Category Archives: Microchip PIC Tutorials

Hello World Project With PIC Microcontroller – Part II

Hello Friends, Welcome back. In the last tutorial we started working with MPLab and HI-TECH C Compiler and written our first C program to blink LED. After compiling the program we got the HEX file. Now, in this tutorial we will see how to transfer(burn) the hex file to our Microcontroller chip and then power it up to actually blink the LED. We will use eXtreme Burner – PIC , which is a easy to use GUI programmer for PIC18 MCUs. The burner supports USB connectivity with PC so it is very easy to install and use. Launch eXtreme Burner – PIC from Windows Desktop or Start Menu.   Fig.: eXtreme Burner – PIC, Main Screen.   The software is easy to use. First you need to load the HEX file which was generated by MPLAB+HI-TECH C in previous tutorial. So select Open from File Menu or From the Toolbar. Then select the hex file. Now the HEX file will be loaded and the contents (FLASH,EEPROM,Chip Settings) will be available. Now connect the programmer with your PC by using standard USB Cable the programmer will be automatically detected by software (provided drivers are installed previously) . Apply power to programmer using a 12v DC adaptor. Place a PIC18F4550 chip in the ZIF socket and lock it.   Fig.: eXtreme Burner […]

Hello World Project With PIC Microcontroller – Part I

Hello friends, welcome to this exciting tutorial were we will begin our journey with latest PIC18F micros from Microchip Technologies. This tutorial will give you information on what software/hardware you will require and basic steps on how to get, install, configure and use them. After going through this tutorial you will have a complete setup and knowledge to experiment with these powerful chips !         What you will learn ? MPLab as a powerful IDE. HI-TECH C for PIC18 MCUs as a powerful C Compiler. Creating a new HI-TECH C project in MPLab. Write a C Code to blink LED and compile it to get a HEX code. Configure the MCU for proper oscillator selection. Burn the HEX code to MCU using eXtreme Burner PIC from eXtreme Electronics. Use the programmed MCU to actually blink the LED ! So lets get started !!! First get these stuffs Microchip’s MPLab IDE or Integrated development Environment. This is the central tool from where you can access most of other tools, like the C Compiler. This also lets you create and edit program files and projects. Download this from Microchips Web site and Install it in your computer. Download MPLAB IDE Free. HI-TECH C Pro for PIC18 MCUs – This is will compile the high level human readable programs (in […]

USB PIC Microcontroller Programmer.

Good News for PIC lovers ! Presenting eXtreme Burner PIC, USB Programmer for PIC18FXXXX/PIC18LFXXXX/PIC16FXXXA/PIC16LFXXXA series MCUs. This easy to use programmer with USB connectivity and GUI software can program more than 52 chips of PIC18F/PIC16F family. This programmer support both ZIF socket and ICSP based programming. eXtreme Burner – PIC   Software eXtreme Burner PIC – Main Screen.   eXtreme Burner PIC – Write Device Screen.   eXtreme Burner PIC – PIC Programming Success !   About Microchip PIC18F Series MCUs These are high performance MCUs of popular PIC range of MCUs from Microchip. Main features are high performance CPU core (up to 12 MIPS),hardware multiplier, C language optimized architecture, with Modern peripherals such as USB. See Microchip’s Official PIC18F web page. Getting Started with PIC Microcontrollers. See Also eXtreme Burner 51 – USB Programmer for 89S51/89S52 MCUs. For any queries write to sales@extremeelectronics.co.in or Call 09939369624 (Avinash). More Info | Buy Now

Making a Simple PIC Programmer.

In this tutorial we will make a simple serial port based programmer for PIC microcontrollers. I have tried several easy to make programmers and software, and here I a presenting the programmer that worked the best. The design is based on JDM. The software we will use is PICPgm by Christian Stadler. I liked the performance of the software, its fast and easy to use. The programmer will make uses the COM port of Computer for communication. Components required. S.No Item Value/Part No Qty 01 Transistor BC337-40 or BC337-25 2 02 Capacitor Electrolytic 100uF 16VDC 2 03 Zener Diode 5.1v 0.5Watt 1 04 Zener Diode 6.2v 0.5Watt 1 05 Diode 1N4148 4 06 Resistor 1.5K 1 07 Resistor 10K 1 08 LED RED Colour 1 09 DB9 Female Connector with Cover – 1 10 6 PIN Female Connector with Wire – 1 11 Veroboard, Wires etc – – Circuit Diagram Now assemble the circuit as shown below in a piece of veroboard. Fig. : Simple Serial Port Based PIC Programmer. So our PIC programmer will have two interface A Serial Interface for Connecting it with PC A 6 PIN ICSP Connecter – This will be connected to our PIC which will sit in our project (say in a Breadboard). Fig. : Simple Serial Port Based PIC Programmer.   The technique […]

Tutorial 0 – Getting Started with Microchip PIC Microcontrollers.

After my tutorial series on Atmel AVR Microcontrollers and I have planed to start a similar tutorial series on Microchip PIC Microcontrollers. PIC Family of Micros are popular among hobbyists as they are easily available, easy to use and are low cost. In the first couple of tutorial we will make/collect hardware and software tools which will be required to experiment with PIC MCUs. Once you have the basic tools up and running we will proceed to learning how to do basic stuffs with PICs, like setting and using PORTs, Controlling LEDs, Relays, Motors etc. These will help you as building blocks that will help you develop your own project and understand and implement thousands of PIC MCU projects out there in Magazines and Internet. These tutorials assumes that you are a beginner with Microcontroller i.e. having no or little experience with them. What is a Microcontroller? Ans: For information of "What is a microcontroller?" and how it can help you see this link. Selecting A Microcontroller We will start our journey with PIC16F877A and PIC16F628A Microcontrollers. Then we will move to high performance 18F core microcontrollers like PIC18F2550 and PIC18F4550. Tools Required What hardware and software tools you will need is described in this page. The article also gives you the over all process of development with MCUs. The […]