Microcontroller Programming

For quite some time I had been afraid to use these devices because I didn't know how to program them and even if I learned, assembly language programming wasn't for me. I'd done that in college and while it was fun, it is a pain. But not long ago I decided the time was right for me to jump in. I did some research and finally purchased two Microchip 16C84's and a programmer from ITU Technologies (they are now out of business). But before I purchased, I made sure I could use some other language like C or even BASIC to program them. No use loosing all your hair at one time, you know. I found the PIC Basic Compiler from Micro Engineering Labs to be an absolutely wonderful product!

Once I got one program to work, I realized the true power of these little devices. Never again will I use a 555 timer for counting - it's just too easy not to!

For those who are wanting to get their feet wet using Basic Stamps, that is fine. However, the following file has some documentation on execution speed - microcontrollers are much faster than Stamps - as well as a nifty project (kind of like my Moving LED Sign page): StampApp14.PDF

Another good article on beefing up microcontrollers and Stamps to enable them to control much larger loads by using transistors is found here: StampApp6.PDF

And a bunch of other Stamp applications can be found on the Nuts & Volts website: Stamp Applications

Getting Started

The following is a basic list of what you need to get started:

programming skills

some computer skills (like issuing commands at a DOS prompt)

a PC (that would mean a Personal Computer - IBM clone)

2 microcontrollers (16C84s are what I currently use. You'll want to get two because you can switch them back and forth as you debug your program, speeding up development time. I would recommend getting these from Jameco) Cost $7 each.

4MHz crystal and two 22pF capacitors. (you can get these at various electronic parts stores, even Radio Shack. Again, I would recommend Jameco. Get a free catalog from them first) Cost about $4-5 total.

A microcontroller programmer (got mine from ITU Technologies in kit form. Please go ahead and get a power supply and definitely get a Zero-Insertion Force (ZIF) chip socket! You'll take those chips in and out of the programmer many times! If you have a cable to go from a parallel port to this device with almost ALL the conductors in it, good! Otherwise get the cable, too. A typical cable doesn't have all the pins needed to do the job) Cost $39 programmer in kit form + $15 for socket + $6 for power supply + $6 data cable= $66. If you purchase the preassembled one and add the other parts to it, you'd end up with $59+6+6+15=$86!  However, ITU Technologies has gone out of business.  So check out Jameco's product offering.

PIC Basic Compiler (here's the BASIC language for PICs I mentioned above. It makes life SO simple compared to assembly programming. Got mine straight from Micro Engineering Labs but getting it from Jameco saves you $10. It is almost 100% compatible with Basic Stamps as well!) Cost $99 from manufacturer.

I've since upgraded to the PIC Basic Professional compiler.  It has a host of features that aren't included in the above mentioned PIC Basic Compiler.  Cost $249 from manufacturer and definitely well worth it!

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Created on 3/31/98 / Last modified on 09/21/00
by Drew Hickman / drew@hickmans.net