A PICAXE microcontroller is a standard Microchip PICmicro™ microcontroller that has been pre-programmed with the PICAXE bootstrap code. The bootstrap code enables the PICAXE microcontroller to be re-programmed directly via a simple serial connection. This eliminates the need for an (expensive) conventional programmer, making the whole download system a very low-cost simple serial cable!
The pre-programmed bootstrap code also contains common routines (such as how to generate a pause delay or a sound output), so that each download does not have to waste time downloading this commonly required data. This makes the download time much quicker.
As the blank microcontrollers purchased to ‘make’ PICAXE microcontrollers are purchased in large volumes, it is possible for the manufacturer to program the bootstrap code and still sell the PICAXE microcontroller at prices close to standard catalogue process for single un-programmed PIC microcontrollers. This
means the cost of the PICAXE microcontroller to the end user is very economical. The PICAXE bootstrap code is not available for programming into blank microcontrollers. You must purchase PICAXE microcontrollers (rather than blank, un-programmed microcontrollers) for use in the PICAXE system.
Product Details
The smallest, but most popular, PICAXE microcontroller. Very popular in education due to its low cost and small size, but also very popular in a wide range of hobbyist projects. Small but perfectly formed!
This chip supports up to 6 inputs/outputs with 3 analogue/touch sensor channels.
All M2 series parts support enhanced features such as configurable i/o pins, parallel tasks, ring tone music and touch sensor inputs.
Click here for more M2 series information.
For more details see the What is PICAXE and PICAXE Pinout pages.
The PICAXE-08M2 replaces the older PICAXE-08 and PICAXE-08M chips.
Specification
| Pack size |
20x10x15mm |
| Pack weight |
1.5g |
The following table gives a brief summary of the various PICAXE chips.
For a more detailed comparison please see the PICAXE manuals and pinout diagrams.
| Feature |
08M2 |
14M2 |
18M2 |
20M2 |
20X2 |
28X2 |
40X2 |
| Memory Capacity (bytes) |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
4096 |
4096 |
4096 |
| RAM (bytes) |
128 |
512 |
256 |
512 |
256 |
1280 |
1280 |
| Byte Variables (bytes) |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
56 |
56 |
56 |
| Input/Outputs Pins |
6 |
12 |
16 |
18 |
18 |
22 |
33 |
| ADC/Touch Pins |
3 |
7 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
16 |
27 |
| Max. Freq. (MHz) |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
| Serial In/Out |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Infrared In/Out |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| I2C |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tune (ring tones) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Parallel Tasks |
4 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Program Slots |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
4 |
4 |
The same software, BASIC language and USB download cable is shared between all the PICAXE chips.
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