Introduction - How I got into using the PIC 16F628, 16F876 and other processors
Hi, I have been working with computers for the last 20 years. I used to work for a company that made a simple word processor. Part of the system involved the use of the Zilog Z8 single chip microprocessor. We used them to interface to a variety of non standard keyboard and printer combinations. Later we used Hitachi processors in a similar role. Using these chips was a lot of fun, they formed the glue in many experimental projects and a few that actualy made it into limited production. With the mass adoption of the PC and the evolution of both the technology its production, the company moved to buying in standard boards.
My interests also became PC centred and with the Internet and the (then) emerging Linux operating system, there was (and still is) much to keep me occupied.
Recently, I noticed that it is possible to buy small single chip processors like the Microchip PIC 16F628 and 16F876 processors from internet distributors, some of them selling the product on eBay!
The availability of these chips for a few pounds or less re-kindled my interest in using them. A few searches on eBay and google revealed that it was possible to re-explore development with these chips on a hobby basis for the outlay of a few pounds.
An Internet Search often brings Unexpected Results
I had begun research eBay, something I'd been meaning to get around to do for months! I had found that although you can just 'set up shop' on eBay, you are much more likely to succeed if you begin by first making a few purchases - a) to learn the system, and b) to gain feedback that will show others that you do actually know the system and use it properly.
I was looking for PC small gadgets and stumbled over the electronics sections - people selling many of the components I used to use, those available in the local Maplin store (if we ever had one where I lived).
I checked a copy of Everyday and Practical Electronics and found the Microchip PIC processor is often used in the projects they publish - I now end up buying a copy when it comes out - and began my eBay purchases with a small programmer a few of the smaller ( PIC 12F675, 16F84 - 16F628) chips.
I also noticed that my soldering iron - neglected for a few years was in no shape to work (properly) with the small devices - a search of the local stores turned up nothing suitable in my budget, so it was back to ebay and a 'cheap' soldering kit was ordered. Although nothing special, the soldering Iron, flimsy stand and small quantity of solder turned out very usable and again only cost a few pounds.
Regenerating the 'Junk Box'
In the past, I had what I considered to be a fully stocked 'junk box' of random parts from older projects and bits of old circuit board salvaged from here and there. Several years later, and through lack of interest (and with a little regret) most of the 'junk box' had been consigned to the bin (in order to please the other half and make room for new interests).
What I did have was a few old bits of computer and an old but unused answer phone. These provided me with a range of transistors, resistors capacitors and diodes to play with.
Supplementing the 'Junk Box'
There were however a few parts needed that could not be lifted from old PCBs. Sockets for the chips, 5volt regulators and ceramic resonators that would reliably clock the PIC chips at a known frequency (most of the PIC chips will work with an internal clock source, but for high speed rs232 communications, an external crystal or resonator is required). Again, eBay came up trumps with a selection of the required parts at minimal cost - and I was furthering my eBay investigations, learning the system and acquiring positive feedback with every purchase.
Phill Sibson, picprojects@247n.com
Introduction
About the PIC Processor
Programing the PIC
Building Blocks
PIC Test Rig
Connecting an LCD
VoipDeskPhone
VoipDeskPhone the Software
VoipDeskPhone3 Changes for use as an Asterisk Console Phone
Cheap PIC Keypad PoundShop Clock / Alarm = Cheap Keypad
3 State LEDs
Add DRAM to a PIC
PIC Links
New Site
www.projectnotes.co.uk
PIC I2C Slave to OpenWrt Router & other PIC Info
