Page 12 - Making PIC Microcontroller Instruments and Controllers

PREFACE

The advent ofthe miffoprocessor
in a small all-encompassing package and the avail-
ability ol easy-to-use software have changed the scope of what can be easily accom-
plished in the engineering pICo
laboratory and on the hobbyist's workbench. The
microcontrollen manufactured by Microchip Technology, lnc. of Tucson, Arizona
form a formidable family of microcontrollers that can be used to fil1 myriad everyday
needs, I have selected for
this family of mictocontrollers the projects in this book as a
way of introducing the novice engineering student, serious hobbyist, and professional
technician to the basic techniques |o use these devices to make
that must be mastered
fairly sophisticated and controllers.
instruments
The projects in this tutorial have been designed so they each emphasize the role of one
specific technique for using these microcontrollers.
Together, the ejght projects give you
the basic information and experience you require to design and build the unique instru-
ments add controllers you will need for both your special and everyday needs.
The book is divided into two main areas of interest. The first part of the book intro-
duces you to the PIC 16F877A in some detail so you know what is available in these
in
microprocessors the way of features.
The second part of the book uses these fea-
turcs inthe construction projects in detail. The l6F877Awas cho-
of the eight separate
sen as the logic engine of choice in that this 40-pin IC has almost all the features one
finds in the entire family ofMCUS in rhe Microchip Technologies,
Inc. offering. Once
you understand the use of the 16F877A, you will be able to use the other micro-
processors without difnculty. MicroEngine€ring
made by them and other manufacturers
Labs, Jameco, Solarbotics in Canada, and a large number of other vendors &lso pro-
vide a host of boatds on which the 16F877A can be mounted.
by
The LAB"XI board manufactured microEngineering
Labs was chosen as the basic
it
board for all the experiments because provides the user with a keyboad, an LCD
displa$ a piezo speaker, and three potentiometers
already mounted on the board and
ready for use as part of the instruments we will make, and it can be used as a rcliable test
pla$orm for the software we develop. It malces all the projects easier to assemble, exper-
iment with, and modily as we develop them. The prograns you create can be transfened
to other microcontrollers
in the family, with no modifications in some cases and minimal
in
modifications others. All you have to do is tell the compiler how you have changeal
the wiring, identify the microcontidler you arc using, and it does the rest. Migmtion to
MCUS made by other manufactuErs should not present much dimculry ether
If you know very litde about PIC mictocontrollers and have never played wirh
them, I strongly reconmend you rcad my first book on microcontroilen, the Zr,rrr.ial
aul Resource Book for th? L4B X1. This book is available from a number of sources.
including me, microEngineering in Canada, and
Labs inthe U.S., Jameco, Solarbotics
,lll