How do I get started with a small (cheap) PIC?
Jerry
Posts: 18
I have written many programs in assembler on the Z80, 8080, 8085, 6502 processors, but now have an application where a PIC would be perfect.
Problem is, I have never worked with a PIC microcontroller and need a starting point. GOOGLE gave me thousands of possibilities. Can some of you help me to narrow the list down?
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I am looking for a cheap and small PIC (only need 1 input line and 1 output line-for this job), a programmer for it, and a starters "how to" book. Any suggestions on a book covering the assembly code would be helpful.
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I am asking for suggestions on:
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1.·Source for·a programmer.
2.·A starter book on the hardware wiring.
3.·A text covering the assembly code.
·
Thanks people, always a pleasure dealing with people who know their subject.
Problem is, I have never worked with a PIC microcontroller and need a starting point. GOOGLE gave me thousands of possibilities. Can some of you help me to narrow the list down?
·
I am looking for a cheap and small PIC (only need 1 input line and 1 output line-for this job), a programmer for it, and a starters "how to" book. Any suggestions on a book covering the assembly code would be helpful.
·
I am asking for suggestions on:
·
1.·Source for·a programmer.
2.·A starter book on the hardware wiring.
3.·A text covering the assembly code.
·
Thanks people, always a pleasure dealing with people who know their subject.
Comments
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·1+1=10
Just click on the word "PARALLAX" at the top of this page! How easy is that?
(oh and dont forget the excellent staff and super helpful users right here too!)
--Paul
You are correct, there are thousands of possibilities. While a better description of your project will get you more recommendations, here is mine. Go to your local RadioShack (if you are in the US) and get the Parallax "What's a Microcontroller" kit for $80.
www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2117994&cp=&kw=parallax&parentPage=search
It comes with the following:
* HomeWork board with integrated BS2
* "What's a Microcontroller" parts kit
* "What's a Microcontroller" printed manual
* serial programming cable
* CD with software and other documentation
You will need to get some 9v batteries, or you can get RadioShack power adapter catalog #273-1761.
If you want something more flexible that uses the modular Stamps, you should consider the Basic Stamp Discovery Kit:
www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27207
The two kits are basically the same, the main difference being the dev-board and BS2 format. Both are programmed in PBasic, which you shouldn't have any problems with. While you can get ASM programmed kits from Parallax, they are really designed for the more advanced user, both in terms of software & hardware.
Lastly, all of the Parallax documentation can be downloaded from their website if you want to look at it for a more informed decision.
If you don't need the raw speed and have a PC, get a BS1USB, download the Stamp Editor and get to work. It's quick and easy to use and only costs $30.
BACKGROUND:
I am teaching a microcontroller course (college level) using the BS2 with the BOE and have taught it using the NX-1000.
I want to use a PIC as the foundation of another course. This project is a way to get started into the new course. For this one, I will be building some 200 boards as support to the BS2 (BOE) as a lab exercise for my current course. A $6 chip or a $1.59 chip makes or breaks the proposal.
WHAT I AM ASKING FOR: (I think)
I have found a reference to a PIC12F629 (8-pin with 6 I/O pins) for 1.59; is there a cheaper option?
This application is to have the BS2 send a coded signal to the PIC, and the PIC will generate a pulse string on a different pin. (A different output pulse string for each input code).
PBASIC is nice, but I what to get back to assembler-not for the speed, but because I can.
The SX is being considered, but I want to check out the PIC controllers as well.
I like the suggestion about a PIC forum, suggestions for a good one?
In some minds, the PIC forum is http://www.piclist.com.· Go there and click·the "Mailing List" link to subscribe.
Have you considered the AVR? The forum is http://www.avrfreaks.com/.
But back to the SX...
Does this mean that the point of the exercise is software design, rather than, hardware design?· If so, do take a closer look at the SX tools offered by Parallax.· Factor in the costs of the hardware to accompany the $1 microprocessor of choice.· Maybe the $10 assembled SX development board complete with microprocessor(·http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=45300 and just add power) will then not appear·be so much more expensive.· There is a complete library of SX programming material--datasheets, application notes, tutorials, and books--drill down from http://www.parallax.com/sx/index.asp.
In any case, a chip solution will require a programmer tool, for the processors mentioned, they will range from mostly-free·to about $100.· The Parallax SX programmer is the SX-Key (·http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=552-00007 ) in the middling-high area of that range.· BTW, to some extent, programmers can be shared by several students/teams.
Again, do not overlook the extensive, complete, and free support of their products offered by Parallax.· The additional competent and willing support of the forum members here is just an big plus.· Parallax is justifiably proud of both.
Daniel
Post Edited (daniel) : 2/12/2006 3:47:24 AM GMT
Thanks to all.
The PicKit2, for $36, is an excellent beginner's programmer device, running off USB and capable of programming a variety of PIC's up to 20 pins in size. The Pickit includes a prototype board that could be the hardware base for an instructional program.
As already mentioned, the PIC has lots of support, though not as focused as on the Parallax site.
Any student with professional microcontroller interests will have to move beyond the Stamp arena and into the assembler and C based arena. I view this as a natural progression for the student who starts with Parallax products. The PIC is a major player in this arena.
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
Square-1 has produced the traditional PIC training materials. But the PIC technology has changed so much that the literature has had difficulty in keeping up. Most materials reference the older 16F84 PIC that required an external clock. The newer PIC's have an internal oscillator so 3 to 5 volts and a bypass capacitor are all that is needed to power up the chip.
Try these sources:
http://www.sq-1.com/
http://www.amqrp.org/elmer160/index.html
http://www.mikroelektronika.co.yu/english/product/books/PICbook/picbook.htm
Search various college engineering programs to see what their course layout looks like.
I'm afraid that's about as far as we should go using the Parallax forum.
Post Edited (bobledoux) : 2/13/2006 1:42:09 PM GMT
At this point in time Parallax is expanding their product line, with the edition of the SX processors, and here is where I see to be an excellent opportunity for them: create an SX curriculum that does for the SX what the Stamps in Class curriculum does for the BS2.
Whether the curriculum was a re-write of Stamps, or a more advanced concepts curriculum would need to be researched, but personally, I think that the niche is there. Stamps is already used in schools/colleges, so there is a user base. Differentiate the 2 curriculums enough so that choosing one would be based on the depth of material desired.
In another post I suggested creating an SX-Stamp that was pin compatible with the BS2. It would allow a user to plug it into a BoE, and via a serial adapter or programming header program the SX. With a module like this, it would be fairly easy to adapt the Stamp curriculum to ASM or C.
I think that Parallax could, without much trouble, leverage their strength in the educational market and expand it to the SX, if they choose to do so.