Over the years I've become a big fan of the open source community and I've tried to migrate to such software bit by bit. Although I haven't contributed with software myself, I would like to give credits to the creators of the tools I'm using.
I wish I could run the project entirely with open source tools under e g Linux. Some tools are currently commercial, but several should be replacable by corresponding open source equivalents.
Unfortunately the effort to migrate to a completely open source development environment is too big for the moment since I have everything up and running (and I have migrated hardware, compiler and development computer once already so... ;). I also doubt that there are high quality tools for all my needs, like replacements for the PIC simulator or C-compiler for example... or are there? Please enlight me!
Anyway, here's a list of the major software tools used:
| Category | Name |
|---|---|
| OS-environment | Cygwin |
| Build system | GNU make |
| Editor | XEmacs |
| Version control | CVS |
| Simulator | Microchip's MPLAB |
| Mathematical modelling | Matlab, planning on migrate to GNU Octave |
| C-compiler, linker | Hi-Tech PICC lite, is there a good open source compiler somewhere? |
| PIC programmer | Nigel Goodwin's WinPicProg |
| Schematics & PCB layout | Ultimate's Ulticap & Ultiboard |
| Terminal/serial communication | (HyperTerminal) Tcl/Tk |
And in the lab I've used some electronic and mechanical tools:
| Category | Name |
|---|---|
| General | Pencil and paper! |
| Hand tools | The usual stuff no developer can live without: soldering machine, drilling machine, screw drivers, pliers et c |
| PIC programmer | P16PRO40 programmer |
| Development PC | Different standard PCs |
| Multimeter | CALTEK INSTRUMENT CM3900A |
| Oscilloscope | Tektronics 7704A (a huge thing from around 1972 :) |
| Power supply | OLTRONIX B 5020 among others |