Electronics-Lab.com Blog

Jaromir shared his AVR programmer:

Just from pure passion to see how low-end PIC exercises AVR, I made this programmer.

Basically it is STK500 port on PIC16F1825. I took this tuxgraphics.org one, did some clean-up, wrote new hardware layer for PIC16 and voila – new programmer is born. It was done in one evening and night, ready to work in the morning. I didn’t bother with USB (though there is a lot of DIP USB MCUs from microchip), as It would contain extreme amount of ICs – probably one more than this implementation – and I wanted to keep it simple and transparent. One can use FT232RL instead of MAX3232.

AVR programmer on PIC - [Link]

Raj from Embedded Lab posted a new PIC project which is about building a mono color LED matrix marquee that consists of 320 LEDs in total that are arranged in 8 rows and 40 columns. The project uses PIC16F1847 microcontroller which receives the display data from a PC through a serial interface, and display it on the LED matrix scrolling from right to left.

LED Matrix Scrolling Marquee using PIC MCU and Shift Registers - [Link]

Microchip announces two new 8-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs), the PIC16F527 and PIC16F570, which combine a PIC MCU with a dual Op Amp module, an 8-bit ADC and two comparators. The new MCUs add several features to support ease of use and system robustness.

8-bit PIC Integrates Analog Circuitry - [Link]

Visual TFT is a standalone application used for rapid development of graphical user interfaces for TFT displays. Software generates code compatible with mikroElektronika compilers: mikroC, mikroBasic and mikroPascal, for all suported MCU architectures: PIC, dsPIC30/33, PIC24, PIC32, AVR and ARM. Software implements intuitive environment and many drag-and-drop components which can be used for building applications easily and fast.

Visual TFT – Rapid development of GUIs in TFT displays - [Link]

PICkit 2 programmer is open source, so you can build your own:

PICkit 2 was originally built by Microchip as open design programmer with the schematic, source code and firmware available to boost the popularity of the PIC devices. Because of that it is easy to build a clone version of the original device. Most of the clones will produce unregulated 5 volt VPP where the original Microchip PICkit 2 provides adjustable VPP output to allow 3.3 and 2.5 volt parts programming. The schematic I have used is based on the original PICkit 2 without programmer-to-go functionality. That functionality allowing a hex file to be downloaded to the PICkit 2 to later program PIC microcontrollers without a PC with a simple pressing programmer’s push button. I do not think that functionality is required for a hobbyist but allows simplify the schematic by omitting two 24C512 EEPROM chips. The Eagle Files designed using only thru-hole mounting parts.

Build your own PICkit 2 programmer - [Link]

This mini breakout board is designed to simplify prototyping and experimentation work with the popular 18-pin PIC16F series microcontrollers. It is small in size (1.95″ X 0.75″) and is breadboard friendly. It supports PIC16F84A, PIC16F628A, PIC16F88, PIC16F648A, PIC16F1827, PIC16F1847, and other 18-pin microcontrollers in the same series.

Mini breakout board for 18-pin PIC16F series microcontrollers - [Link]

voltsandbytes.com writes:

USB has established itself as the new standard for connectivity. That is why USB connectivity has become the “holy grail” of most embedded applications.

Well, let me get straight to the point. If you want to start developing projects with USB interface, you want to have the proper development tools. To have the tools that you need, you either have to buy or to do-it-yourself.

PIC18F4550 USB Development Board - [Link]

embedded-lab.com writes:

The 12F series of PIC microcontrollers are handy little 8-pin devices designed for small embedded applications that do not require too many I/O resources, and where small size is advantageous. These applications include a wide range of everyday products such as hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, and blenders. Despite their small size, the PIC12F series microcontrollers offer interesting features including wide operating voltage, internal programmable oscillator, 4 channels of 10-bit ADC, on-board EEPROM memory, on-chip voltage reference, multiple communication peripherals (UART, SPI, and I2C), PWM, and more. This is a revised version of the previous PIC12F development board and is designed for fast and easy development of standalone applications using PIC12F microcontrollers. It features an on-board regulated +5V power supply, header connectors to access I/O pins, an ICSP header for programming, a reset circuit, and a small prototyping area for placing additional components.

Revised version of the PIC12F microcontrollers breakout board - [Link]

TrH Meter is a DIY microcontroller-based indoor thermometer plus hygrometer that displays temperature (F/C) and relative humidity on 4 seven segment LED displays which adjust their brightness level according to the surrounding illumination. The displays are 1 inch big, emits bright yellow color, and are readable from more than 50 ft away. It consists of a closed loop system that continuously assesses ambient light condition using an inexpensive light-dependent resistor (LDR) and uses that information to adjust the brightness of the display. The DHT11 sensor is used to measure temperature and relative humidity. The microcontroller used in this project is PIC16F688, and it runs at 4 MHz internal clock. A separate display driver chip (MAX7219) is used to control and refresh the display data on the seven segment LEDs. A 3-position slide switch controls power ON/OFF and Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C) scale select for temperature display. You can now preorder the project kit for a discounted price of $25 on Tindie. You will receive a preprogrammed PIC16F688 microcontroller in the kit.

TrH Meter project kit is now available for preorder on Tindie - [Link]

www.engscope.com writes:

The PIC24F is a very versatile piece of hardware. I use it at work all the time. Along with the MPLAB IDE and the free C30 compiler, these products from Microchip make for a powerful combination. You can pretty much do anything on the lower end of the frequency spectrum. I would like to share with the web, some of the intricacies of the microcontroller as I have become somewhat familiar with the chip. Most of these resources will apply to the other processors from Microchip 16-bit series. If you have any questions, feel free the comment or email. Come back to this page often as I will be adding features and code for all of the web to see.

PIC24 Tutorial - [Link]