The ZX-44n is the "native mode" version of the ZX-44p microcontroller meaning that it runs native code for the processor.
The heart of the ZX-44n is the Atmel AVR ATmega644P microcontroller running at 14.7MHz which provides 4096 bytes of RAM and 2016 bytes of EEPROM for your programs.
The 64K byte internal Flash memory of the mega644P is partially occupied by special serial
downloader firmware leaving 62K bytes of Flash memory for your programs.
The mega644P has other resources available to your program including two high-speed serial ports,
analog-to-digital converters, timers and other sub-systems that may be accessed using
routines in the ZBasic System Library. Alternately, some of these resources may be accessed
directly using built-in registers.
To use the ZX-44n you'll need a regulated voltage source (4.5 to 5.5VDC), a 14.7456MHz crystal and a few additional interface components.
You may download a schematic with suggested support circuitry for the ZX-44n (identical to that of the ZX-44p except that no serial EEPROM is needed) as a PDF
or as an ExpressPCB .sch file.
To view the latter, you'll have to download free software from
ExpressPCB.
ZX-44n Technical Features¹
| Package |
44-pin TQFP |
| Operating Temperature |
-40 to +85°C |
| Processor |
Atmel AVR ATmega644P |
| Power Requirements |
4.5 to 5.5VDC regulated at 200mA |
| Processor Speed |
Up to 14.7MIPS (14.7MHz) |
| Program Execution Speed |
Up to 2.9 million instructions/sec² |
| User RAM |
4K bytes |
| Non-volatile Data Memory |
2016 bytes |
| Program Memory |
62K bytes |
| Digital I/O pins |
26+2³ |
| Analog-to-Digital Channels |
Up to 8 channels, 10-bit resolution |
| I2C Support |
1 HW channel, 4 SW channels |
| PWM Channels |
Two 16-bit |
| 1-Wire Support |
Bit and byte level |
| SPI Support |
4 HW channels |
| Synchronous Serial I/O Support |
1-16 bits, MSB or LSB first |
| Asynchronous Serial I/O Ports |
2-HW, up to 4 SW full duplex |
| X-10 Command Support |
Yes |
| Multi-tasking Support |
Yes |
| External Interrupts |
3 |
| Pin Change Interrupts |
All I/O lines |
| Analog Comparator Interrupt |
Yes |
| Interval Timer |
Yes |
| Exception Handling Support |
Yes |
| Floating Point Math |
Yes - IEEE 32-bit |
| Advanced Floating Point
Functions (sin, cos, log, etc.) |
Yes |
| Programming Interface |
Serial - 115.2K baud |
| Field Upgradeable System Software |
No |
| Supports Inline Assembly Code |
Yes |
| Supports Interrupt Handling Code |
Yes |
Notes:
1) Items in boldface indicate differences from the ZX-44p.
2) Speed based on the instruction b = b + 1.
3) The additional 2 I/O lines dedicated for serial I/O.
Specifications subject to correction and change without notice.
|
A standard serial port is required to download code to the ZX-44n.
If your computer does not have a standard 9-pin serial port but does have a USB port, you may use a USB to serial adapter.
Note, however, that some USB to serial adapters are too slow to be useful with the ZX microcontrollers.
We have found that adapters based on the second generation FTDI chips seem to work well.
The ZBasic IDE, compiler and documentation may be obtained free of charge via the Download page. See the menu at the left.
