getting started with uProcesors

Hey all;

I've been noticing a few posts here and there that refer to PICs and other
uProcessors, and was thinking about experimenting a bit with them. What do
you need to get started? How do you program the uP? Are the components
expensive?

Thanks

 

tempus fugit skrev:

If you do not know C or assembly, you can use a PICAXE.
It is programmed in basic, using a serial cable and some resistors, so
inexpensive.
Its somewhat slow and limited compared to the real thing though.
http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ All needed parts with a few chips will
probaly end in 20$

For the real thing you need pic programmer, and compiler if its not
included with the chip you choose, but I dont know enough about them to
give the complete story.


/Jan

 

They're fun, though there's a bit of a learning curve.

You write a program, compile it to machine code,
then send the code to the uP via the programmer.
Apply power to the uP and your code runs.

The chips can be $2 or less for a good learner model.
The programming hardware can be $20-30 to build your
own. A commercial all-in-one hardware/software IDE
can be $80-300.

You need:
- a hardware programmer device (commercial or homebrew)
it connects to your computer via USB/serial/parport,
and you plug your micro into it.
- a code compiler (commercial, shareware or freeware)
- a micro (of course)

There are probably hundreds of code editors/compilers
and IDE's available online. C, Assembly Language and
Basic are the most popular 'human-readable' languages
for uP's.

There are schematics for programmer modules online if
you want to build it yourself, but you could encounter
compatibility problems mixing Joe's Ultimate Compiler
with Steve's Universal Programmer. YMMV.

Me, I chickened out and went commercial; I got the
PicKit II from MicroChip. It had the hardware, micro,
software AND lots of tutorials and sample programs
(Assembly). Easy to install, hooks up to a USB port on
my Windows box. I'm sure others will recommend other
packages for other micros.

 

A good intro can be found:
http://www.voti.nl/swp/n_index.html
Sells also PICs, programmers and some more electronics.

Another site with programmer can be found:
http://www.oshonsoft.com/picprog.html

These are only some examples. There's much, much more on the net.

petrus bitbyter

 

Aren't there any programmer software /hardware running on Linux?
Regards
Zoot

 

Wouter van Ooijens Wisp program(mer) is based on Python, so it would run
under Linux.

petrus bitbyter

 

PICs have a large market share, but go to AVRfreaks.net and read a few
messages about how great the AVR microcontrollers are and easy to
program and on and on.