Tuesday, August 18, 2009

How to choose/select a PIC microcontroller


Each type of PIC microcontroller provides a different combination of features, thus the most suitable can be selected for any given application. Some of the main selection criteria are:

•number of I/O pins availbale
•program memory size
•program memory type (ROM, EPROM, Flash)
•EEPROM data memory
•timers (8-bit or 16-bit), CCP
•interrupt sources
•analog inputs (8-bit or 10-bit)
•serial communication interfaces (USART, SPI, I2C, CAN)
•internal oscillator
•in-circuit debugging
•package (DIP, SOIC, PLCC, QFP)
•price


When developing an embedded system, the number and type of inputs and outputs need to be determined. After the hardware requirements have been established, the program need to be written and tested. Once the size of the program known, the chip memory size can be determined.

Please click the link for more information on how to choose PIC microcontroller

Note: The picture from www.microchip.com

Friday, August 7, 2009

PIC programmer


Hello again,

Today I will "talk" about PIC microcontroller programmer.

A PIC programmer is a unit which interfaces the PCto the PIC microocntroller using PC's serial, parallel or USB ports. PIC programmer writes data to the microcontroller and reads it back for verification.

With In-Circuit Programmer (ICP) the PIC microocntroller does not need to be transfer from PIC programmer to the board. The user can program and/or re-program the PIC microcontroller while it is in the circuit.


See you soon.