The PicWiser Ultimate Guide to Embedded C Programming is
a hands-on guide designed to quickly and cost effectively get
you programming microcontrollers in C. The PIC16F876 Flash
Microcontroller from MicroChip is used along with the High-Tech
C Pro for the PIC10/12/16 MCU Family (Lite mode) Freeware
C Compiler for learning to program embedded microcontrollers.
Since this is a hands on guide, all the necessary tools and
hardware are shown to get you up and programming micros in a
short period of time.
The projects start with the basics presenting the needed C
statements and then advancing to projects showing how to
perform a multitude of embedded techniques. From basic input
and output processing to common interfaces are presented. All
projects are complete with hardware how-to and software
programs.
There are 3 ways to use this guide. First off you could
just read through it to learn about the topics which will give
you a basic understanding of C and embedded micros. The second
way, which will require some extra time, is to build the basic
circuitry (The PicWiser), get the USB interface, and then
follow along. The recommended way is to purchase the PicWiser
module and you'll be off and running in as little time as
possible. The PicWiser is available either through the Emicros
Ebay store at
Microcontrollers are everywhere. It is virtually impossible
to go a day without benefiting from one. Around the house you’ll
find micros (short for microcontroller) in your microwave
ovens, phone systems, automatic thermostats, appliances, TVs,
and VCRs. In your automobile there are numerous micros for
engine control functions, automatic braking systems,
instrumentation, audio, and body functions. Going on an
airplane? Just getting from the parking lot to the gate there
are micros in the parking gates, ticket printers, baggage
scanners, you get the idea. But what is a microcontroller?
Think of a microcontroller as a microprocessor system on a
chip. The microprocessor was developed as the central
processing unit in a system with external address and data
busses to access memory and peripherals. The PC that you will
be using later in this book is the classic example of a
microprocessor system.
The microcontroller integrates the microprocessor, memory,
and peripherals onto one integrated device. The address and
data busses are usually not available to access external
memory or devices. Instead, devices for parallel input/output,
analog-to-digital conversion, timing/counting, and
communications are used.
