Basic Stamp Microcontroller

Hi Guys,

Not very good at Electronics but I am getting there. Can someone please explain to me in very simple terms what can you use when you require more pins then your micro controller provides .

Thanks!

You can use a serial->parallel shift register or vice versa.

You can use a CPLD as well with some serial communication going back and forth. You could use a second microcontroller and have them talk back and forth as well.

I guess it all depends on what you are trying to hook up.

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Gimp

A very popular and easy method is to use a multiplexer, take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplexer for an overview.

There are also many I/O port expanders available (special chips simple built in intelligence for handling external I/O).

I'm guessing you are using a Basic Stamp (from the subject). Check out the resources section on Parallax, especially the Nuts n Volts columns. There many articles about expanding the I/O capabilities of the Stamp.