''Basic Atom'' refers to a line of self-contained
microcontroller
A microcontroller (MCU for ''microcontroller unit'', often also MC, UC, or μC) is a small computer on a single VLSI integrated circuit (IC) chip. A microcontroller contains one or more CPUs (processor cores) along with memory and programmable i ...
s fro
Basic Micro
Like the
Basic stamp
The BASIC Stamp is a microcontroller with a small, specialized BASIC interpreter (PBASIC) built into ROM. It is made by Parallax, Inc. and has been popular with electronics hobbyists since the early 1990s.
Technical specifications
Although the ...
, the Basic Atom line is based upon various microchips pre-programmed with an interpreter, making it easy to change "programs", as they are only "data" being interpreted. A compiler converts a high level language into the interpretive "code" which is then loaded in as data, and run.
* The product line consists of:
** Basic Atom - ''Basic Stamp 2'' compatible devices, claiming faster execution
** Basic Atom Nano, a series of pre-programmed chips for those that want to integrate the functionality into other products without adding other boards
** Basic Atom Pro, a line of higher capacity devices.
** Board-level products, such as for robotic control, etc.
** Accessories such as power supplies.
Basic Atom chips may be added to other projects via the familiar
Dual in-line package
In microelectronics, a dual in-line package (DIP or DIL), is an electronic component package with a rectangular housing and two parallel rows of electrical connecting pins. The package may be through-hole mounted to a printed circuit board (P ...
style, or the higher density
TQFP.
One small Basic Atom Pro is implemented as a
Single in-line package thus taking very little area on a board, at the expense of greater height.
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Atoms