Wants to learn PIC programming, needs system

E

EINREB

Member
I like to learn how to program those little PIC chips, but am at loss where to start. I am proficient in assembly language programming, and I need assembly software (not for C), an IDE system and some books on how to do it. There are many of those on the Web, but I have a hard time selecting something that I can use. I like to build or buy a complete starter system for a reasonable price to use with 8 bit PICs.
Suggestions anybody?
 
EINREB said:
I like to learn how to program those little PIC chips, but am at loss where to start. I am proficient in assembly language programming, and I need assembly software (not for C), an IDE system and some books on how to do it. There are many of those on the Web, but I have a hard time selecting something that I can use. I like to build or buy a complete starter system for a reasonable price to use with 8 bit PICs.
Suggestions anybody?
Click to expand...

First off, I would not really recommend PIC. I mean yeah ~10 years ago they were fantastic, but now adays with higher level programmable chips like Atmel AVR, Arduino, TI MSP, PSOC, OS PID, and that other one I can't remember off the top of my head PICs really have fallen by the wayside.

Then again, if you're already proficient in assembly, why not!

However, there are a metric ton of sources on the internet. I'm confused as to why you're having trouble finding kits, instructions, or sources for the aforementioned.

I suppose I can give some suggestions? And by that I mean link to the first result in Google.

USB Pic Programmer.
 
Thanks for your comments, KOBAJ. I have Googled what you suggested before, and like you said, there is a TON of info on the Internet, and that is the trouble. I do not quite know how to make a choice out of all that information so that I get something that I can use and am not wasting my money on something that turned out not what I wanted.
I am actually looking for something like the STAMP system of development kits, but then for PICs. PICs have a much larger selection and are also much less expensive than STAMPS are. I have several of them, but they just do not do what I want, I need much more I/O pins than they have.
Also, I am not interested in higher level program languages, AL, (or maybe BASIC) is just fine with me for what I want. AL takes less memory to do things.
With all the above in mind, any suggstions where to look?
 
Oh ok, I think I see what you're saying. I had a Stamp waaay back (those things sucked xP) and from what I recall it had the programmable chip, a breadboard, and software to program it.

A PIC equivalent would probably be PICDEM Lab Development Kit.

[YT]2x8ZNJqkybo[/YT]
 
KOBAJ-You have it right, that is the kind of tool I was looking for. Thanks for the lead.
I will look into it further, it looks interesting from what I saw in your video.

BTW Following the lead you gave me I checked out other development boards on MICROCHIP wbsite. I saw this one that is less expensive and might fit the bill. It is the DV164131 PicKit 3.
Unfortunately, I have problems with the Website, anytime I click on "more information" on any product, nothing happens, so I am unable to get more information on this kit. Are you by any chance familiar with it?
 
Last edited:
The Link works for me.

I don't see a 'more information' button, but I guess I can copy and paste the above website's content...
The PICkit 3 allows debugging and programming of PIC(R) and dsPIC(R) Flash microcontrollers using the powerful graphical user interface of the MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and it does this all at a most affordable price point. This kit includes the 44-pin demo board with a PIC18F45K20 microcontroller, a USB cable, and a CD that includes the following:

PICkit 3 Debugger/Programmer
PICkit 3 Users Guide
A series of 12 lessons on assembly programming that cover I/O, A/D converters, timers, interrupts, and data tables (All source code files are provided)
A Debugging Tutorial on using the PICkit 3 as a debugger with the MPLAB IDE
Microchips FREE MPLAB IDE software and C Compiler for a complete code development environment

69.99$ per unit
Click to expand...
 
KOBAJ -Thanks for the quote. There is something wrong with my IE in my main XP computer, the link to "more information" on the pages lead to no where, (blank white screen that never changes) no matter what subject on any page it is on. Also all videos just produce just a green blank screen, but with audio. I have to check with a local guru to see what is going on.
I have a secondary computer that is in the building stage (all components on a piece of wood with a sheet of aluminium, no cage, but it is working) that is running 7, I have to try to use that one.
I think that indeed, the PICkit 3 is what I am after and I am looking into that. I have another one chip MCU made by ATRIA that is doing what I want, but it is a little too big in size for my use. Since it is a surface mount 80 pin chip, they had to mount it on a 2.5X2.5 PCB with access pins to be able to use it.
Also, it has also an BASIC interperter build into it, which takes a great amount of available memory, and that tends to limit how big your own program can be.
I rather have someting that is just a CPU/ROM/RAM kind of chip that runs straight machine code, which then is generated in the PC with an assembler and downloaded.
The above kit seems to fit those requirements.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top