Introduction: Intro to PIC Microcontrollers

About: www.leevonk.com

a minimum of what you need to get started programming PIC micros for use in electronics projects (robotics, etc)

Step 1: What You Need for the Project

NOTE: seems like if you have windows XP, there is no free PIC programmer software that can download code to your PIC throught the serial port. This meens you will have to buy or make a more expensive USB programmer circuit. If you have DOS on windows 95, the stuff below will work.

Look at the list of stuff you need below. Then look at the picture I made below. It has everything on it you need to get started with Pic micros. You can see how to make a simple circuit with the PIC and an LED, you can see code for a simple program, and you can see instructions on how to put the code onto your PIC. Once the code is downloaded onto your PIC, put your PIC back into the LED circuit, give it power, and watch the LED blink, whee!

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TO BE ABLE TO READ THE DIAGRAM, CLICK ON THE 'i' IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE PICTURE, THEN CLICK 'largest' (ON THE LEFT OF THE PAGE), THEN CLICK THE PICTURE.
Also, download the PIC16F877StarterProject.zip It contains a more detailed picture.
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==========Stuff used in this project:==========
(I am in no way saying you have to buy the things below, they just happen to be what I used when I started with PICs)

a PIC16F877
This is a PIC microcontroller. It's a mini-computer.
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=74

a PIC-PG2B JDM programmer
This is a circuit board which interfaces your computer to your PIC so you can program it (I bought one off ebay for around $15).
http://www.olimex.com/dev/pic-pg2b.html

PICBasic
This is the compiler used in this demo to (similar to Basic language) program the PIC.
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/
You could also use the -free- PICClite compiler (similar to C language).
http://www.htsoft.com/products/PICClite_comparison.php
You could also use a free assembly language compiler (assembly language is annoying).

IC-Prog
This program allows you to download your code to the PIC.
http://www.ic-prog.com/

USB to Serial Adapter
If you're using windowsXP you'll probably have problems using your serial ports (I did). A USB to serial converter (I have the 'Aten USB to Serial Adapter') may help.

one LED

one 4mhz chrystal oscillator

two 22pf capacitors

one 4.7k resistor

one 470 ohm resistor

one 5v power supply

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Here's a Great PIC Intro Book
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