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 |