Electronics > Microcontrollers
Absolute beginner interested in learning to use microcontrollers
Paradoxine:
So for a project I want to do, I'll need to use a micro-controller. Not a particularly complex circuit mind, and indeed I could get away with doing it with some more basic components but it'd be far more work and cost more in addition. Anyway, I'm currently in (UK)College and would like to learn to use PIC micro-controllers (material is easiest to find). I have found the following books:
http://www.amazon.com/PIC-Microcontrollers-Know-All-Newnes/dp/0750686154/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352591966&sr=1-7&keywords=PIC+microcontroller
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-PIC-Microcontroller-Introductory-ebook/dp/B0014D4R1K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Embedded-Systems-Microcontrollers-Edition/dp/1856177505/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I'd appreciate it if you guys could give me any advice and or suggest any alternative material. I don't mind learning assembly, but not just for the sake of it, at least not at this point when results are more important. I have ample experience in C++ so using C won't be too much of an issue, apart from learning the necessary API etc. Unfortunately, I don't have much money either, so buying multiple (expensive) books is probably not possible. Also, any good free online guides would be much appreciated.
At this point I'm tempted to just jump down into hell, buy a kit and then just google relentlessly until I know enough to get by. I'd prefer getting a more rounded knowledge base though.
montcler:
Hello,
There are plenty of books (C, assembly, Basic) you can download them in PDF through the network.
Simply search. Luck!
Greetings.
croberts:
Hello
Lately, I do a lot of design and programming with the PIC16F690. I use microchip's free MPLAB IDE to write and compile code and to program the chip. I use a PICSTART Plus programmer and DIP versions of the chip. I do all assembly language programming. I am currently using the chip to control the LED lighting system I designed for my home (see Topics "Solar Powered LED Lighting System","LED Light", and "LED Driver" in the Projects, Designs and Technical Stuff section). I use the plain MPLAB IDE (I think they are on version 8) not MPLAB-x (might be great I just haven't used it). I hope this helps you get started. Let me know if I can help you get a project started.
Paradoxine:
--- Quote from: croberts on November 11, 2012, 01:53:09 am ---Hello
Lately, I do a lot of design and programming with the PIC16F690. I use microchip's free MPLAB IDE to write and compile code and to program the chip. I use a PICSTART Plus programmer and DIP versions of the chip. I do all assembly language programming. I am currently using the chip to control the LED lighting system I designed for my home (see Topics "Solar Powered LED Lighting System","LED Light", and "LED Driver" in the Projects, Designs and Technical Stuff section). I use the plain MPLAB IDE (I think they are on version 8) not MPLAB-x (might be great I just haven't used it). I hope this helps you get started. Let me know if I can help you get a project started.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the reply, I think the first step is to know exactly what I'm dealing with, so even just stating what it is you use is very helpful. I just recently found a Pickit3 PDF user guide and it may be just enough for me to get started.
dr_p:
I started with PicKit2 and the tutorials from http://www.gooligum.com.au/tutorials.html which I found to be excellent. They used to be free, now only the baseline ones are. I chose the PicKit2 programer because I wanted everything to work together on the first try - MPLAB, compiler, hadware. There are also some useful tutorials on the CD that came with it.
Gooligum also sell a training board that goes hand in hand with their tutorials, but you still need a programer.
You might want to stock some cheap PICs for all those tutorials - 10F200, 12F509, 16F505, 16F629, 16F684, 16F690 (included in PicKit2).
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