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Category Archives: Embedded Labs

Digital I/O Ports in PIC16F688

Posted on October 11, 2010 by R-B 3 comments

PIC16F688 is a 14-pin flash-based, 8-bit microcontroller. It can be obtained in different packages, but the DIP (Dual In-line Package) version is recommended for prototyping. The figure below shows a PIC16F688 microcontroller in DIP chip, and its pin outs. Most of the pins are for input and output, and are arranged as PORTA (6) and PORTC (6), giving a total of 12 I/O pins. All of these can operate as simple digital I/O pins but they do have more than one function. For example, eight of total 12 I/O pins also serve as analogue inputs for the internal analog-to-digital converter

Hardware and Software requirements

Posted on October 10, 2010 by R-B 7 comments

The development of an embedded system requires some hardware and software products. Although the hardware requirements depend on the type and complexity of the project, the following hardware tools are required in all of the experiments we are going to discuss here. A solderless breadboard for constructing and testing the experimental circuits. The breadboard is chosen because it is reusable. You can change, modify or remove the components on it at any time. While an embedded system is in development phase, you never know in advance whether or not your circuit will function correctly when assembled. So it is always good to

Lab 2: Basic digital input and output

Posted on October 10, 2010 by R-B 21 comments

Description Today we will learn how to read digital inputs from a push button switch. A digital input has only two values: 1 and 0. The configuration of the push button switch is same as that of the reset switch except it goes to a different port pin. The status of the switch will be read through RC1 and every time when it is pressed, an LED connected to RC0 will be toggled ON and OFF. Required Theory You must be familiar with the digital I/O ports of PIC16F688 and their direction settings. If you are not, read Digital I/O

Getting ready for the first lab

Posted on October 9, 2010 by R-B 12 comments

This is to be followed after you have successfully completed the following steps: Installed mikroC Pro for PIC on your PC. Installed the programmer software that came with your PIC programmer. If you have got an iCP01 USB PIC programmer from iCircuit Technologies, you should install Microchip’s PICkit programming software. Got a breadboard and a regulated +5V power source. Basic setup on the breadboard As mentioned before all the experimental circuits will be constructed on the breadboard because it is easy to modify the circuit and correct any wiring error. Figure 1 shows the pin diagrams of PIC16F688. It is

Regulated Power Supply for Your Breadboard

Posted on October 6, 2010 by R-B 9 comments

Embedded systems require electric power to operate. Most of the components in them including the processors can operate at a wide range of voltages. For example, the operating voltage range for PIC16F688 is from 2 to 5.5 V. It means you can supply power from three AA size batteries (4.5 V) and it will work just fine as long as the battery voltage doesn’t fall below 2 V. But there are certain applications where you need a regulated constant voltage for safer operation of the embedded system. For instance, any application that uses analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). ADCs require a fixed