Summary of New ZX Microcontrollers Now Shipping
Elba Corporation launched the ZX-24a, ZX-40a, and ZX-44a microcontrollers, featuring 3.5K bytes of user RAM based on the Atmel ATmega644. These devices are pin-compatible with Basic Stamp and BasicX-24 formats and programmed via ZBasic software. The new models offer enhanced productivity through a specialized IDE with syntax highlighting and auto-optimization features for efficient code development.
Parts used in the ZX Microcontroller Series:
- ZX-24a microcontroller
- ZX-40a microcontroller
- ZX-44a microcontroller
- Atmel ATmega644 MCU
- ZBasic compiler
- ZBasic Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
Beaverton, OR (PRWEB) August 31, 2006
Elba Corporation announced today the first customer shipments of a new series of multi-tasking microcontrollers intended for use by scientists, engineers, experimenters and hobbyists. The ZX-24a is a ready-to-use, 24-pin Stamp-format device that is pin compatible with the venerable Basic Stamp (Parallax Inc.) and the BasicX-24 (NetMedia Inc.). The ZX-40a and ZX-44a models are 40-pin DIP and 44-pin TQFP format devices, respectively, targeted to high volume products or applications where additional I/O lines are required. All ZX-series microcontrollers are programmed in ZBasic, a subset of Microsofts Visual Basic (VB6) with microcontroller-specific extensions and other productivity enhancements.
The three newest members of the ZX microcontroller family are based on the Atmel ATmega644 MCU. The primary benefit offered by the new ZX models is an additional 2K bytes of User RAM for a total of 3.5K bytes available to users programs. The new ZX models are pin compatible and source code compatible with their previously released counterparts – the ZX-24, ZX-40 and ZX-44.
The single unit pricing of the new ZX models is as follows: ZX-24a $ 59.95, ZX-40a $ 39.95, ZX-44a $ 39.95. With the introduction of the new ZX models, the prices of the original models have been reduced: ZX-24 $ 49.95, ZX-40 $ 29.95, ZX-44 $ 29.95. Volume pricing is available.
The ZBasic programming language is a superset of NetMedias BasicX language, providing many advanced capabilities that help programmers write correct code more quickly. The compiler can detect common programming defects such as use of a variable before its initialization and other likely errors. The ZBasic compiler incorporates advanced optimization techniques that help programmers pack more functionality into the available code and data spaces by, for example, eliminating unused or superfluous variables and unreachable code.
Programs for the ZX-24 may be edited and compiled using a state-of-the-art Integrated Development Environment. The ZBasic IDE provides productivity-enhancing features such as word completion, call tips, auto-indenting, syntax highlighting and undo/redo. The IDE can also be used to perform field updates of the ZX-24s internal firmware, making it simple to upgrade to new firmware releases as they become available.
More information and a free download of the compiler, IDE and documentation are available at http://www.zbasic.net.
ZBasic, ZX-24, ZX-24a, ZX-40, ZX-40a, ZX-44, ZX-44a, and Elba are trademarks of Elba Corp. Other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
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- What is the primary benefit of the new ZX models?
The new models offer an additional 2K bytes of User RAM for a total of 3.5K bytes available to user programs. - Which microcontroller base do the ZX series use?
All three newest members of the ZX family are based on the Atmel ATmega644 MCU. - Can I use the ZBasic IDE to update firmware?
Yes, the IDE can perform field updates of the internal firmware to upgrade to new releases easily. - Does the ZBasic compiler detect programming errors?
Yes, it detects common defects such as using a variable before initialization and other likely errors. - What productivity features does the ZBasic IDE provide?
The IDE offers word completion, call tips, auto-indenting, syntax highlighting, and undo/redo capabilities. - Are the new ZX models compatible with previous versions?
Yes, they are both pin compatible and source code compatible with their previously released counterparts. - How much does the ZX-24a cost per unit?
The single unit pricing for the ZX-24a is $59.95. - Is the ZBasic language a subset or superset of BasicX?
ZBasic is a superset of NetMedias BasicX language providing many advanced capabilities.
