Ouch those delivery times are long! I bought my programmer from DigiKey, I think it was $50 but it was a recommended unit on the Xilinx software programmer list. Seemed worth the extra and it is now part of my tool kit should I build anything else :) Wonder why Canada has such long delivery times. I have noticed that parts destined for the US clear US customs in China if they are coming out of Shenzhen, Hong Kong or Shanghai. At which point they usually arrive quite quickly into the US postal service. While you wait you can load the programming software and explore its features.
Part numbers can be cryptic and in the past manufacturers were sometimes inconsistent. Generally the speed of the part in terms of access time is the key one for Flash and SRAM. The package is important when you have to match an existing design. However as you gain experience you will be able to identify them quite quickly. A few side by side data sheet comparisons will make things much clearer. Since these parts are already selected by the board designer it makes the comparison somewhat easier. Powered USBs hubs are good and if you want to sacrifice a USB cable you can get the +5V from any good quality USB charger. I use USB chargers to power a lot of projects they are very handy. The good quality USB chargers are capable of delivering 2A without any problems, even without being commanded by the USB device. I like Digikey they are the only ones who charge realistic shipping, I usually pick USPS when using them. However they are not the cheapest and some of their prices are a little excessive. I am very fortunate to have Jameco just a bike ride away which makes them my local parts store for the less complex items :) On 22/9/17, 9:34 PM, "M100 on behalf of Jim Anderson" <[email protected] on behalf of [email protected]> wrote: >> -----Original Message----- >> >> I would suggest sanding along the length of the board it could start to >> delaminate if you tried to go any other way, the OSHPark boards are not >> of very high quality. > >Good tip. > >> Programming in the Model T could cause all sorts of problems the socket >> on >> the board is live, not just with +5V, there are quite a few active >> signal >> lines that go to the socket. >> [...] >> A cheap alternative might be >> https://www.jameco.com/z/34020-Solarbotics-5V-Breadboard-Voltage- >> Regulator- > >Another good point. > >Thinking about it, I actually have a few good sources of 5vdc >available... a powered USB hub (not connected to a computer) seems like >it might make a good supply, no? > >> If in doubt post the concern/question there are some very knowledgeable >> folks on this site who can probably address just about all issues >> related >> to the Model T. > >This mailing list has been invaluable, let me tell you. I've learned so >much since subscribing, and from browsing through archived posts. (I've >been playing around with the CP/M setup in VT, which is very cool.) > >Incidentally, I got my DigiKey order today, which is incredible. I've >never ordered anything from them before and their packaging is fantastic. > I'm kind of amazed that they're able to sell small quantities of >components at such low costs, individually bagged and custom labeled >(even my comments from the shopping cart are printed on each bag, which >is an unexpected bonus - now I don't have to consult a parts list to know >which bag is for which project and board point!). > >Too bad I won't have anything to solder them to for a few weeks yet, and >who knows how long before the Xilinx programmer arrives from China. I >may have working QUADs before I have working REXs. ;) > >To give you an idea of why I'm so amazed to get my DigiKey parcel so >quickly, here's the estimated delivery times from eBay for the key >components to reach me here in Canada (and my experience shows that it's >most likely to take until the end of each time window): > >Quad SRAM Oct 02 - Oct 13 >REX Flash Oct 17 - Nov 27 >Xilinx programmer Oct 17 - Nov 27 > > > > > > > > jim
