Programming PICs in Basic

Programming PICs in BASIC
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If you wanted to learn how to program microcontrollers then you’ve found the right book. Microchip PIC microcontrollers are being designed into electronics throughout the world and none is more popular than the 8-pin version. Now the home hobbyist can create projects with these little microcontrollers using a low cost development tool called the CHIPAXE system and the BASIC software language. Chuck Hellebuyck introduces how to use this development setup to build useful projects with an 8-pin PIC12F683 microcontroller. All the projects include a detailed schematic and directions of how to build the hardware on a breadboard. Then he details how to write the software so you not only recreate the project but also learn how to write and modify the program. His down to earth style leaves you feeling comfortable and capable to create your own unique project ideas.

Inside you’ll learn about:
•    Controlling digital outputs by driving LEDs and Speakers
•    Sensing digital inputs by monitoring switches
•    Sensing analog signals using an Analog to Digital converter
•    How to sense light and vibration
•    How to make sound
•    How to write software using the PICBASIC PRO language

Each project ends with questions to test your knowledge so this book can even be used in the classroom. Future volumes are in the works as well so this is just the beginning of your journey to learning how to Program PICs in BASIC. 

INTRODUCTION    5
CHAPTER 1 – MICROCONTROLLER FUNDAMENTALS    7
WHAT IS A MICROCONTROLLER?    7
HOW DOES A MICROCONTROLLER WORK?    8
WHAT IS A BASIC LANGUAGE COMPILER?    10
HOW DOES THE MICROCONTROLLER ACTUALLY GET PROGRAMMED?    11
IN-CIRCUIT SERIAL PROGRAMMING    13
ICSP HARDWARE INTERFACE    14
ICSP PIN-OUT    17
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE    19
INSTALLING MICROCODE STUDIO AND PICBASIC PRO    20
PROGRAMMER SETUP    28
CHAPTER 2 – FLASH AN LED    37
HARDWARE    37
SOFTWARE    39
NEXT STEPS    43
QUESTIONS    44
CHAPTER 3 – LED TRAFFIC LIGHT    45
HARDWARE    45
SOFTWARE    46
NEXT STEPS    49
QUESTIONS    50
CHAPTER 4 – SENSING A SWITCH    51
HARDWARE    52
SOFTWARE    53
NEXT STEPS    55
QUESTIONS    56
CHAPTER 5 - READ A POTENTIOMETER    5 7
HARDWARE    58
SOFTWARE    59
NEXT STEPS    63
QUESTIONS    64
CHAPTER 6 - SENSING LIGHT    65
HARDWARE    66
SOFTWARE    67
NEXT STEPS    70
QUESTIONS    71
CHAPTER 7 – CREATING SOUND    73
HARDWARE    74
SOFTWARE    75
NEXT STEPS    77
QUESTIONS    78
CHAPTER 8 – SENSING VIBRATION    79
HARDWARE    80
SOFTWARE    81
NEXT STEPS    85
QUESTIONS    86
CONCLUSION    87
APPENDIX A –PARTS LIST FOR PROJECTS    89
APPENDIX B – ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS    91
INDEX    93