't think software updates are a problem, but Windows Automatic Updates can (and do) happen at the most inconvenient times. I do not believe concern about obsolescence of dedicated processors is any great problem. The K3 could be re-designed with a different processor to take care of repairs. Loading of updated firmware into a dedicated processor is a concern because transmission methods tend to change from time to time - consider the problem the older Flex owners have bedause Flex choose to use Firewire - and I foresee USB going the same way. I am very glad to see that the K3 and KX3 have serial interfaces. Serial ports may be disappearing from consumer computers, but there are readily available adapters. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/22/2012 1:54 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: > Just a thought - I agree completely about the harm that software > updates can do. > > But isn't there another problem lurking with passing time? > I refer to the obsolescence of some dedicated processors that > are no longer available from their source. > > Will Elecraft be able to support these embedded processors > well into the future? It's been mentioned that the older, tube-based > radios of 50 years ago work just fine today (as long as one can > still obtain the required tubes). I don't expect to be around when > any of my Elecraft transceivers hit the 50-year mark, but I'd like > to think that they'll be good to go 20-30 years from now. > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
