Page 170 - Making PIC Microcontroller Instruments and Controllers

164 Usrr{c 3E s('ns fiMt{SDUcERS)

I . Tachometer counting the frequency of a pulse train
2. Metronome Creating accurate timed inte als (frequencies)
3. Marbles counter Exploring various counting techniques and how lo
implement them
4. Dual thermometer Reading analog signals and displaying them
5. Artificial llorizon Providing a stable horizontal surlace with an unusual
instrument
6. Touch screen Making control panels through a useful technique
7. Single-point contoler Controlling one variable (derived from item 4 of this list)
g. Solar collector Exploring data collection over a long time period; data
logging

These eight projects are designed to familiarize you with the basic techniques needed
to bnild instrumenh and controllers in today's engineering laboratories and on hobby-

Two Interestins Resources You

Will Want to Investi ate

Radioshack has asensors learning laboratory (-$50) that provides an inexpcnsive way
to access a family of sensors that can be used with our instriiments.
The Mccraw-Hill book tlectftnic Sensors for the hil C€rius discusses a number of
interesting sensors and explains how to use them. These techniques, and othe$ lhat are
modifications of tbem, can be used in the instuments and controllers we shall cleate.