8/16 bit microcontoller circuit and software sources

I need a book with 8/16 bit microcontroller circuits and someway of programming them using my PC. Anyone know where I can find this info? Motzey

Hi,

Need more info - what type of micro is popular /easy to buy where you are Pic, Avr etc ?

What programming language do you want to use Assembler, C , Basic etc etc ?

Do you want to build most of your own hardware or buy a development board ready made ?

What kind of start up budget are you thinking ok ..?

WP100 -I am well versed in electronics but new to microcontrollers.
The following list is what I want to accomplish:

1 Use my laptop running Vista to program the micro.
2 The micro will be used to receive the data from a remote location
aproximately 1,000 ft away.
3 The laptop wiil be used to display the data the micro receives.
4 I wil need to monitor 24 temps plus 12 contacts.
5 I can program in Basic,fortran and would like to try C or whatever
lanuage you think best.
6 I will buy a development board--what do think is a good micro and compiler.
7 I think a 16 or 32 bit micro will do the job--what do think.
Appreciate any ideas you have. Motzey

hi

i think, PIC32MX5XX/5XX/7XX Series Microcontroller is best for your application
This micro produced by Microchip company
and it(Microchip) also provide stater kit

i think it is best for u

Hi motzey,
Since you already know BASIC, I suggest you stick to it as mikroElektronika has mikroBASIC which is a fantastic compiler for BASIC language. You can use this to program 8 bit PIC/AVR, 16 bit dsPIC/PIC24.
I think even an 8bit micro can do your job, although may be programming will be easier with 16bit. No need for 32bit as it'd just be overkill.
Now you just need to know how to receive data from the "station" 1000ft away.
You can use either PIC/AVR. Both are amazing, although I must admit, over here AVR has a huge price advantage over the PIC.
You might build your own PCB for this.
Since you already know BASIC, try your hands on mikroBASIC. I've used it and I'm satisfied.

Hope this helped.
Tahmid.

Hi,

Well I only have experience of the Micriochip Pics, so can only advise on them.

If you want to use your project with your laptop that effectivley means via USB and therefor programming in Microchip C.

For a low cost simple programmer the Microchip Pickit2 is the one to go for - there is the newer Pickit3 but that is still overpriced and under developed to many folks annoyance.

Microchip do many USB connectable development boards for the whole range of their chips, with either an external or onboard programmer, but as you will be wanting to integrate USB into you program as well then see their USB section first.

As for your project specifics, well 1000ft rf transmission if beyond my experience I have only use 433mhz modules which are said to do upto 500ft.

You do not say what type of temp sensors you are using analogue or digital but I do not know of any pic micro chip that has more than 16 analogue pins so you might have to consider extra hardware if you are using analogue sensors.

As to which chip , well it all depends on your specific I/O needs and the speed to do it, possibly even the simpler 8 bit Pic 18 range would be ok.

Cannot really be any more specific as your project parameters are too vague and this is hampered by your current lack of micro knowledge.

Probably if you had time to learn to program with a dev board then you would be able to understand how to develop you hardware project better.

As for books on C there are a lot out there but Microchip seem to be pushing the Lean to Fly the Pic24 book quiet heavily.

hth