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Getting Started with PIC Microcontrollers

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Title: Getting Started with PIC Microcontrollers


1
Getting Started with PIC Microcontrollers
  • Kelly Flowers NN8E
  • April 18th, 2011

2
My Background
  • Licensed in 1979
  • Education BSEE 1981
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (Ohio)
  • Former NOARS member (80s and 90s)
  • Worked for Allen-Bradley/Rockwell for 25yrs
  • Worked with computers and microprocessors since
    1979
  • Began working with PICs in late 90s

3
What am I going to cover tonight?
  • PIC background, purpose, value proposition
  • PIC architecture (whats it look like inside one)
  • How can you use one?
  • PIC system overview(dev s/w, programmer, target
    or protoboard)
  • Programming language choices(Assy, Basic, C)
  • Simple examples / hands on
  • Recommended resources

Just want to whet your appetite tonight!
4
The 411 on PICs
  • Peripheral Interface Controllers came along in
    the 90s from Microchip
  • Small pin count microcontrollers intended to be
    smart and fast I/O front ends for more
    traditional microprocessors
  • Not intended to have big number-crunching ability
  • Hundreds of PICs and dsPICs

5
Why are they so popular?
  • Cost!
  • Per piece cost is low, typically under 5
  • Software development environment needed to
    program the devices is FREE (MPLAB IDE)
  • Programmers are low cost
  • Learning curve is fast(low of instructions)
  • Proliferation of hardware, software, books
  • Backward compatibility
  • Higher level language compilers(Basic, C)
  • Canned serial comms (RS232, SPI, I2C)
  • Flash memory based, quickly re-programmable
  • Minimal support parts needed

6
The simplest of PICs
This even has analog input capability!!!
7
(No Transcript)
8
General PIC project overview
PIC
INPUTS Digital Analog
OUTPUTS Digital
SERIAL DEVICES (displays, EEPROM, RTC, smart
sensors)
9
What do you need to get started?
  • PC to load development software(MPLAB) on to
  • Programmer which connects between PC and your PIC
  • Target or protoboard or your actual project board
    to test your program!

10
The simplest of PIC projects
Even the 12F675 supports ICSP!
11
What is MPLAB IDE?
  • This is the program you download to your PC to
    get started with writing your first program
  • Integrated Development Environment
  • Free integrated software tool set for developing
    and troubleshooting programs for embedded
    applications using PICs
  • Easily integrates with 3rd party software such as
    high level language compilers
  • Really high quality, professional grade software
  • The bad news is Microchip upgrades it a lot and
    every few generations changes the look and feel!

12
Programming Language Choices
  • Assembly language is the lowest level
  • No extra cost to use
  • Fastest
  • Manipulating things at the bit level
  • Not easy to do higher level tasks like serial
    comm and math

13
35 Assembly instructions (mid-range)
14
Two Higher Level Choices
  • BASIC
  • Micro Engineering Labs
  • C
  • Multiple vendors (I use CCS)
  • Free light versions
  • Popular with scientists and engineers
  • High level languages are used to simplify more
    complicated tasks like math and serial
    communications
  • Microchip made using these with MPLAB a breeze!
  • Typically execute more slowly than Assembly
    programs doing the same thing, but this is not
    usually a problem
  • The full versions cost 100 to 300

15
Youre gonna need a Programmer
16
Putting it all together
  • Picture your final project(I like to do the
    hardware design first)
  • Download MPLAB or install it off supplied disc
  • Connect programmer with blank PIC installed
  • Launch MPLAB and set up for proper PIC and the
    type of programmer you are using
  • Write your program(or use an example) and build
    till you have no errors! (the hard part)
  • Try it out! Do this as many times as needed
    since you can keep erasing and reprogramming in
    seconds!

I recommend the PICkit 2 ARRL Book
17
Project Thoughts.
  • Keyer
  • Test equipment
  • Freq counter
  • Signal gen (DC to Daylight with DDS board!!!)
  • SWR / power meter
  • Repeater control
  • Automatic control of anything!
  • Hobby servo control
  • Any timing and/or counting applications
  • Holiday lights
  • Home automation

18
Resources
  • Microchip website
  • MPLAB, PICkit 23, ICD 23, datasheets, app notes
  • ARRL PIC Programming for Beginners
  • Hellebuyck Beginners Guide to Embedded C
    Programming
  • Square 1 website(www.sq-1.com)
  • Wilmshurst Designing Embedded Systems with PIC
    Microcontrollers
  • Nuts and Volts magazine
  • www.sparkfun.com
  • Programmers, proto boards, parts
  • www.best-microcontroller-projects.com
  • Tutorials, projects
  • www.olimex.com
  • Excellent cheap proto boards(available at
    sparkfun)
  • www.kangaus.com PIC-EL II proto board, docs
  • www.digikey.com, www.mouser.com, www.jameco.com,
    www.newark.com PICs and parts
  • GOOGLE!!! EBAY!!!
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