Which 10 Cent Microcontroller is Right for You? Comparing the CH32V003 to the PY32F002A.

Summary

In this video, Zach compares two ultra-budget microcontrollers, the Puya PY32 and WCH CH32V003, both priced around 10 cents. He explores the differences between their cores, the RISC-V of the CH32 and the ARM Cortex-M0+ of the PY32, and their implications for hobbyists and industry. Zach discusses the peripherals, ease of use, and availability, conducting real-world tests including blinking an LED and reading an ADC value. Despite the CH32's faster speed and DMA support, he concludes that the choice between them depends on specific project needs, but for larger quantities and consistent availability, the PY32 might be more suitable.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video compares the CH32V003 and PY32 microcontrollers, both of which are ultra cheap and cost around 10 cents.
• 🧩 The CH32V003 features a RISC-V core, an open-source instruction set architecture, while the PY32 uses the ARM Cortex M0+ core, which is proprietary and involves royalties.
• 📚 The script discusses the importance of considering more than just the processor core when comparing microcontrollers, including memory, peripherals, power systems, and system clocks.
• 💻 The video mentions that programming microcontrollers is often abstracted by compilers, making the underlying core less critical for many users.
• 🛠️ The script highlights the lack of documentation for the CH32V003 hardware drivers as a drawback, contrasting with the more extensive resources available for the PY32.
• 💡 The video suggests that RISC-V could have significant implications for the industry, particularly in academia and for companies looking to integrate processing cores without licensing fees.
• 🔍 The script notes that the CH32V003 seems to be more popular and has better community support, which can be an important factor for hobbyists and developers.
• 💰 The video discusses the cost and availability of the microcontrollers, with the PY32 appearing to be more consistently available in larger quantities.
• 🛒 The script describes the process of setting up and programming both microcontrollers, noting that the CH32V003 was easier to get started with due to better software support.
• 🏆 The conclusion of the video is that neither microcontroller is definitively better, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the project and the availability of the components.

Q & A

What are the two ultra cheap flash-based microcontrollers discussed in the video?

The two ultra cheap flash-based microcontrollers discussed are the Puya PY-32 and the WCH CH32V003.

What is the main difference between the RISC-V core in the CH32 and the ARM Cortex-M0+ core in the PY-32?

The RISC-V core is an open-source instruction set architecture, while the ARM Cortex-M0+ core is proprietary intellectual property from ARM, which includes additional resources like hardware models and software tools.

Why might the availability of the microcontrollers be a concern for large-scale projects?

The availability of the microcontrollers could be a concern for large-scale projects because the CH32V003 was found to have limited stock, which might not be sufficient for bulk requirements, unlike the PY-32 which has shown no such issues.

What is the significance of RISC-V for the microcontroller industry according to the video?

RISC-V is significant because it allows for free implementation of processors, which can be particularly beneficial for companies, researchers, and hobbyists who might not have otherwise developed their own silicon.

What are the advantages of using the CH32V003 over the PY-32F002 based on the video?

The CH32V003 has advantages such as a faster clock speed, a DMA controller, and a built-in op-amp. It also has a larger community and more online resources, which can be helpful for support and tutorials.

How does the video presenter feel about the open-source nature of RISC-V?

The presenter is a huge fan of open-source and believes that RISC-V will have a positive impact on the industry, supporting the idea of freely implementing processors without licensing fees.

What is the primary reason the presenter chose the PY-32 for their tile backsplash project despite the availability of the CH32V003?

The primary reason was the availability of the PY-32 in sufficient quantities for the project, as the CH32V003 had limited stock which might not meet the requirement of 500 units needed for the project.

What is the recommended IDE for programming the CH32V003 according to the video?

The recommended IDE for programming the CH32V003 is MounRiver, which is Eclipse-based and feels familiar to those who have used other ARM-based IDEs.

What is the main complaint the presenter has about the documentation for the CH32V003?

The main complaint is the lack of documentation for the hardware drivers, which makes it difficult to understand how to use certain functions without referring to example code or reading through the drivers themselves.

How does the video presenter summarize the choice between the CH32V003 and PY-32F002 for future projects?

The presenter suggests that both microcontrollers are useful and have their pros and cons, and the choice between them should be based on the specific requirements of the project. Both are considered valuable options for future projects.