Can i use PIC16F84 to design Optical power meter..

Basically my project is like this.as u know u i need to design a low cost optical power meter..i will be using a photodiode as a sensor for an optical source....i will be using fiber optic to drive the optic source to photodiode...
after tht PIC playsl the role to convert voltage levels to digital signal through PIC
A/D converter....then i need to diaplay it through LED 7 segment..
so can i use PIC16F84??and if possible..from whr can i get advice to choose the right photodiode(sensor) an also compatible optic source..i need advice on tht too?the sensor should be able to connect with fiber optic to the source..
thnx..
what language or source code i can use to programme the PIC?

You should select a photodiode which is built-in to one of common optical fiber connectors, ST, for example.
The mos common wave length in optical fibre is 850nm, 1310nm and 1550nm. You will probably find a diode which will cover 1310nm and 1550nm but will be not suitable for 850nm. So it looks like you will need to use two diodes to cover the whole range ..
Depending on how accurately you want to measure power consider external 16-bit ADC. You can try www.maxim-ic.com for ADC converters ..
And, if you go for external ADC then you can select any microcontroller including PIC 84 ..
As far as programing language is concerned, you can start with assembly, or if you have knowladge of C or (PIC)Basic you can write software using them as well ..
Regards,
IanP

Hi

Do it the easy way ,all you have to do is to get one TSL2550 and connect it directly to PIC using I2C Master slave

The TSL2550 is low cost optical power sensor in SO8 package


All the best

Bobi