Ebook: Making PIC Microcontroller Instruments & Controllers

This volume provides instruction concerning how to harness the power of the PIC microcontroller unit. The author provides eight projects, with illustrations and schematics that show how to design and build versatile PIC-based devices. He demonstrates how to configure all necessary hardware and software, read input voltages, work with control pulses, interface with peripherals, and debug the results. Also provided are appendices covering technical terms, abbreviations, and a list of sample programs available online.;An introduction to the PIC 16F877A microcontroller unit -- Getting started : the hardware and software setup -- Understanding microchip technology's PIC 16F877A : a description of the MCU -- The software, the compilers, and the editor -- Controlling the output and reading the input -- Timers and counters -- Clocks, memory, and sockets -- Serial communications : sockets U9 and U10 -- Using liquid crystal displays : an extended information resource -- Using sensors (transducers) -- Conditioning the input signal -- Conditioning the output signal -- An introduction to the eight projects -- The universal instrument : a background discussion -- Counting pulses : a programmable tachometer -- Creating accurate intervals with timers : the metronomes -- Understanding the counters : counting marbles -- A dual thermometer instrument -- An artificial horizon : a table surface that stays level -- Building a simple eight-button touch panel -- Single set point controller with remote inhibit capability -- Logging data from a solar collector -- Debugging -- Some real-world projects you can build -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: Setting up a compiler for one-keystroke operation -- Appendix B: Abbreviations used in this book and in the datasheets -- Appendix C: Listings of PICBASIC PRO programs on the Internet at melabs.com -- Appendix D: Notes on designing a simple battery monitor instrument : thinking about a simple problem out loud -- Appendix E: Using the support web site to help make instruments and controllers.